What do you think?
Rate this book
A Big Cheese for the White House: The True Tale of a Tremendous Cheddar
Based on a true moment in American history, this funny picture book celebrates the ingenuity and community spirit of one small New England town as it attempts to make the country's biggest cheese for the nation's greatest man.
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 20, 1999
About the author
Candace Fleming
74 books663 followersI have always been a storyteller. Even before I could write my name, I could tell a good tale. And I told them all the time. As a preschooler, I told my neighbors all about my three-legged cat named Spot. In kindergarten, I told my classmates about the ghost that lived in my attic. And in first grade I told my teacher, Miss Harbart, all about my family's trip to Paris, France.
I told such a good story that people always thought I was telling the truth. But I wasn't. I didn't have a three-legged cat or a ghost in my attic, and I'd certainly never been to Paris, France. I simply enjoyed telling a good story... and seeing my listener's reaction.
Sure, some people might have said I was a seven-year old fibber. But not my parents. Instead of calling my stories "fibs" they called them "imaginative." They encouraged me to put my stories down on paper. I did. And amazingly, once I began writing, I couldn't stop. I filled notebook after notebook with stories, poems, plays. I still have many of those notebooks. They're precious to me because they are a record of my writing life from elementary school on.
In second grade, I discovered a passion for language. I can still remember the day my teacher, Miss Johnson, held up a horn-shaped basket filled with papier-mache pumpkins and asked the class to repeat the word "cornucopia." I said it again and again, tasted the word on my lips. I tested it on my ears. That afternoon, I skipped all the way home from school chanting, "Cornucopia! Cornucopia!" From then on, I really began listening to words—to the sounds they made, and the way they were used, and how they made me feel. I longed to put them together in ways that were beautiful, and yet told a story.
As I grew, I continued to write stories. But I never really thought of becoming an author. Instead, I went to college where I discovered yet another passion—history. I didn't realize it then, but studying history is really just an extension of my love of stories. After all, some of the best stories are true ones — tales of heroism and villainy made more incredible by the fact they really happened.
After graduation, I got married and had children. I read to them a lot, and that's when I discovered the joy and music of children's books. I simply couldn't get enough of them. With my two sons in tow, I made endless trips to the library. I read stacks of books. I found myself begging, "Just one more, pleeeeease!" while my boys begged for lights-out and sleep. Then it struck me. Why not write children's books? It seemed the perfect way to combine all the things I loved: stories, musical language, history, and reading. I couldn't wait to get started.
But writing children's books is harder than it looks. For three years I wrote story after story. I sent them to publisher after publisher. And I received rejection letter after rejection letter. Still, I didn't give up. I kept trying until finally one of my stories was pulled from the slush pile and turned into a book. My career as a children's author had begun.
I told such a good story that people always thought I was telling the truth. But I wasn't. I didn't have a three-legged cat or a ghost in my attic, and I'd certainly never been to Paris, France. I simply enjoyed telling a good story... and seeing my listener's reaction.
Sure, some people might have said I was a seven-year old fibber. But not my parents. Instead of calling my stories "fibs" they called them "imaginative." They encouraged me to put my stories down on paper. I did. And amazingly, once I began writing, I couldn't stop. I filled notebook after notebook with stories, poems, plays. I still have many of those notebooks. They're precious to me because they are a record of my writing life from elementary school on.
In second grade, I discovered a passion for language. I can still remember the day my teacher, Miss Johnson, held up a horn-shaped basket filled with papier-mache pumpkins and asked the class to repeat the word "cornucopia." I said it again and again, tasted the word on my lips. I tested it on my ears. That afternoon, I skipped all the way home from school chanting, "Cornucopia! Cornucopia!" From then on, I really began listening to words—to the sounds they made, and the way they were used, and how they made me feel. I longed to put them together in ways that were beautiful, and yet told a story.
As I grew, I continued to write stories. But I never really thought of becoming an author. Instead, I went to college where I discovered yet another passion—history. I didn't realize it then, but studying history is really just an extension of my love of stories. After all, some of the best stories are true ones — tales of heroism and villainy made more incredible by the fact they really happened.
After graduation, I got married and had children. I read to them a lot, and that's when I discovered the joy and music of children's books. I simply couldn't get enough of them. With my two sons in tow, I made endless trips to the library. I read stacks of books. I found myself begging, "Just one more, pleeeeease!" while my boys begged for lights-out and sleep. Then it struck me. Why not write children's books? It seemed the perfect way to combine all the things I loved: stories, musical language, history, and reading. I couldn't wait to get started.
But writing children's books is harder than it looks. For three years I wrote story after story. I sent them to publisher after publisher. And I received rejection letter after rejection letter. Still, I didn't give up. I kept trying until finally one of my stories was pulled from the slush pile and turned into a book. My career as a children's author had begun.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
March 6, 2011
In this historical picture book, the author tells the story of a town that worked together to put their little town on the map by making the biggest cheese ever! It starts out with the towns people finding out that Abraham Lincoln was serving another towns cheese at the White House. Well, the towns people could just not have it, because their town made the best cheese! Working together the town devises a plan to make the biggest wheel of cheese this town and any other has ever seen. The ending to their plan takes them to the White House to serve it to the President. Can they do it?
The author does a wonderful job of taking real events in history and putting them together with playful illustrations. There is a comical characteristic to the people's faces and movements in their bodies. At the end of the story, the author gives some factual information so the reader can connect this text with the actual facts.
The author does a wonderful job of taking real events in history and putting them together with playful illustrations. There is a comical characteristic to the people's faces and movements in their bodies. At the end of the story, the author gives some factual information so the reader can connect this text with the actual facts.
July 18, 2009
Loved it! It was a great story, apparently based on a true events, where the town of Cheshire, MA decides to make an enormous cheddar cheese (approximately 1235lbs worth) and give it to President Thomas Jefferson so that they would be the only cheese served at the White House (and it worked).
November 9, 2024
"A Big Cheese for the White House" is a delightful slice of history for kids! This book brings to life the quirky story of how a small town’s giant cheese made its way to the White House. The story is both funny and packed with great problem-solving lessons, showing how creativity and teamwork can make big dreams come true. The charming illustrations add to the fun, making history feel real and relatable. Highly recommended for young history fans!
February 15, 2024
Just goes to show what we can accomplish when we all work together 🙌
And now I’d like to go to Cheshire, Massachusetts & taste their cheese 😃
And now I’d like to go to Cheshire, Massachusetts & taste their cheese 😃
May 2, 2017
Supposedly based on a true event that took place in Cheshire, Massachusetts, in 1801. The cheese went to President Thomas Jefferson and weighed 1235 lbs. Compare with Colonel Meacham's Giant Cheese by Rosemary Nesbitt, which is also supposedly true but which takes place in 1837 in Oswego, New York, with a cheese weighing 1400 lbs. going to President Andrew Jackson. Can they both be true?
February 13, 2014
My five-year-old son picked this book out from the library this week. I didn't expect to really like this book, and I was pleasantly surprised.
This book is just the right mix of fact and humor, and, although it is longer than most picture books, it held my son's attention from start to finish. The illustrations are absolutely perfect for the text.
This book is just the right mix of fact and humor, and, although it is longer than most picture books, it held my son's attention from start to finish. The illustrations are absolutely perfect for the text.
February 25, 2010
I really enjoyed this tale of the giant cheese, because it offers a taste of history without revolving around some traumatic event. It is a bit of small town America, and local pride, all with real historical background.
January 20, 2023
It doesn't outright say it but is there where "the big cheese" comes from?
One town wanted all of the glory of their cheese so they created the biggest round of cheese they could muster from their cows and hard work and sleighed it on down to the White House and presented it to the president who along with other visitors of the White House munched on it for a long time. Essentially pushing out the cheese that the president was eating and replaced with theirs with the notoriety of such a feat.
It's fun and serious at the same time. And teaches readers about the way cheese is made. And the deliciousness of cheese in general. Entertaining and informative.
One town wanted all of the glory of their cheese so they created the biggest round of cheese they could muster from their cows and hard work and sleighed it on down to the White House and presented it to the president who along with other visitors of the White House munched on it for a long time. Essentially pushing out the cheese that the president was eating and replaced with theirs with the notoriety of such a feat.
It's fun and serious at the same time. And teaches readers about the way cheese is made. And the deliciousness of cheese in general. Entertaining and informative.
February 1, 2024
A fun, mostly true story about a Massachusetts town determined to preserve its reputation as making the best cheese around, when they learn that President Jefferson is serving cheese from a nearby Connecticut town in his house (the horror!) My boys enjoyed this one, and as it wasn’t an event I’d heard of, I found it delightful. It also sparked some fun rabbit trails, between checking the map to see the distance that the cheese had to travel/how long that took compared to today’s travel methods, and how to make cheddar cheese at home, thanks YouTube. (Mozzarella looks way more accessible.)
July 30, 2022
Easily on par with other stories of its kind like Henry and the Cannons by Don Brown or Gingerbread for Liberty by Mara Rockliff. Is never heard this story prior to reading this book, and I was immediately enchanted with this story of small town pluck and perseverance. They just didn't want their cheese-making business to be overshadowed by a competitor, and their solution was this over-the-top gesture. I really enjoyed it.
September 14, 2017
I really enjoyed the plot and the illustrations along with it. Not only is it a fun story about cheese, but it can also be considered a history lesson. The book can open up many discussions about colonial life.
December 11, 2018
It’s not easy to find books about history that I like for my six year old son. I brought this one home from the library and just read through it tonight. It seems excellent. It will likely end up being purchased for our home library.
August 13, 2019
This is a fun account of a 1,235 pound wheel of cheese that the folks of Cheshire, Massachusetts delivered to Thomas Jefferson one New Year’s Day at the White House. Glad we’re preserving this bit of history a little longer! Also gives kids a glimpse of the cheese making process. :)
March 9, 2018
Enjoyable book about a part of history I never knew about.
August 4, 2018
An unique story for a picture book, which was interesting and humorous at times. This book would be best for elementary.
February 3, 2020
Interesting bit of Americana.
February 14, 2020
Fell flat for me, even though I usually love Fleming's writing.
Read
August 11, 2020Part of my continuing education in kidlit (especially historical kidlit).
July 12, 2021
A fun historical picture book. Some of the historical references required some explanation for my child, but overall a fun children's book about a true tale.
March 26, 2022
I read this book at our local living history museum as part of a history-focused story time for little ones. It was a big hit with all ages.
March 26, 2022
Who knew? Fun story about a big cheese served to Thomas Jefferson.
April 8, 2025
It reads like a tall tale, and then you find out it’s a true story!
June 30, 2025
Historical picture book about cheese and the gift to President Jefferson. Good book for older elementary grades.
March 26, 2026
So nothing has really changed? giant cheese displays during hard times and new unnecessary ballrooms just to rub it in all the faces.
We, as Americans, have this distorted view of our founding as if it was all about equality and justice, but the truth of their intent/words mean something completely different than their actual definition of the words thatbare in print lol. If the world makes it 400-500 years in the future, the whole case study and interpretation of the US and our history through unbiased analysis will go down as another negative souless empire and failed experiment driven by pointless evil pursuits. I honestly dont think humankind has that long of a future tho. The elite are so oblivious they think AI will help them survive once the devastation really hits
We, as Americans, have this distorted view of our founding as if it was all about equality and justice, but the truth of their intent/words mean something completely different than their actual definition of the words thatbare in print lol. If the world makes it 400-500 years in the future, the whole case study and interpretation of the US and our history through unbiased analysis will go down as another negative souless empire and failed experiment driven by pointless evil pursuits. I honestly dont think humankind has that long of a future tho. The elite are so oblivious they think AI will help them survive once the devastation really hits
December 7, 2023
While this is an interesting tidbit of history about cheese, the town of Cheshire, Massachusetts, and President Thomas Jefferson it doesn’t come under the heading of essential US history to know. However, Thomas Jefferson was a president who had many interests and according to the picture book welcomed the surprise delivery of a 1, 235 pound wheel of cheese to the East Room of the White House. Perhaps this title will be of interest in 2026 during the celebration of the 250 birthday of the USA.
April 22, 2021
A town that makes a giant cheese for the president? Maybe not serious enough for history class, but definitely a fun story to read with kids of any age.
February 16, 2013
Based on a true story, this picture book tells the tale of a whole town coming together to make a giant wheel of cheddar for President Jefferson. Although there are some liberties taken, the town of Cheshire, Massachusetts actually DID make a giant cheese wheel and took it to President Jefferson on New Year's Day.
This is a really fun story with messages about working together, pride in the accomplishments of others, and, well...cheese! It would be incredibly fun to incorporate in a President's Day lesson, along with a brief mention of President Jackson's even bigger cheese wheel that he shared on his inaguration.
This is a really fun story with messages about working together, pride in the accomplishments of others, and, well...cheese! It would be incredibly fun to incorporate in a President's Day lesson, along with a brief mention of President Jackson's even bigger cheese wheel that he shared on his inaguration.
August 17, 2012
This is a fascinating tale about cheese: how it is made and how one town made their cheese famous by making a huge wheel of cheddar and giving it to President Jefferson at the White House. The extraordinary efforts everyone took to make the gigantic wheel of cheese and then transport it down the coast show cooperation at its best.
The narrative is informative and entertaining and the illustrations are very nicely detailed, too. I also liked reading the additional information provided in the author's note at the end of the story. We really enjoyed reading this book together.
The narrative is informative and entertaining and the illustrations are very nicely detailed, too. I also liked reading the additional information provided in the author's note at the end of the story. We really enjoyed reading this book together.
January 21, 2016
An interesting historical story of the Massachusetts town of Cheshire who think very highly of their cheese. A rumor comes to town that the President of the United States is serving Connecticut cheese at the White House. The townsfolk are horrified by this and come up with a plan to give the President the largest (and best tasting) cheese their town can make.
It fun to see how the townsfolk (all except one) come together to solve the problems inherent in making really big cheese.
Lovely illustrations.
It fun to see how the townsfolk (all except one) come together to solve the problems inherent in making really big cheese.
Lovely illustrations.
February 8, 2017
A Parker family favorite!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews