The White House

Children's Literature

According to the publisher, "The American Symbols" series explores the places and things that symbolize freedom and democracy in the United States and it explores and supports standards under "The History of the United States," as required by the National Center for History in the Schools. The books follow a good pattern. There is a table of contents, a fast facts page, the text and a timeline, a hands-on activity, words to know with a pronunciation guide and a listing of books and web sites. The publisher actually has set it up so that kids can go to their site and type in the ISBN number, title or keyword from the book and the "Fact Hound" will bring back appropriate information. When I tried that for this book, eight sites came up including one from The White House Historical Association, Eleanor Roosevelt's Tour of the White House, the Official White House site and lots more. The White House was not home to the first U S President—John Adams our second President and his wife were its first occupants. The book gives a brief run down on major changes and has a great picture of the State Dining Room. More than one million people visit the White House annually and they can see some of the rooms. The book is well laid out with just enough facts to hold kids attention. Each colorful spread has a photograph or reproduction showing the various parts of the house and events held there like the Easter Egg Roll. A useful and informative book for classrooms and libraries, even without the web links. 2003, Capstone,
— Marilyn Courtot