Book Choice: "So You Want to Be President?"
Author: Judith St. George
Illustrator: David Small
(1) This Caldecott Award winning book is quite literally made up of caricatures of presidents of the past. The illustrations are clear interpretations of what presidents such as George Bush, William Howard Taft, Andrew Jackson, and most of the other previous presidents look like. It was actually quite amusing! Additionally, the writing was quite clever and humorous. For example, one of the good things about being president is, "The President doesn't have to eat yucky vegetables. As a boy, George Bush had to eat broccoli. When George Bush grew up, he became President. That was the end of broccoli!" Most kids can relate to this feeling! Interesting facts are also presented in this story such as the number of presidents to be elected with the names of William (4), John (4), George (3), and James (6). Other quite amazing facts fill the remainder of the book and the illustrations could keep both young and old enchanted. There is even a brief summary toward the end of the book detailing each of the presidents. Try as I might, I have no complaints for this picture book!
(2) Facts always fascinate me. Facts that are grouped together neatly with hilarious illustrations are even more fascinating.
(3) While I haven't read any books written by Judith St. George or illustrated by David Small before, I do have a collection of historical books on government as I teach government in my class. This book definitely puts a more exciting spin on facts about the presidency. I plan to add it to my collection this summer!
(4) The presentation of these facts are in clever ways that I think most students would be able to recall many. For example, it will be difficult for me to forget that eight presidents were born in log cabins or that John Quincy Adams referred to his years as president as "The four most miserable years of my life!"
Images courtesy of http://images.google.com/
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