President Pennybaker

What if a boy ran for president and won?

Being a kid isn't easy, just ask Luke Pennybaker. Chores, school, homework, and more chores. Who needs it? Sent to his room for a time-out, Luke devises a plan to run for president and make like fair for kids once and for all.

As "Pennies for Pennybaker" builds momentum, Luke's campaign takes hold across America. Being president of the United States is all a kid could hope for - or is it?

Completely plausible and surprising, Kate Feiffer and Diane Goode's spirited collaboration is sure-fire inspiration for presidential hopefuls across the land.

Publishers Weekly

Adding to the slate of presidential-election titles, Feiffer's (Henry the Dog with No Tail) spirited picture book introduces a fresh-faced candidate, plucky Luke Pennybaker. Fed up with the blatant unfairness at home (no TV time, even after he's done his chores), Luke and his running mate, Lily the dog, represent the Birthday Party, espousing a platform of messy rooms all around as well as cake, ice cream and pets for everyone. When their message ("Be fair!") catches on, Luke and Lily find themselves in the White House (painted orange at Luke's request)-which may not be ideal after all. Goode's (Baby Face) airy, pale-hued watercolors cleverly set the context. Seemingly realistic, the illustrations are blithely anachronistic, mixing black-and-white TVs, sputtering jalopies, a 1940s police uniform and knee-length boys' trousers-a faux-historical setting just right for a tale framed as "the story of how Luke Pennybaker became the youngest boy ever to run for president." The line between fantasy and real-world politics stays clear, leaving readers free to enjoy the fun. Ages 4-8. (Aug.)

Kate Feiffer is a writer, a filmmaker, and a mother. The New York Times Book Review heralded Ms. Feiffer “economy of style and understated wit” in her debut picture book Double Pink, illustrated by Bruce Ingman. She is the author of Henry the Dog with No Tail and Which Puppy? both illustrated by her father, Jules Feiffer, President Pennybaker and My Mom is Trying to Ruin My Life both illustrated by Diane Goode, as well as The Wild, Wild Inside, illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith and The Problem with the Puddles, a middle grade novel illustrated by Tricia Tusa. Ms. Feiffer and her family live on Martha's Vineyard, MA. Visit her at katefeiffer.com.

Diane Goode is the illustrator of dozens of beloved and critically acclaimed picture books including several written by Cynthia Rylant, Alligator Boy; When I Was Young in the Mountains, a Caldecott Honor Book; and most recently, Baby Face: A Book of Love for Baby. She is also the illustrator of President Pennybaker and My Mom is Trying to Ruin My Life both by Kate Feiffer and Louise the Big Cheese: Divine Diva and Louise the Big Cheese and the La Di Da Shoes both by Elise Primavera. She lives and works in Watchung, NJ with her husband, David, and their two dogs, Jack and Daisy. Visit her at www.dianegoode.com