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Ellis the Ellephant

Hail to the Chief

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Ellis the Elephant is back, and he’s headed to the White House! In Hail to the Chief, the sixth in Callista Gingrich’s New York Times bestselling series, Ellis meets some of America’s greatest presidents and discovers how they have led our country throughout American history.

In preceding books, including Sweet Land of Liberty, Land of the Pilgrims’ Pride, Yankee Doodle Dandy, From Sea to Shining Sea, and Christmas in America, Ellis learns about the pivotal moments that have shaped our nation. Now, in Hail to the Chief, this adorable pachyderm explores the fascinating lives of those who have held the nation’s highest office.

Authored by Callista Gingrich and illustrated by Susan Arciero, Hail to the Chief will delight young and old alike with a glimpse of the leaders who helped make America an exceptional nation.

40 pages, Hardcover

Published October 11, 2016

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428 people want to read

About the author

Callista Gingrich

25 books48 followers
Callista Gingrich is the President of Gingrich Productions.

She and her husband, Newt, host and produce historical and public policy documentaries. Recent films include A City Upon A Hill, America at Risk, and Nine Days that Changed the World.

Mrs. Gingrich is the author of the New York Times bestselling children’s series featuring Ellis the Elephant. Recent books include Sweet Land of Liberty, Land of the Pilgrims’ Pride, Yankee Doodle Dandy, From Sea To Shining Sea, and her latest book, Christmas in America. Her photography is featured in the New York Times bestseller Rediscovering God in America.

Mrs. Gingrich is the voice for several audio books, including, A Nation Like No Other and To Save America.

An avid musician, Mrs. Gingrich sings in the Choir of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. and plays French horn with the City of Fairfax Band in Fairfax, Virginia.

She is also the president of the Gingrich Foundation, a charitable non-profit corporation. Mrs. Gingrich resides in McLean, Virginia with her husband, Newt Gingrich.

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5 stars
14 (60%)
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4 (17%)
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2 (8%)
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Clay Davis.
Author 4 books168 followers
March 28, 2025
A nice book for young readers to learn some U.S. presidental history.
Profile Image for Amanda Lauer.
Author 20 books84 followers
December 30, 2022
I love every book in the Ellis the Elephant series. They're the perfect introduction to American history for our nearby grandchildren (ages 3, 5 and 7) as the simple lessons are written in rhyme which, along with the adorable illustrations, captures the attention of the youngest but provide teaching moments for the older ones. Our 7-year-old grandson is one of those children who loves to learn, so the Resource section in the back of each book goes into more depth about the various topics and historical places to visit.
Profile Image for Maureen Timerman.
3,265 reviews495 followers
September 30, 2016
Callista Gingrich has once again provided our youngster a book to help them understand what is now going on in their country.
The book is geared to 4 to 8 year old, but there is something for everyone and we can all learn something here. We begin in the beginning with the first President George Washington, and continue on forward.
Beautifully illustrated with bright colors it quickly became a page-turner to see what was coming next. My boys loved seeing Ellis the elephant again, and loved how he followed through the story. A really great feature is at the end of the book there is a list of all the presidents, the years that they served and a little bit about each of their precedencies. A highly recommended book to keep on your children’s bookshelf, for reference and entertainment.
I received this book through Regnery Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.
Profile Image for Kendall Smith.
21 reviews
December 5, 2019
Ellis the Elephant is back to teach young readers about all that presidents do. Time traveling through the book Ellis meets some of his favorite presidents who led our country to where it is today. Each president Ellis meets has done something very important for our country.

Just like the other Ellis the Elephant books I like this one alot. This book can teach young readers so mich while enjoying the story line and following Ellis on his journey. It is a great informational read for students.

A book to connect this one to is "So You Want To Be President?" by Judith St. George. This book teaches students all they need to know about how to become president.

"As president, Washington was ready to serve, defending the freedoms he pleged to preserve. Our country's first leader set the standard indeed for future presidents who would follow his lead."
Profile Image for Jessica.
257 reviews10 followers
July 15, 2019
I was provided with a free copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

This was a cute way to introduce politics and presidential history to young children. My young children liked the rhymes and pictures. Their favorite part was about Abraham Lincoln, at which point, story time got on hold while they informed mama about the Lincoln "monument".

I enjoyed this way more than I anticipated. It's a break from regular kids books and incorporates history as well. It was fun to read aloud with the rhyming and watch 5 yr old brains in action.
Profile Image for Kathleen (Kat) Smith.
1,613 reviews95 followers
October 14, 2016
What child doesn't love a book with colorful illustrations and wonderful rhyming words coupled together with a lovable and cute baby elephant, named Ellis? Ellis the Elephant is a heart-warming series that is designed to educate our children while reading an amusing story along the lines of Dr. Seuss to teach them about our Founding Fathers and American Presidents. He travels back in time to meet George Washington, our first president as he is being sworn into office. He journeys to meet Andrew Jackson as he welcomes thousands of American's to the White House, Abraham Lincoln while delivering the Gettysburg Address, Theodore Roosevelt as he creates our national park system and even Lyndon Johnson while he signs the Civil Rights Act.

This delightful book goes on to teach about the Founding Fathers like Thomas Jefferson who wrote the Declaration of Independence, giving us our God-given rights as a nation and the Louisiana Purchase to open the West for America to expand. Children will learn what inspired Francis Scott Key to write the Star Spangled Banner, how Woodrow Wilson brought World War 1 to an end, along with Franklin D. Roosevelt's fireside chats to give people the courage in the midst of a war.

At the conclusion of the book are some great resources for parents to further use to help children understand the significant role some of these men contributed to making America the land of the free and the brave! All 44 Presidents are featured in the resource section including the dates that each were in office. My youngest daughter at 17 read this book as well and absolutely loved it. She wished this would have been a book that she could have read and perhaps memorized growing up and has added this to her future children's library. We both agree it is well worth 5 out of 5 stars.

I received Hail to the Chief by Callista Gingrich compliments of Regenery Kids Publishers. It is illustrated by Susan Arciero and that is what really brings this book alive to children. This is recommended for children 4 to 8, but I think anyone would absolutely love it as my 17-year-old's opinion has proven, that she learned a few things even she didn't know. This is a great resource to begin to incorporate into your child's reading time as we know history is always changing but at times, there is reasons why we need to remember the valuable lessons our American President's taught the nation into becoming the great nation it still is.
Profile Image for Mymcbooks.
520 reviews15 followers
October 11, 2016
My Review: Ellis the Elephant goes back in time to learn about how the past US presidents governed a vast nation. Learning about how George Washington led the Revolutionary War and sworn in as the first president, pledging to serve and defend freedom. Ellis also learn about Thomas Jefferson the founding father who wrote the declaration of independence. James Madison known as the father of the Constitution.  Ellis learned about Andrew Jackson known as a war hero, Abraham Lincoln known as the president who presided over a nation that was in crisis and divided by the fighting over slavery. Theodore Roosevelt who preserved the best lands by setting aside millions of acres of lands.  Ellis went on to learn about many more presidents and their achievements. From George Washington to Barack Obama, he learned how each of them accepted a great responsibility, and done the job to the best of their ability.
What a great way for children and adults to learn about the past and present American presidents and their achievements. The last few pages of the book gives a list of all the US presidents, the year they governed and short history. The illustrations by Susan Arciero are vibrant, bold and colorful which helps sell the story.
Hail to the Chief is a part of the bestselling Ellis the Elephant series.

FTC Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from Gingrich Productions in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion in any way.
173 reviews
October 21, 2016
Our country's election is right around the corner. We have had some amazing Presidents through our country's histroy and this book is a fun way to introduce children to some of them. Let me tell you a little bit about a wonderful children's book called Hail to the Chief by Callista Gingrich and illustrated by Susan Arciero.

This book is part of the "Ellis the Elephant" series. I reviewed another book about this cute elephant here.

In this book Ellis meets some of our presidents along with a few facts about what they did during their presidency.

The illustrations are adorable, and I felt the presidents were very recognizable even though they were cartoons. I love the rhyming text. That makes it really appealing to me, and I think that it will make it more interesting for children to pay attention and learn from this book. This would make a wonderful addition to your classroom library for an America unit or when you study Presidents in February.

I received this book from the publisher for my review. Thank you.
Profile Image for Kid Lit Reviews.
376 reviews64 followers
January 4, 2017
With its rhyming verses, Hail to the Chief takes kids back in time to meet some of the American presidents who helped shaped the U. S. Ellis the Elephant, host for several American history picture books, goes to Washington DC and the White House. The hall of presidents begins his trip back in time, beginning with George Washington. Ellis watches the general’s swearing in ceremony. Next is Abraham Lincoln and his grand vision; then onto a ship with James Madison during the Battle of Baltimore. Yes, Gingrich skips some presidents, but she keeps the reader going forward in time, as America grows and changes.

Teachers will love the information, including back matter on every American president from Washington to Obama. The wonderfully detailed illustrations give kids a view of historical times as they may have been seen by those alive at the time. President . . .

Originally review on Kid Lit Reviews. To read the full review and see illustrations, go to: http://bit.ly/HailToChief
Profile Image for Monica H at The Readathon.
378 reviews2 followers
December 30, 2016
What a great book! I love how the children reading this book will think they're reading about a cute little elephant, and they're really learning about American history and our former presidents. The story is well written in poem format, which is also a bonus because rhyming is such an important skill for young children to learn. It's not a forced rhyme; it flows well and is easy to read and understand. The illustrations are so cute, colorful, and full of detail. This book is not biased toward either "side" of the political spectrum. It is an unbiased look at several of our former presidents-both Republican and Democratic alike. There is also a brief blurb about all the former presidents in the back of the book. Every elementary school in the country should have one of these books in their library! You may read my full review on my book blog: www.the-readathon.blogspot.com.
2,329 reviews45 followers
November 11, 2016
Five stars for Callista Gingrich's book, Hail to the Chief! With fun, colorful artwork by Susan Arciero, this book takes Ellis the Elephant and readers back in time to visit famous presidents and learn about their accomplishments while in office. Written in rhyme, Gingrich makes it easy to learn important historical facts. She also has included summary paragraphs about all 44 presidents. This book is recommended for children ages 4-8, but I think many age groups will enjoy this fun book! I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Profile Image for Carrie.
148 reviews9 followers
October 21, 2016
This book was an enjoyable read! I have always enjoyed rhyming stories for kids. I appreciate books that are fun yet educational for young readers! I really like the summary snapshot of all our presidents at the back of the book too. I recommend this book for kids of all ages!
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews