About U. S. Presidents    Every four years in the United States there is a presidential election. To provide a little background as to the prior election which may help with understanding this year's electioneering, the following books have been highlighted. In addition, two related features President's Day and Books about the Presidents may also provide additional insight. African-Americans & the Presidency: A History of Broken Promises Christopher B. Booker     President by president, Christopher B. Booker considers the race-related practices and policies of each of the 42 men who have held the nation's highest elected office. He presents a summary of each president's personal race-related decisions (for example, owning slaves) as well as their official actions (for example, taking action against race-related violence). The picture he paints is one of progress and, ultimately, hope for the future. This is interesting reading as the 43rd president takes office after a hotly-contested election that gave rise to many of these issues, including race, equality and civil rights. Includes black-and-white photographs and illustrations. 2000, Franklin Watts/Grolier, $25.00, Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Heidi Hauser Green Best Books: Senior High School Library Catalog, Sixteenth Edition, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States Senior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Fifteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States ISBN: 0-531-11882-7 Arthur Meets the President Marc Brown    Arthur's essay wins a contest and he has to read it to the President in a special ceremony at the White House. It is a terrifying prospect and the interaction betwwen Arthur and his sister D.W. plus the resolution to the "problem" will ring true to kids. IRA-CBC Children's Choice 1992. 1991, Little Brown, $15.95, $9.95 and $5.95, Ages 6 to 8. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-316-11044-2 ISBN: 0-316-11291-7 The Election of 2000 and the Administration of George W. Bush Editor, Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. Associate editors, Fred L. Israel & Jonathan H. Mann    In November 2000, Americans went to the polls in what was to become one of the most controversial presidential elections in US history. By the end of Election Day both Vice President Al Gore and Texas Governor George Bush were within a hair's breadth of victory. Results hinged upon who carried the electoral votes of Florida. Eventually, and by the narrowest of margins, Florida was awarded to George Bush. Over the next few weeks, controversy reigned as law suits and counter suits stood in sharp contrast to the usually clear results of American elections. In the end, the United States Supreme Court became involved and stopped the recounts that were being carried out in Florida. By a 5 to 4 vote, the Supreme Court of the land effectively selected George Bush as the President of the United States. The convoluted and controversial election of 2000 is reviewed in this work. Editor Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. provides a rather detailed account of the campaigns running up to election night as well as the controversy that ensued. This review encompasses the initial chapter of the text. What follows, and makes up the lion's share of the book, are a series of historical documents inclusive of legal opinions, presidential papers, and the transcripts of key speeches. Thus, while there is good information in this work, it really is not a very in depth look at the alleged topic. While useful as a research guide, the text lacks adequate coverage of the key topic--the election of 2000. 2003, Mason Crest Publishers, $24.95, Ages 14 up. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck ISBN: 1-5908-4365-7 Hail to the Chief: The American Presidency Don Robb Illustrated by Alan Witschonke    Written to accommodate different levels of understanding and reading, each page begins with several sentences that are simply written and printed in bold. Below these, in smaller type, are facts that give more depth about presidential powers and how presidents have used their offices to deal with issues, thus revealing the mechanics of government through individuals. The book explains how the job was inaugurated, how it has changed over time, and why the person in this position is considered one of the most important and powerful leaders in the world. From Washington to Clinton, leaders are recorded by deeds and with colorful, realistic illustrations. Robb's examples will pique interest that may lead to further discoveries and he provides books and web site references for children to do just that. Politicians and presidents don't just hatch when the office calls. They were once children and some of them wanted to lead moral lives from a young age. 2000, Charlesbridge, $16.95 and $7.95, Ages 8 to 10. Reviewer: Susie Wilde (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-881063-93-2 ISBN: 0-881063-92-4 If I were President Catherine Stier Illustrated by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan    What does the President of the United States actually do? That's the question that Catherine Stier and DyAnne Di-Salvo Ryan address in this straightforward account of the work of being president. The president must "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States," as agreed when sworn into office. The president must live in the White House and be in charge of the armed forces. Stier also describes some of the perks of the job--that the president can go bowling at home and throws the first pitch of baseball season. Notably, while the text is a first person account of life as a president, the accompanying illustrations present the president with a wonderfully multicultural set of faces. Sometimes the president is a boy, at other times, a girl, and sometimes he's dark-skinned and other times he's light-skinned. The book provides a clear, enthusiastic description of a "great" job! At the front of the book is a one-page summary, including information about Constitutional requirements for being president. 1999, Albert Whitman, $14.95, Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Heidi Hauser Green (Children's Literature) Best Books: Los Angeles' 100 Best Books, 1999; IRA Children's Literature and Reading SIG and the Los Angeles Unified School District; United States Awards, Honors, Prizes: Society of School Librarians International Book Awards Honor 2000 Social Studies: K-6 United States ISBN: 0-8075-3541-9 Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame, and What the Neighbors Thought Kathleen Krull Illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt    The talented team of Krull and Hewitt continue their biographical collaboration with this survey of American Presidents. The book is light on policy and heavy on idiosyncracies, as promised, and makes for an entertaining read. Probably due to space considerations, the emphasis is on the big names and recent presidents, but one longs for more extensive coverage of really interesting individuals such as John Quincy Adams. The book should whet the reader's appetite for more. 1998, Harcourt Brace, $20.00, Ages 9 up. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr (Children's Literature)    The chatty style and fascinating tidbits will appeal to history buffs of all ages eager to know the men behind the formal portraits and news bites. Kids can learn why dashing John F. Kennedy often barked like a seal; why Lyndon B. Johnson named his daughters Lynda Bird and Luci Baines and his dog Little Beagle; and why Woodrow Wilson kept a herd of sheep on the White House lawn. 1998, Harcourt Brace, $20.00, Ages 9 up. Reviewer: Mary Quattlebaum (Children's Literature) Best Books: Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States Children's Choices, 1999; International Reading Association; United States Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Eighth Edition, 2000; H.W. Wilson; United States Not Just for Children Anymore!, 1999; Children's Book Council; United States Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, June 1998; Cahners; United States Recommended Literature: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, 2002; California Department of Education; California Awards, Honors, Prizes: ABC Children's Booksellers Choices Award Winner 1999 Non-Fiction United States Emphasis on Reading Winner 2001 Grades 4-6 Alabama Garden State Children's Book Award Winner 2001 Nonfiction New Jersey State and Provincial Reading Lists: Emphasis on Reading, 2000-2001; Nominee; Grades 4-6; Alabama Utah Children's Book Awards, 2000; Nominee; Informational; Utah ISBN: 0-15-200808-X The New Big Book of U.S. Presidents Todd Davis and Marc Frey    You can come along and join the presidents marching through time, from George Washington to George W. Bush, when you open this oversized book. The book features presidential portraits from the National Portrait Gallery. A large-print table of contents makes finding a specific president easy, or you may choose to learn about all the presidents in the order in which they led the United States. To begin with, two comprehensive pages spell out the system of government used to run the country. The main text of the book follows, as all presidents receive extensive coverage beginning with a portrait and biographical information. Sidebars hold historical information from events played out during each president's term. The entire book is augmented with a timeline running across the bottom of the pages. The line consists of dates and short sentences that allow you to maintain a focus as U.S. history unfolds. Slavery, triangular trade, manifest destiny, and human rights are some of the topics covered. Interesting historical figures included are Davy Crockett, P.T. Barnum, John Brown, Clara Barton, Jackie Robinson, and Gloria Steinem. This informative book is a must when learning about the presidents and the history surrounding them. 2000, Courage Books/Running House, $9.98, Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Nancy Garhan Attebury ISBN: 0-7624-0849-9 Our Country's Presidents Ann Bausum Foreword by President George W. Bush    Biography collections, a form unusual to find in adult books, provide great learning for children. Most often organized by subject, they can show differing perspectives and how those viewpoints are affected by era and background. Often these biography collections deliver a sum greater than their parts. Bausum devotes one to three pages to each president. The book has the slick-paged, picture-rich, sound-byte presentation that children like. It also has facts, humor and trivia, which unite to give a sense of the individuals and their times. For example, Ulysses S. Grant, known for his aggressive Civil War attacks, disliked hunting and got sick in his father's tanning shop. A photo shows four men resting in the oversized bathtub that was installed in the White House after 332 pound Taft got stuck in the standard-sized one. When the forty-three presidents are described between the covers of one book, children see the overall significance of how these leaders have served and changed our country. 2001, National Geographic Society, $24.95, Ages 8 up. Reviewer: Susie Wilde    Bausum's book is really hot off the press. It includes the results of the latest election and a foreword by President George W. Bush and his profile. The forty-three profiles are excellent and each sets the proper stage relating the time period, major events and accomplishments during the term of that particular president. The fact boxes on each opening spread contain lots of details such as nickname, birth and death dates, political party, chief opponents in the elections, term of office, age at inauguration, vice president, first lady, children and more. The reproductions of the official portraits and other pictures and documents are outstanding. The text is divided into six sections and each is introduced by a fascinating photo essay of the era, to lay the foundation for what will come. For those who need the facts about each election, there is a chart of presidential election results, and for researchers, a good index and bibliography. This is a book for home and library, for casual reading and serious reference. Once opened, it will be hard to put down. 2001, National Geographic, $24.95, Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot Best Books: Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2002; National Council for the Social Studies NCSS; United States ISBN: 0-7922-7226-9 The Presidency of the United States David Heath    What a great way to spark a child's interest in US presidential history! In five easy to read chapters, the author covers the president's responsibilities in the larger context of the US government. Throughout the text, examples of different presidential styles are offered to highlight important points. A history of the White House is also covered. Pertinent photographs such as one of Ronald Reagan's cabinet, aid the excellent text. The book contains several charts, including lists of the presidents and of major federal government departments. This title is one in the publisher's "American Civics" series. 1999, Capstone High/Low Books, $19.00, Ages 9 to 13. Reviewer: Jeanne K. Pettenati, J.D. (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-7368-0002-6 The Presidency of the United States: A Student Companion Richard M. Pious    Can anyone imagine a job with more inherent pressure and stress than being President of the United States? Over the years, the majority of Presidents have died years before the average age expectancy of their generation. Presidents are called upon to be political stewards and military leaders. They are responsible for budgets that contain hundreds of billions of dollars. They spearhead the economy and set policies that will affect generations around the world. In foreign policy, presidents control a nuclear arsenal that could destroy civilization. In general, the President of the United States heads up the government of what can arguably be called the only "superpower" in the world. Here, in this comprehensive resource guide, the various elements of presidential history are chronicled in A to Z format. Richard Pious provides readers with detailed information about each man who has held the office of the president. In addition, entries dealing with topics such as presidential health, retirement benefits, campaigning, ethics, and vice presidents are presented in a lucid fashion. Students with any sort of question about the Presidency may well find what they need in this valuable reference book. 2001, Oxford University Press, $45.00, Ages 12 up. Best Books: Senior High School Library Catalog, Sixteenth Edition, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States ISBN: 0-19-515006-6 President Adams' Alligator and Other White House Pets Peter Barnes and Cheryl Barnes    Bears in the White House? Over the years our nation's first families have enjoyed animal companions great, small and extremely unique. President Adams' Alligator and Other White House Pets gives the scoop on these furred and feathered buddies, from Thomas Jefferson's two grizzly bears to Caroline Kennedy's pony named Macaroni. Our first president, George Washington, had hunting dogs named Madame Moose, Sweetlips and Tipsy. The Father of our Country was also concerned about equine dental hygiene and made sure all his horses had regular brushings to ensure healthy choppers. With this charming picture book, Peter and Cheryl Barnes, a local husband-and-wife writing/illustrating team, have created a lively addition to their oeuvre of children's books exploring American history and government. 2003, VSP Books, $16.95, Ages 6 to 9. Reviewer: Mary Quattlebaum (Children's Literature) ISBN: 1-893622-13-4 The President and Mom's Apple Pie Michael Garland    A young boy recalls the exciting day in 1909 when President William Howard Taft arrives in his town to dedicate a new flagpole. The visit is imaginary, but it is based on what we know of the food-loving president. Tantalized by an enticing aroma, Taft allows our hero to lead him from one delicious local treat to another, as the crowd and the band follow along. The final tummy pleaser, mom's pie, and the accompanying excitement at its discovery, bring this slice of turn-of-the-century American life to a lip-smacking close. The visual story is filled with the buildings of the small town and its scores of stylized, seemingly computer-polished citizens in appropriate period dress. But it's the very rotund president, leading across the double pages, who is the center of the happy action. Factual historic information on Taft is included. 2002, Dutton Children's Books/Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers, $15.99, Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature)    If you find morbid obesity absolutely hilarious, this is the book for you. Oversized pages bursting with colorful crowd scenes show our most oversized president, William Howard Taft, arriving in a small American town one summer day in 1909. He has come to dedicate its new flagpole, but becomes distracted along the way by the need to sample Tony's Italian Villa's spaghetti, Big Ed's Barbecue, a plate of steamed vegetables at Mrs. Wong's Hunan Palace, and then finally finding the culinary satisfaction he is seeking in a huge slice of Mom's freshly baked homemade apple pie. This glimpse of small-town Americana is appealing, and there is a triumphant moment when our young narrator saves the day by rescuing the long-sought-after pie in the nick of time from a near disaster. But most of the humor undeniably comes from the portrait of Taft's enormous weight and bottomless appetite. He is shown as completely spherical in most of the illustrations, an enormous globe with small head and teeny arms and legs, more like an over-inflated balloon than a human being. I have to admit that my own child found it very funny to look at each picture and try to decide which one made Taft look the fattest. Other readers may be more disturbed by the source of the humor here. 2002, Dutton, $15.99. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Claudia Mills (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-5254-6887-0 To stay up to date on new books on this topic, consider subscribing to The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. For your free trial, click here. Added 10/16/04