Module 6 - A Big Cheese for the White House

Book Cover Image

Book Summary

Cheshire, Massachusetts was known for their cheese. People came from all over to buy it. But then, there was competition in Connecticut. Norton, Connecticut was trying new things and being noticed by others, including President Jefferson. Cheshire's Elder John Leland had an idea that would ensure that Cheshire cheese was back on top. He got the whole town together to make a huge wheel of cheese and deliver it to the White House.

Written by Candace Fleming
Illustrated by S. D. Schindler

APA Reference of Book

Fleming, C. (1999). A big cheese for the White House. New York, NY: DK Publishing.

Impressions

This is a very cute historical fiction story. I was not sure I wanted to read a story about cheese, but this is a cute story about making things happen. The interactions between the Elder John and Phineas are very easy to relate to. I enjoy that the process for making cheese is discussed as they problem solve along the way. The illustrations really drive home the idea that this is historical fiction for readers. Without the pictures I think that readers would be even more likely to think the story is not based on facts, because they cannot relate to making cheese from milk. 

Professional Review

K-Gr 4-A little-known piece of American history is at the center of this humorous story. When the people of Cheshire, MA, hear that President Jefferson is eating cheddar made in Norton, CT, instead of their own, they decide to do something about it. Against all odds, they make a 1235-pound wheel of cheese and ship it to the president, who declares it the best that he has ever tasted, puts it in the record books, and serves it until it finally goes bad. Using a cast of amusing characters that include little Humphrey Crock, who is good at arithmetic; Elder John, the real-life mastermind of the scheme; and the doubting Phineas Dobbs, who scoffs every step of the way, Fleming makes this strange bit of history interesting and funny. Each of the characters has a distinct personality, and the watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations bring all of them to life. Schindler's detailed, cartoonlike artwork integrates well with the witty text. An author's note separates fact from fiction and explains what happened next. This book would be a great choice for classroom units on history, world records, cheese making, or even on succeeding at something that seems impossible. It's also a good bet for anyone looking to liven up historical fiction collections for the younger set.

Lilien-Harper, A., & Jones, T. E. (1999). A big cheese for the White House. School Library Journal, 45(8), 134.

Library Uses

It's all about the cheese. Cheshire was famous for their cheese. Other places are famous for thier cheeses also. Students can use the computer to determine where various cheeses, such as feta and brie are from.