Children's Literature
- Susan Treadway M.Ed.
Kid-friendly in that it combines fun facts with sound historical data and context, this title will be a welcome addition to any classroom or school/public library. As a quick reference, for single or group work, to launch further study, and introducing material, readers can appreciate a light-hearted approach. Students will find both general and specific information about a variety of topics primarily in social studies, but also art and science. Specifically in this case, presidents are lively personalities as presented through colorful, bright cartoon-like illustrations. Embellished fonts, photo frames, and other fanciful drawings make the book delightful, especially with unique components that reflect each president. Similar formatting and style in the series include an introductory letter "From the desk of Ms. Brandt" with a note of response from students that suggests an actual report. They tell the teacher an antidote or two about the project and what they learned. Next, "Who can be president"? "What is the job, exactly?" and "The Presidential Oath of Office" is provided for American history context. From President George Washington through President Barack Obama, there is a brief background about each one along with various handwritten tidbits featuring their diverse time in office. Also, "Before he was president..." and "Did you know this?" are included for a means of comparison and to enhance biographies. The book contains several other sections to round out an historical perspective. "The White House" shows a basic inside look around the famous building with a few special extras given. "Vice Presidents," "First Ladies," and "The Presidents' Kids" tell about related aspects of a president's tenure in America's highest elected position. "Is it a fun job to be president?" Perhaps, since almost one dozen reasons are listed. "Can a president be fired or lose their job?" Yes, indeed. "How do former presidents spend retirement years?" Several stories relate interesting and sometimes unexpected answers. Next, there is a map of the U.S. showing where presidents were born and some geographic features. The book concludes with a bibliography to indicate sources used by the student group to deliver their "report." Full of facts, general statistics and fascinating trivia, books in the "Smart About..." series are quite engaging. Reviewer: Susan Treadway, M.Ed.
Publishers Weekly
Also encouraging political awareness this election year is Smart About the Presidents by Jon Buller, Susan Schade and others. This companion to Smart About the 50 States now focuses on each of the presidents, as if a student were delivering a report in school, with cartoon illustrations and childlike handwriting. Facts about the White House, the vice-presidents and first ladies, and impeachment round out this educational and inviting paperback. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
School Library Journal
Gr 3-5-Both of these basic books begin with the same letter from a teacher to her class about doing a group report. What follows are cartoon illustrations with dialogue bubbles and brief texts about each figure. In First Ladies, for example, Mary Todd Lincoln explains that "Abraham scolded me for shopping too much"; Rachel Jackson informs readers that, "There was a scandal over my divorce to my first husband and it caused me great shame." In Presidents, readers learn that Clinton loved golf, peanut butter and banana, and fast food, and that Bush banned broccoli from the White House. Both books are far better for browsing than for gleaning much information. Amy Pastan's First Ladies (DK, 2001), Sydelle A. Kramer's The Look-It-Up Book of First Ladies (Random, 2001), Kenneth C. Davis's Don't Know Much about the Presidents (HarperCollins, 2002), and Judith St. Georges's So You Want to Be President? (Philomel, 2000) are better choices.-Rebecca Luhman, Greece Central School District, Rochester, NY Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
