Casimir Pulaski was a Polish patriot who came to America to help the colonists win the American Revolution. An expert horseman from childhood, Pulaski gained battle experience trying to defend his homeland against the Russians. When both his father and brother were lost to the war, Pulaski left Poland looking for assistance in raising another army.
Unable to find help, he went to Benjamin Franklin, the American ambassador to France, and offered his services to the Americans. Franklin sent Pulaski to Gen. George Washington, who put him in charge of developing cavalry units and teaching his fighting techniques to the soldiers. His strategies helped turn the tide of the war and defeat the British, despite his untimely death in a raid at Savannah. Today, many communities honor Casimir Pulaski for his contributions to American independence. In Illinois, the first Monday of every March is celebrated as Casimir Pulaski Day.
About the Author
The late David Collins (1940-2001) wrote over sixty books for young readers and was an admired and respected educator. Believing that children can never have enough role models, Collins was dedicated to writing biographies for young readers to educate and entertain. His four other books with Pelican bear this. Casimir Pulaski: Soldier on Horseback, Clarence Thomas: Fighter with Words, Tiger Woods, Golf Superstar, and Tiger Woods, Golfing Champion have all earned praise from such publications as School Library Journal, the Book Report, the Polish American Journal, and the Catholic Post.
About the Illustrator
Larry Nolte has worked as a free-lance artist for the past fourteen years. An illustrator of several picture books, he resides in St. Louis, Missouri. He also illustrated Casimir Pulaski: Soldier on Horseback for Pelican.
HERO ON HORSEBACK
The Story of Casimir Pulaski
By David R. Collins
Illustrated by Larry Nolte
JUVENILE NONFICTION / Biography & Autobiography / Historical
32 pp. 8½ x 11
31 Color illustrations
ISBN: 9781565542662 hc