Old Ironsides, Americans Build a Fighting Ship....

Old Ironsides, Americans Build a Fighting Ship by David Weitzman gives a first hand account of the process used to build one of America's first navy frigates, the U.S.S. Constitution.  The story is told through the eyes of John Aylwin, a boy whose father is one of the ship's carpenters,  Weitzman's story will draw you in.  His black and white illustrations are phenomenal.

Coming off last year's study of the American Revolution, Old Ironsides...was the perfect segue to learn about our new nation at the turn of the century.   The process of building an American warship in the late 1790's was really quite amazing.  The Constitution weighed in at 1,576 tons, carried 44 guns, and was made from more than 1,000 trees.  Weitzman's description of selecting just the right oak trees for the masts, creating the casting of the cannon, and sewing more than two acres of sail are fascinating.  I highly recommend this picture book!