Judith St. George
Illustrations by David Small
With the election over, kids (and adults) may want to consider some Presidents from the past. St. George covers executives from Washington to George W. Bush, dividing them into unexpected groups based on questions readers might ask. What’s good about being President? For one thing, you don’t have to eat yucky broccoli. What’s bad? People get mad at the President (someone threw a cabbage at Taft) and the President always has to be dressed up--McKinley wore a frock coat, carnation, and top hat. What’s the most popular first name? It’s James! Highest number of siblings? Benjamin Harrison had eleven. Presidents come in all sizes, with varying abilities and surprising pets. Small’s wicked caricatures (winning him a Caldecott Medal) let readers imagine intellectual Woodrow Wilson dancing a tango, while Warren Harding puffs away on a Sousaphone and FDR converses genially with John Adams. A fascinating book including statistics for each President and some thoughtful comments!
2004, All Ages
Check it out from your library using the library catalog. Donate to an improved Sebastopol Regional Library here.
Recommended by: Barbara Talcroft
Barbara Talcroft reviews children’s books professionally for childrenslit.com and for Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database. She has a Master’s degree in International Children’s Literature. She also has many years’ experience as a teacher. Barbara is one of the founders of LANTERN and its past chairperson.