Revolutionary Mary

The True Story of One Woman,

the Declaration of Independence,

and America's Fight for Freedom

A TRUE TALE WITH

A CHERRY ON TOP

Roaring Brook Press

(MacKids)

pub. 2.18.2025

40 pages

Ages 4 - 8

Author: Karen Blumenthal and

Jen McCartney

   Illustrator: Elizabeth Baddeley

Character: Mary Katharine Goddard

Overview:

"Who was Mary Katharine Goddard?

Born in 1738, she was homeschooled by her mother in reading and math. She took over her brother’s printing shop a few years later and became an expert in printing newspapers, essays, and posters.

When the American Revolution started, she published important news that helped the fight against the British – even if it meant that if she was caught, she’d be punished for treason. In 1776, Mary was asked to print the Declaration of Independence – she is the only woman whose name is on the Declaration."

Tantalizing taste:

"She wanted to put her mark on this document [The Declaration of Independence] even if it would be considered treason. She wasn't just M.K. She was Mary.

That was daring.

That was revolutionary.

That was…

M-A-R-Y POUND!*POUND!*POUND!

K-A-T-H-A-R-I-N-E

CRANK, WHOOSH! CRANK, WHOOSH!

G-O-D-D-A-R-D

And something more: Jen McCartney in the Author's Note explains: "When my mom, Karen Blumenthal passed away unexpectedly in 2020, my family and I knew there was so much more work that she'd wanted to share with the world. She had written a draft of this, her first picture book, and was excited about its possibilities. My mom and I had always talked about writing a picture book together, and so I dove into her draft and research to finish the project.

Mary's story explored many topics my mom was passionate about: feminism, defiance in the face of stacked odds, a free press, and characters in history who are so often forgotten. In

working on this book, I was also struck by the mother – daughter relationship between Mary and Sarah.… It was an honor to finish this project and finally get to collaborate with my mom."