PEW!: The Stinky And Legen-dairy Gift from Colonel Thomas S. Meacham

by Cathy Stefanec Ogren, Lesley Breen (Illustrator)

Overview

In 1835, Colonel Thomas S. Meacham wanted to give the president of the United States a present that celebrated the achievements of his upstate New York farming community. Believing that big is always better, he decided a colossal, legen-dairy gift was in order: a wheel of cheese measuring four feet in diameter, two feet thick, and weighing 1,400 pounds. Transporting the cheese to Washington D.C. was another big undertaking. It traveled by wagon and by ship, before being delivered to the White House on New Year's Day in 1836. But with a big cheese comes a big smell, and after a year the president had a stinky situation on his hands. How can he get rid of this cheesy gift? Readers of all ages will enjoy this slice of American history. Back matter includes science facts on cheese making.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781534111936
Publisher:	Sleeping Bear Press
Publication date:	03/15/2023
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	1,052,830
Product dimensions:	9.20(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	970L (what's this?)
Age Range:	7 - 8 Years

Editorial Reviews

2022-12-14
A literal big cheese’s trip to the White House.

In 1835, Col. Thomas S. Meacham, a landowner in Sandy Creek, New York, wanted to give a gift to President Andrew Jackson—something that would “show off the talents of his farming community.” He decided to prepare a very large cheese, a 1,400-pound cheese to be exact. “Four feet in diameter, two feet thick” (the illustrations take a bit of liberty on exaggerating cheese size—unless everyone back then was only 4 feet tall), the cheese made its way along rivers and canals until it reached its final destination in January 1836: the White House. There, it sat in splendor in the entrance hall slowly being consumed until, in the ensuing hot, humid summer, it began to stink. A lot. The president decided to have a cheese party on Washington’s birthday, Feb. 22. Ten thousand people came, and the cheese was finally finished. This narrative competently imparts the facts and relays the basics of cheesemaking. The illustrations vary among double-page spreads, spot illustrations, and single-page images, and while they are historically accurate in their depictions of dress and architecture, they lack a certain pizzazz overall, simply mirroring the narrative. Most people, including Meacham, are White; a few people of color are shown but mostly as workers (probably enslaved people). (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A slice of history, accurately presented. (further information, facts about cheese, selected sources) (Informational picture book. 6-9)

Kirkus Reviews