"Rip Van Winkle is perhaps one of the most enduring legends born out of the American Revolution. The subject of an 1819 short story by Washington Irving, Rip Van Winkle took a nap in the Catskill Mountains of New York and woke up 20 years later, having missed the entire war! In this book, young readers find out how the legendary story of Rip Van Winkle has its roots in older tales throughout history about progress and change. The text includes informative fact boxes and engaging language to encourage independent reading"--.