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Madam President
A little girl imagines what her day would be like if she were Madam President. There would be executive orders to give, babies to kiss, tuna casseroles to veto (or VETO!)…and so much more! Not to mention that recess would definitely require more security.
With deadpan wit and hilarious illustrations, best-selling picture book creator Lane Smith introduces readers to an unforgettable new character.
With deadpan wit and hilarious illustrations, best-selling picture book creator Lane Smith introduces readers to an unforgettable new character.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published July 29, 2008
About the author
Lane Smith
114 books355 followersLane Smith was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but moved to Corona, California at a young age. He spent summers in Tulsa, however, and cites experiences there as inspirations for his work, saying that "[o]nce you've seen a 100-foot cement buffalo on top of a donut-stand (sic) in the middle of nowhere, you're never the same."
He studied art in college at the encouragement of his high school art teacher, helping to pay for it by working as a janitor at Disneyland. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in illustration, and moved to New York City, where he was hired to do illustrations for various publications including Time, Mother Jones, and Ms..
Smith is married to Molly Leach, who is a book designer and designed the Smith/Scieszka collaboration.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/lanesmith
He studied art in college at the encouragement of his high school art teacher, helping to pay for it by working as a janitor at Disneyland. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in illustration, and moved to New York City, where he was hired to do illustrations for various publications including Time, Mother Jones, and Ms..
Smith is married to Molly Leach, who is a book designer and designed the Smith/Scieszka collaboration.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/lanesmith
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
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February 10, 2023Not sure what to think about this one. The little girl is obnoxious and probably friendless. But I like that she's invented new cabinet positions to give roles to all her toys, including her music box, which is tagged Secretary of Dance. And the details in the art that aren't written about are cute... but how many ppl will notice the bust of Eleanor Roosevelt, and how many kids will understand who she was?
June 28, 2021
Why I gift this book: If teaching politics was THIS delightful, we probably would be more excited to dive into our civic duties.
Warning: Your future voter might be running around the house yelling Veto! Veto! Veto! Instead of No! No! No! (Like mine did.😂)
Loved the illustrations in this also.
Warning: Your future voter might be running around the house yelling Veto! Veto! Veto! Instead of No! No! No! (Like mine did.😂)
Loved the illustrations in this also.
October 2, 2008
Here's a good idea: pretend you are the president, and see how that makes you act. In Madam President, Lane Smith (who must be the hardest-working, most civic-minded dude in children's literature) lays out all the qualities the president needs to exhibit. Wisdom. Diplomacy. Friendliness, sympathy, humility, toughness, calm.
His noble little girl, in her tailored, flared pantsuit, demonstrates how each of these exemplary traits plays out during an action-packed day that starts at 7am with an executive order, politely delivered ("More waffles, please") and ends at 8pm, when she delegates a visit from the cat to her vice president, a friendly-looking rag doll.
It's fun. It's informative. It has tons of little jokey details (Katie keeps a copy of Profiles in Courage under her bed). And it teaches about integrity without being preachy.
His noble little girl, in her tailored, flared pantsuit, demonstrates how each of these exemplary traits plays out during an action-packed day that starts at 7am with an executive order, politely delivered ("More waffles, please") and ends at 8pm, when she delegates a visit from the cat to her vice president, a friendly-looking rag doll.
It's fun. It's informative. It has tons of little jokey details (Katie keeps a copy of Profiles in Courage under her bed). And it teaches about integrity without being preachy.
April 28, 2017
If you read the text alone on this one, it could pass as an informational book on what the President of the United States does. But if you look at the pictures, it becomes a story about a girl who imagines herself as President. The difference between the text and the pictures creates the appealing humor of the story. I'm not fond of Lane Smith's artwork, which is why I'm only giving it 3 stars. I do like her Secret Service Agent cat, however, and the bust of Eleanor Roosevelt that she stands on in front of her school. Ironically, Eleanor may have been one of the only women who actually came close to doing all the things a President does. A nice book for Women's History Month, and one that could kick off a great discussion on Presidential responsibilities and women in politics.
October 5, 2016
Although it is based in America, its subtle message that anyone, regardless of gender should dream big in life in order to aspire to be anything that they want to be is done is a witty and light-hearted way. Lane Smith has a real talent for throwing traditional stories and socio-cultural norms on their heads and he does this so well here.
Not only is there wit in abundance but I thought that the play between what the words were saying against what the illustrations were show Lane at his very best. This joke between the roles of responsibilities of the president are mainly played through the illustrations whilst the narrative reels off an frequently formal tone about the responsibilities: 'There are executive orders to give' is illustrated by a young girl shouting at the breakfast table for 'More waffles, please,' the lovely double-page spread of the president's cabinet only shows slight allusions to the imaginary world of the girl that we are party to with the Secretary of the Interior joined by the Secretary of Fantasy (a lovely pegasus/unicorn figure).
These then are the dreams and aspirations of a little girl. Through her eyes we see her live the role of president and by the end of it, when she is in the very place she started her day, we are left feeling that she could easily handle the role when she's older. I think that many other girls and boys will feel the same about their own dreams too.
Not only is there wit in abundance but I thought that the play between what the words were saying against what the illustrations were show Lane at his very best. This joke between the roles of responsibilities of the president are mainly played through the illustrations whilst the narrative reels off an frequently formal tone about the responsibilities: 'There are executive orders to give' is illustrated by a young girl shouting at the breakfast table for 'More waffles, please,' the lovely double-page spread of the president's cabinet only shows slight allusions to the imaginary world of the girl that we are party to with the Secretary of the Interior joined by the Secretary of Fantasy (a lovely pegasus/unicorn figure).
These then are the dreams and aspirations of a little girl. Through her eyes we see her live the role of president and by the end of it, when she is in the very place she started her day, we are left feeling that she could easily handle the role when she's older. I think that many other girls and boys will feel the same about their own dreams too.
March 21, 2018
Text-to Teaching Connection: Social Studies
The main character of this book speaks life into the meaning of being a president. Even though this book would be a reading assignment, it could easily also be a Social Studies project. I would suggest once the class is in government section or if it is an election year this book would come in handy to spark ideas into the minds of the students. Some of the newly found interest could be redirected to get the students to talk more with their parents about the offices held by government officials. Teachers could also hit on another point in the book about holding yourself accountable.
As an activity, I would have the students explain why they would want to be president and what would they change if they were president. Then I would have them create a bill to be passed. Then we could split the class up to have members of Congress and go through the process of getting the bill approved. Allowing all students a chance to be the president and congress members.
The main character of this book speaks life into the meaning of being a president. Even though this book would be a reading assignment, it could easily also be a Social Studies project. I would suggest once the class is in government section or if it is an election year this book would come in handy to spark ideas into the minds of the students. Some of the newly found interest could be redirected to get the students to talk more with their parents about the offices held by government officials. Teachers could also hit on another point in the book about holding yourself accountable.
As an activity, I would have the students explain why they would want to be president and what would they change if they were president. Then I would have them create a bill to be passed. Then we could split the class up to have members of Congress and go through the process of getting the bill approved. Allowing all students a chance to be the president and congress members.
February 22, 2019
When a little girl imagines her life as a President, she starts with the here and now.
Why I started this book: Selected for our Presidential Story Time.
Why I finished it: Charming, with lots of sly humor that the adults loved more than the kids.
Why I started this book: Selected for our Presidential Story Time.
Why I finished it: Charming, with lots of sly humor that the adults loved more than the kids.
December 25, 2019
Lane Smith is so quirky and fun.
February 9, 2009
This is a brilliant book! Katy uses her executive power to make things happen in her world, and goes about her day as if she is the President of the United States. With hilarious pictures, and sharp, intelligent prose, Lane Smith has created a very informative and funny book. The illustrations are wonderful, and the look on Katy's face as she appoints her Cabinet, deals with the Secret Service out on the playground, and tries to repair the disaster area that is her bedroom is priceless.
I love the fact that this is a book about a woman president, and that she is a strong character who clearly knows herself. It's timely especially since we inaugurated the first African-American President yesterday. Why shouldn't little girls dream of being of the first woman President?
The strength of this book is the use of government terms to tell the story and the plays on words that go along with those terms. When the book is all said and done, Katy is just like any other little girl at the end of the day -- tired!
I love the fact that this is a book about a woman president, and that she is a strong character who clearly knows herself. It's timely especially since we inaugurated the first African-American President yesterday. Why shouldn't little girls dream of being of the first woman President?
The strength of this book is the use of government terms to tell the story and the plays on words that go along with those terms. When the book is all said and done, Katy is just like any other little girl at the end of the day -- tired!
January 5, 2012
The saucy young girl starring in this amusing Lane Smith work is quite comfortable with the many responsibilities of the presidency. Marching importantly across the pages, she declares many accurate facts about what a president must do, and we see her interpretation in Smith's humorous illustrations. From negotiating treaties between dogs and cats, deciding on a "capable cabinet" consisting of Secretaries of Pizza, Fantasy, Naps, and Pets Who Should Be In Their Cages, to using the president's veto power to veto tuna casserole and a musical version of Little House On The Prairie, this girl's imagination takes flight. With its accurate details and amusing illustrations, this work would be a nice break from the regular textbook approach in teaching early introduction to the American government system.
"A president must be a diplomat... which is why l'm not commenting on that hat".
"A president must be a diplomat... which is why l'm not commenting on that hat".
August 14, 2008
Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for Kids @ TeensReadToo.com
One little girl imagines her day if she were President.
Katy uses an executive order to refill her waffle plate. Recess includes secret service agents hiding behind the trees. She vetoes tuna salad for lunch. Katy even has to deal with a Disaster Area - her room.
Lane Smith creates a story that will make readers giggle. The adorable pictures reinforce the humorous tale. While the presidential subject is timely, this book will be enjoyed for years to come.
One little girl imagines her day if she were President.
Katy uses an executive order to refill her waffle plate. Recess includes secret service agents hiding behind the trees. She vetoes tuna salad for lunch. Katy even has to deal with a Disaster Area - her room.
Lane Smith creates a story that will make readers giggle. The adorable pictures reinforce the humorous tale. While the presidential subject is timely, this book will be enjoyed for years to come.
November 15, 2016
Madam President teaches people that they can aspire to be whatever they dream of.
I personally love how it shows a strong female protagonist in a powerful role. The juxtaposition between what is in the images as opposed to the text reminds me of children in role play, e.g. when she names each member of her cabinet (and they're just her toys!)
A really fun and light hearted book which has the power to evoke humour and inspire young people
I personally love how it shows a strong female protagonist in a powerful role. The juxtaposition between what is in the images as opposed to the text reminds me of children in role play, e.g. when she names each member of her cabinet (and they're just her toys!)
A really fun and light hearted book which has the power to evoke humour and inspire young people
April 10, 2011
This book will be good to read to the third and fourth graders when they start learning about president. It gives a description about the president's job and the purpose of different candidates. It is engaging to read because the job titles have been changed to a kid's frienlier words that the kids can understand.
December 29, 2016
Being the President of the United States is hard work. It includes handling press conferences with grace, picking a capable cabinet and keeping the peace. It had perks such as a theme song and secret service cats.
Did I write cats? I meant agents. Wonderful story and illustrations on how responsibilities translate from an adult profession to the life of a child.
Did I write cats? I meant agents. Wonderful story and illustrations on how responsibilities translate from an adult profession to the life of a child.
July 30, 2016
Very timely book for our current election but even better was teaching my 6 year old a lot of new words and concepts.
March 31, 2021
I continue my quest to read all illustrated books by Lane Smith. He is a prolific writer and artist. I'm glad there are many more to read.
In the United States, we do not have a female President, but we do have a woman Vice President!
Thus far the match of President Biden and Vice President Kamilla Harris, are thus far quite a good pair!
In this book, written and illustrated by Smith, Madam President is quite a character. A little girl journeys into a world where she is the President. There are executive orders, daily briefs, photo ops, babies to kiss, treaties to negotiate
And, when Madam President grows weary, she piles the work on the VP.
While this is cute, it isn't one of my favorites of the author and illustrator. But, the illustrations are cute and creative, and the premise is a great one!
In the United States, we do not have a female President, but we do have a woman Vice President!
Thus far the match of President Biden and Vice President Kamilla Harris, are thus far quite a good pair!
In this book, written and illustrated by Smith, Madam President is quite a character. A little girl journeys into a world where she is the President. There are executive orders, daily briefs, photo ops, babies to kiss, treaties to negotiate
And, when Madam President grows weary, she piles the work on the VP.
While this is cute, it isn't one of my favorites of the author and illustrator. But, the illustrations are cute and creative, and the premise is a great one!
January 18, 2026
This little lady has some definite ideas on how the Presidency should be run. She has a superior notion of who should be in the President’s Cabinet (probably better than most adults) but she thinks there could be a few, quirky additions. She is an attention hog and doesn’t always provide what people need (too many flags, but at least they’re not red ones). But you think she’ll improve as she gets older. At least she’s willing to clean her room without prompting and interfere when bullies make an appearance. Good for her!
Lane Smith illustrates this with his usual style. Big-headed people, simple outlines in some places and definitive shadings in others, print both outsized and tiny, depending on the content. It’s a smirking but charmed look at one little girl and her future as leader of the free world. (She can’t do any worse than Orange Face, that’s for sure.)
Lane Smith illustrates this with his usual style. Big-headed people, simple outlines in some places and definitive shadings in others, print both outsized and tiny, depending on the content. It’s a smirking but charmed look at one little girl and her future as leader of the free world. (She can’t do any worse than Orange Face, that’s for sure.)
March 28, 2019
Genre: Comedy and Humor
Text-to-Teaching connection
This book is great for grades level 1st-5th. It can be used as a conversation started in Social Studies about how the government works. Although not 100% factual, it gives information for students to discuss the duties of the president and how he/she interacts with others in government. This will provide good spelling words to work on such as agriculture, executive, and veto. Students can use this in English class to write about what they would do if they were president.
Text-to-Teaching connection
This book is great for grades level 1st-5th. It can be used as a conversation started in Social Studies about how the government works. Although not 100% factual, it gives information for students to discuss the duties of the president and how he/she interacts with others in government. This will provide good spelling words to work on such as agriculture, executive, and veto. Students can use this in English class to write about what they would do if they were president.
December 2, 2018
Caldecott-honor illustrator Smith pens a funny story of a young girl who is "president." She must oversee many important tasks such as the making of lunch, attending state funerals, etc. She must be protected at all times by a secret service cat. She must appoint many secretaries to important departments.
Third graders and higher might understand the humor in this book but it's definitely not funny for preschool. Not recommended for early literacy storytimes.
Third graders and higher might understand the humor in this book but it's definitely not funny for preschool. Not recommended for early literacy storytimes.
May 12, 2020
A young girl imagines herself as President for the day. This book was both informative and humorous. We especially loved the list of different members of the Cabinet (Secretary of Pizza and Sec. of Naps, sign me up). However at times I felt like the main character was a little bratty and her borderline tantrums just felt too...realistic? I love that the character is a girl! Didn’t really love the illustrations here. Probably would be most enjoyed by later elementary students.
October 3, 2018
Fiction - Pub. Date: Aug-2008
Madam president not only informs the reader on some presidential duties but also allows us to think critically about what we would do if we were the president. I love the way the author shows the reader that even a young girl can play a smart independent role. Would love sharing this with my classroom when we are learning about the government.
Madam president not only informs the reader on some presidential duties but also allows us to think critically about what we would do if we were the president. I love the way the author shows the reader that even a young girl can play a smart independent role. Would love sharing this with my classroom when we are learning about the government.
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June 11, 2019This story is of a young girl's imagination of what being president would be like. She goes through the day's schedule and what is expected of the president. It is a cute story and fun for kids to read and imagine what this very important job would entail. I would read this book to lower elementary students and have the students write their own story of what being president would be like.
October 25, 2020
President. "Why the president is the most important person in the whole wide world!....And the most humble." Charming illustrations. "There are executive orders to give ("More waffles please."). The Secretary of Agriculture is Mr. Potato Head. The Secretary of the Interior is a skeleton. And the secretary of Education is an owl.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2021
A girl imagines what it would be like to be president, including picking cabinet members and using her veto party. She also attends a state funeral and gives press conferences. All of this is set against her real age and life.
A fun story that could spark conversation and teach about some of the "behind the scenes" types of things the president is responsible for.
A fun story that could spark conversation and teach about some of the "behind the scenes" types of things the president is responsible for.
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January 24, 2022 Madam President could be used when introducing the Three Branches of Government as a humorous retelling of the president's responsibilities, but it also could just be read for fun too. I think what I liked best about this book was the reminder to the readers that we are all capable of big things if we so imagine! Humorous writing and fun illustrations!
December 25, 2019
I liked the idea of the book. The background illustrations were fun and well done. Didn’t enjoy the design of the main character. Nothing too powerful or brag-worthy about the book, but still a decent production by Smith.
April 19, 2021
K-1st Modern fantasy
A very entertaining view of the presidential position from the view of a child. Some of my favorite things were the secretaries including “secretary of fantasy” and “secretary of naps.” I think this is a realistic and fun view of presidency from a child.
A very entertaining view of the presidential position from the view of a child. Some of my favorite things were the secretaries including “secretary of fantasy” and “secretary of naps.” I think this is a realistic and fun view of presidency from a child.
August 27, 2021
One plucky young lady has big dreams of holding the highest office in the land. She rattles off all of her responsibilities - big and small, glamorous and mundane - after all a president must lead by example.
June 15, 2017
My 3 year old was thrilled with this book tonight. And even after I put her to bed I could here her in her room going "veto. Veto! As you were."
July 26, 2017
Meh. Just not my thing. Doesn't seem like a good read-aloud book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews