Module 3: So You Want to be President?

Module 3: (September 6-12)

St. George, J. (2000). So You Want to be President?. New York, NY: Philomel Books.

Summary: This book mixes well-known facts about the president, with many other lesser-known anecdotes and facts, from the number of presidents born in log cabins (eight), to the fact that Theodore Roosevelt’s children once took a Shetland pony upstairs in the White House via elevator to cheer up a sick sibling, to the fact that Howard Taft was so large (over 300 pounds), he had a customized bathtub built in the White House.

My Impressions: I learned so much from this book! I knew a couple of the presidential “oddities,” but I loved reading about the eccentricities and foibles of our many presidents. The text is funny in its understatements, and the quotes chosen from various presidents are often hilarious. There are numerous amusing asides in the illustrations as well, such as Mary Todd Lincoln’s terrified face when old Abe (who was apparently a terrible dancer) asks her to dance, or Warren Harding dressed as royalty as the winner of the “Presidential Beauty Contest.”

Reviews: “Curious tidbits of personal information and national history combine with humorously drawn caricatures to give this tongue-in-cheek picture book a quirky appeal. "There are good things about being President and there are bad things about being President." So begins a walk through a brief history of facts, successes, oddities, and mishaps…While the text exposes the human side of the individuals, the office of the presidency is ultimately treated with respect and dignity. A list of presidents with terms of office, birthplace, date of birth and death, and a one-sentence summary of their accomplishments is provided. This title will add spark to any study of this popular subject.”—Alicia Eames, New York City Public Schools. School Library Journal.*

“Thoughtful composition and layout both contribute to the lively visual presentation of this most original look at the presidency. The light tone of the book makes it possible for readers to absorb a great deal of information, some of it silly, but underlying the treatment is a sense of the significance and dignity of the office and the faith that children still aspire to be president.”—Carolyn Phelan. Booklist.*

*(Both reviews from this site.) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/B000CQKXR2/sr=1-1/qid=1290919132/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books&qid=1290919132&sr=1-1

—Winner of the Caldecott Medal, 2001.

Library Use: This book would not only be useful to “jazz up” a report on a president, but would also be a great way to introduce history to children, in a fun, interesting way. Off the top of my head, Lane Smith’s Madame President and John, Paul, George, & Ben would go great with this book. These could be put in a temporary display for president’s day, or could be made into a bibliography.

Image retrieved from: http://www.amazon.com/Want-President-WANT-PRESIDENT-Hardcover/dp/B002VKYU7G/ref=sr_1_19?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1290836349&sr=1-19