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A Child's First Book of Trump

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A New York Times bestseller!

What do you do when you spot a wild Trump in the election season? New York Times bestselling author and comedian Michael Ian Black has some sage advice for children (and all the rest of us who are scratching our heads in disbelief) in this perfectly timely parody picture book intended for adults that would be hysterical if it wasn’t so true.

The beasty is called an American Trump.
Its skin is bright orange, its figure is plump.
Its fur so complex you might get enveloped.
Its hands though are, sadly, underdeveloped.

The Trump is a curious creature, very often spotted in the wild, but confounding to our youngest citizens. A business mogul, reality TV host, and now…political candidate? Kids (and let’s be honest many adults) might have difficulty discerning just what this thing that’s been dominating news coverage this election cycle is. Could he actually be real? Are those…words coming out of his mouth? Why are his hands so tiny? And perhaps most importantly, what on earth do you do when you encounter an American Trump?

With his signature wit and a classic picture book style, comedian Michael Ian Black introduces those unfamiliar with the Americus Trumpus to his distinguishing features and his mystifying campaign for world domination…sorry…President of the United States.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 5, 2016

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About the author

Michael Ian Black

32 books430 followers
Michael Ian Black is a popular comedian who began his career with "The State," a sketch comedy troupe he co-founded at New York University in 1988, which went on to have a successful run on MTV. He then co-created the Comedy Central television series "Viva Variety," a fake European variety show.

From there, he appeared on several television shows before landing the role of Phil Stubbs, the quirky bowling alley manager on NBC's "Ed," which ran for almost four seasons. His next project was "Stella," a television show he co-created with Michael Showalter and David Wain, which ran on Comedy Central. Black has appeared in several films and is a popular contributor to VH1's "I Love the..." series.

In 2005, he wrote and directed his first film, "Wedding Daze," which starred Jason Biggs and Isla Fisher. His screenplay "Run Fat Boy Run," starring Simon Pegg and Thandie Newton, came out in 2007. Black is also a stand-up comedian, who regularly tours the country. His first album of stand-up comedy, "I Am a Wonderful Man," was released in 2007, and his first book of humorous essays, My Custom Van (and 50 Other Mind-Blowing Essays That Will Blow Your Mind All Over Your Face) came out in 2008. His first children's book, Chicken Cheeks was released in January, 2009. His latest project is "Michael and Michael Have Issues," a comedy series premiering in July 2009 on Comedy Central. Black is married and has two children.

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5 stars
609 (49%)
4 stars
382 (30%)
3 stars
169 (13%)
2 stars
42 (3%)
1 star
32 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 271 reviews
Profile Image for Jon Nakapalau.
6,625 reviews1,042 followers
February 9, 2023
Interesting book on Trump - almost Seussiean in design. So many of my friends are not talking to each other because of Trump - friends that just can't forgive each other because of the 2016 election. I have tried to get them to put that aside; but I guess it just is not going to happen. This book brought all that back to me; lots of things for historians to sift through for years and years to come.
Profile Image for Manny.
Author 52 books16.3k followers
January 5, 2017
Can I play too?

TrumpMelaniaJesus

Here's Jesus Christ, he's so mild and so meek
The Trump tries to mention him once every week
But not to Melania, 'cause it's apt to confuse her
"He what? He got crucified? Wow! What a loser!"
Profile Image for Sheri.
1,403 reviews130 followers
April 5, 2018
Picture book for adults. You'll love it or you'll hate it, but it seems most here on Goodreads tend towards the love it side.
Profile Image for Dan Thompson.
1 review
July 9, 2016
This book is a disgrace. It is a propaganda hit job similar to that used in Nazi Germany. I not only wouldn't let my child read it, I wouldn't let my dog urinate on it.
Profile Image for Kristina Coop-a-Loop.
1,321 reviews563 followers
October 14, 2016
I was sitting next to my husband at the Indigo bookstore in the Eaton Centre in Toronto looking at a few books when I noticed that he was doing his man giggle thing. So I look over and he's reading this book. So now of course I have to read it. If you're a Trump supporter who doesn't have a sense of humor, you will definitely want to avoid this book and this review.

While this is a children's book written in rhyme (some are a bit forced), it's really directed towards adults. The pictures are very funny and make the most of Donald Trump's most noticeable characteristics: his hair and habitual smirk. While it doesn't get too specific on Trump's politics (which the author couldn't as Trump has no specific policy proposals beyond his HUGE, HUGE wall, the BEST WALL EVER) the rhymes gently mock his inability to take any criticism (his tiny hands) and the way he constantly has to feed his narcissistic personality by chasing down every media outlet and camera in sight. This book is funny without needing to exaggerate because Trump already is an outsized, cartoonish version of a man. At the end, the book gives anyone sick of Trump's non-stop bragging and nonsense sensible advice: turn off the t.v. If you're panicked at the idea of America under a Trump presidency and nightmares keep you up at night, I'd also add this advice: VOTE. For anyone else but Trump. Gary Johnson isn't as crazy as you may think.

amendment
Gary Johnson may not be clinically insane, but he appears to be dumb. His ignorance of Aleppo and inability to name even one foreign leader he admires (or one foreign leader, period) AND his saying that it was okay if he didn't know a lot about geography because if he didn't know where a country was, he couldn't send troops there (as if a country ceased to exist because he couldn't find it on a map), are all evidence that not only does he not pay attention to current news, he isn't at all interested in rectifying his ignorance. The other eye-roller is, when asked about global warming, he says no one can say if it is actually happening (um, lots of scientists do) and then says, well, it doesn't matter anyway because the sun is going to blow up and we'll all be dead. So why bother? Ha ha ha ha...in a BILLION years, Gary. So maybe we should care a little. Oh, Gary, Gary, Gary. You're missing a golden opportunity to actually be the candidate people like and want to vote for!
Profile Image for Jen  Bigheart.
299 reviews131 followers
July 14, 2016
"It's diet is cash, its friends are all go-getters." Its poop spells out..."TRUMP" in ten-foot high letters!

Political satire...gold!
Profile Image for David.
765 reviews20 followers
January 3, 2019
For children of all ages. Very witty, very forthright.
Profile Image for Christine.
7,270 reviews578 followers
July 14, 2016
Last night, my friend and I went to the restaurant with the great food and the wonderful staff (aka Double Knot). Before we ate we stopped at the Bookstore of Temptation (aka Joseph Fox - they have a website, too) and brought books. I did not buy this book. As great as it is, and it is great, it is not 16 dollars great when you are limited in funds and are already buying $60 worth of books. I did read it because JF is that type of awesome bookstore.

If Trump, his speeches, and his gerbil or attack cat that perches on his head frightens you as much as he does me, you might want to give this adult parody of rhyming children's book a try.

Take for instance:

The beasty is called an American Trump.
Its skin is bright orange, its figure is plump.
Its fur so complex you might get enveloped.
Its hands though are, sadly, underdeveloped.
Profile Image for Shani Zhang.
23 reviews39 followers
July 10, 2016
I read this book standing up in a book store. It took all of 5 minutes, but goddamn was it a glorious 5 minutes. I took pictures of so many pages that I want to frame/print out and mail to fox news. The whimsical illustrations and simple rhyme scheme almost distracted from the insightful message at the very end: "Don't respond to its brags, its taunts, or its jeers; ignoring a Trump is a Trump's biggest fear"
Profile Image for Kristin.
329 reviews
January 10, 2017
Found at the book-fair at work today. Best stocking stuffers for your favorite family members!



Give these boys a big gold star
Profile Image for Aimee.
296 reviews
August 4, 2017
It's an accurate description of our embarrassing president. All children should read this before hearing/seeing anything else about him.
870 reviews11 followers
July 9, 2016
OMG, I was first in line for my library's copy. A super quick, enjoyable roast to Mr. Trump. The Trump in this story is a creature resembling one of Seuss's animated characters. "For all the Trump's astounding uniqueness. It certainly has a curious weakness: A Trump loves to dine on hatred and violence; It cannot endure a moment of silence." Curiously, it's a picture book, but cataloged adult in most systems I've checked. References to the "size of his manhood" and "it's poop spells out 'Trump' in ten-foot high letters" probably make this more appropriate for mature audiences. Enjoy
Profile Image for Steve H.
447 reviews3 followers
July 14, 2016
Dr. Seuss-like couplets describe an orange windbag creature called the Trump, and the whimsical drawings capture a surprising likeness. Another in the great list of books you probably don't need to own but which are perfect to get, share, and enjoy from the library.
Profile Image for Maggie Mattmiller.
1,260 reviews23 followers
July 4, 2016
Dr. Seuss style rhymes and message. It actually made me laugh, and was more clever than I would have expected. Not one I could have in my classroom because of politics... Although I kind of wish I could!
Profile Image for Monica Edinger.
Author 6 books353 followers
Read
June 12, 2016
My oh my! I wonder what Mr. Geisel would think. Certainly this is blunt as blunt can be (and really for adults, I'd say).
Profile Image for Tina.
1,210 reviews52 followers
January 7, 2018
Scary times, most frightening picture picture book since The Giving Tree, or the one with the creepy old lady sitting in the grown man's lap.
Profile Image for Amanda.
243 reviews42 followers
July 23, 2017
The rhymes are fun and the illustrations are very Seuss-esque. I really wanted to love this book. I probably would have if I read it when it was first published rather than 7 months into this disaster of a presidency. I know it's just meant for laughs, but ignoring a Trump is probably the worst thing to do.
Profile Image for Rachel.
631 reviews54 followers
October 3, 2018
Funny and accurate. Though I thought it was over after she turned the tv off🤷🏽‍♀️. Kinda felt like an ending to me, though the actual ending was pretty good too. Also there might be a few words that kids wouldn't know, but at the same time it's a great learning opportunity.

Plus it's just damn funny.
Profile Image for Jeff.
Author 18 books37 followers
July 28, 2016
Dedicated to "haters and losers."

Spoiler alert: In the end he suggests that if Trump is elected the haters and losers should move to Canada.
16 reviews
May 10, 2017
Perfect!

Had I time to find the rhyme to rate this book. I'd say it's a most telling tale of this crook!
Profile Image for Kressel Housman.
1,000 reviews266 followers
July 5, 2016
Though the title of this book claims it's for kids, it really isn't. It's a Dr. Seuss-style book in which Trump is the bofa on the sofa. I can't see spending money on it, not even as a gift, but if you happen to be browsing around a bookstore, it's a fun and topical way to spend five to ten minutes in this strange and tense election year.
Profile Image for Cindy.
400 reviews7 followers
July 29, 2016
Hilarious!!!

I would quote the book, but I would just be rewritting the whole thing. Political satire at its best. And the drawings.

I might just buy this book so whenever I need a laugh, I can have one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 271 reviews