What do you think?
Rate this book
So You Want to Be President?
2002 SCHOLASTIC/WESTON WOODS single UNABRIDGED AUDIO CD
48 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
26 people are currently reading
2279 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,010 reviews
July 20, 2019
Presidents, presidents everywhere. This book is full of fun and interesting facts about the presidents of the US; the good, the bad and the bizarre. Each president here is mentioned at least once for something. Most of them have similar names or lived in log cabins - 9. There have been 6 presidents with the name James, 1 went by Jimmy. We learn the tallest, the shortest and the biggest president. Very little judgement is made, but it does talk about Clinton and Nixon telling lies. This was updated in 2012 so Obama is included in the mix here.
I thought this was a fun little facts filled nonfiction book for anyone interested in learning about the presidents of our country. It’s obvious some were much better than others. I have started watching Untold history on Netflix and its a great show about modern presidents and I have been learning so much, so this book is interesting right now. I do hope someday soon we can add a woman to this list. It's much needed now.
The niece loved this book. She loves little facts about things. She gave this 4 stars. The nephew thought some things were funny. He thought Taft being lowered into the bathtub by a crane was funny and some other things, but mostly he wasn’t too interested. He gave this 2 stars.
February 22, 2023
Yes indeed, I do know that Judith St. George's So You Want to be President? won the 2002 Caldecott Medal for David Small's accompanying illustrations (and the copy I read stops at Bill Clinton, although I think there is a 2012 edition which contains Obama). However, and this is a really massive and personal however, I have seldom had a more negative and viscerally guttural reaction to a picture book. And while the book cover already kind of indicated that I would not likely consider So You Want to be President? in any way a favourite, I truly and really did not expect either the narrative or the illustrations to bother me (and even at times infuriate me) as much as they have done so.
Now I guess I fondly had thought and assumed that the facts presented by the author in So You Want to be President? would at least be serious and politically, historically relevant and significant to and for me on an intellectual and even mildly academic level. However, for the most part, Judith St. George just seems to concentrate in So You Want to be President? on to and for me majorly unimportant and even rather annoying nuggets of at times strange presidential trivia and generally to such an extent that details of the politics and the ethics of the diverse presidents seem to get lost under an avalanche of silly triviality (such as which American presidents were born in log cabins, which of them knew how to dance, who was fat, who was tall and that William Howard Taft was so obese that he had to have a special bathtub built for him and so on and so on and so on). And albeit I do understand and even appreciatively realise that So You Want to be President? is a children's book and that the trivia-heavy often chatty and humorous narrative style is supposed to I guess appeal to older children above the age of seven up to young teenagers, there is (and I say that as both an academically inclined adult and as someone who remembers her childhood and that I was rather serious and scholastic even as a child) simply TOO MUCH trivia and an absolute dearth of serious information presented by Judith St. George in So You Want to be President? (an unfortunate occurrence I actually consider both a disservice to children and rather an insult to them as well).
And honestly, if David Small's accompanying illustrations had been more to my aesthetic tastes, while I would still not have all that much enjoyed So You Want to be President? on a textual and narrational level (as the latter really does massively rub me the wrong way to to speak), I probably would have considered a high two star or perhaps even a low three star rating. However, as much as I have my issues with Judith St. George's narrative, my aesthetic reaction to the accompanying illustrations has probably been even more negative. For while as mentioned above, I do well realise that David Small won the Caldecott medal for his pictorial renditions for So You Want to be President?, on a purely personal level, his often parodistic renditions really and massively annoy me, with especially the often exaggerated facial expressions of many of the presidents literally creeping me out (and indeed, that is a purely personal reaction and actually quite common for me, as I have also never much enjoyed political cartoons for precisely that very, that same reason). So indeed, while I do (albeit only somewhat grudgingly) acknowledge the artistic craftsmanship of David Small's pictures, I absolutely do not and cannot like them even partially; they simply and utterly are not at all my cup of aesthetic and visual tea (and I am also and seriously hoping the exaggerated presidential facial grimaces I have seen in So You Want to be President? will not now visit me in my dreams or rather in my nightmares).
Therefore and in closing, although I do appreciate the presidential timeline and added bibliography at the back of So You Want to be President?, these few, these two positive considerations are simply not quite enough for me and to me to consider rating So You Want to be President with more than one star (as the book is truly and massively unappealing to me both on a textual and visual level, and since I was actually expecting and hoping for a considerably more historically and politically sound and academic narrative, the lack thereof really did and does make me rather cringe and abslutely stand by my negative reactions and ranking for So You Want to be President?).
Now I guess I fondly had thought and assumed that the facts presented by the author in So You Want to be President? would at least be serious and politically, historically relevant and significant to and for me on an intellectual and even mildly academic level. However, for the most part, Judith St. George just seems to concentrate in So You Want to be President? on to and for me majorly unimportant and even rather annoying nuggets of at times strange presidential trivia and generally to such an extent that details of the politics and the ethics of the diverse presidents seem to get lost under an avalanche of silly triviality (such as which American presidents were born in log cabins, which of them knew how to dance, who was fat, who was tall and that William Howard Taft was so obese that he had to have a special bathtub built for him and so on and so on and so on). And albeit I do understand and even appreciatively realise that So You Want to be President? is a children's book and that the trivia-heavy often chatty and humorous narrative style is supposed to I guess appeal to older children above the age of seven up to young teenagers, there is (and I say that as both an academically inclined adult and as someone who remembers her childhood and that I was rather serious and scholastic even as a child) simply TOO MUCH trivia and an absolute dearth of serious information presented by Judith St. George in So You Want to be President? (an unfortunate occurrence I actually consider both a disservice to children and rather an insult to them as well).
And honestly, if David Small's accompanying illustrations had been more to my aesthetic tastes, while I would still not have all that much enjoyed So You Want to be President? on a textual and narrational level (as the latter really does massively rub me the wrong way to to speak), I probably would have considered a high two star or perhaps even a low three star rating. However, as much as I have my issues with Judith St. George's narrative, my aesthetic reaction to the accompanying illustrations has probably been even more negative. For while as mentioned above, I do well realise that David Small won the Caldecott medal for his pictorial renditions for So You Want to be President?, on a purely personal level, his often parodistic renditions really and massively annoy me, with especially the often exaggerated facial expressions of many of the presidents literally creeping me out (and indeed, that is a purely personal reaction and actually quite common for me, as I have also never much enjoyed political cartoons for precisely that very, that same reason). So indeed, while I do (albeit only somewhat grudgingly) acknowledge the artistic craftsmanship of David Small's pictures, I absolutely do not and cannot like them even partially; they simply and utterly are not at all my cup of aesthetic and visual tea (and I am also and seriously hoping the exaggerated presidential facial grimaces I have seen in So You Want to be President? will not now visit me in my dreams or rather in my nightmares).
Therefore and in closing, although I do appreciate the presidential timeline and added bibliography at the back of So You Want to be President?, these few, these two positive considerations are simply not quite enough for me and to me to consider rating So You Want to be President with more than one star (as the book is truly and massively unappealing to me both on a textual and visual level, and since I was actually expecting and hoping for a considerably more historically and politically sound and academic narrative, the lack thereof really did and does make me rather cringe and abslutely stand by my negative reactions and ranking for So You Want to be President?).
May 18, 2012
I really didn't care for this picture book. The characters of the presidents, depictions of them in women's cheerleading outfits, and farcical portrayal of them rubbed me the wrong way. I thought the facts presented about the presidents were completely random, like how many lived in log cabins and who was fattest. I guess it's good to have a sense of humor about your government, but I think this book took on too many presidents and made it too much of a joke. It was also very clearly biased, proclaiming which presidents were worst and best. Finally, this book is outdated, saying no person of color has been president.
January 13, 2017
2.5 STARS
The illustration not one of my favorites and I even found the distorted faces a bit disturbing at times. I didn't mind some of the illustrations, like the cover art, but my young son saw only the cover and called it a "scary book" and I was careful that he didn't see anything else! I'm really not sure why this won the Caldecott, though I could appreciate the effort that went into the illustrations. I also was not a huge fan of the narrative. The beginning grated on me as it was in that overly-conversational, dummy-down-to-kids style that I find so unpleasant (assuming all kids don't like to eat broccoli, for example, and when you're president, hey, you don't have to eat broccoli if you don't want to, whoopee!) I felt the text improved a bit as it went on, and I even found a few of the facts new and interesting. I personally feel that books that show presidents and other lofty figures as real human beings with foibles and hidden talents and families and pets are useful -- it reminds us that we are all just human beings at heart. Children are made to memorize many ostensibly important facts about historical figures that are also utterly boring and seem completely unrelated to their own lives. So, providing some lively trivia, while perhaps a bit "trivial" compared to these people's more lasting contributions to society, at least helps make history come alive a bit. That said, I felt that the narrative was too all-over-the-place, tossing in bits about impeachments and scandals and assassinations right along with which presidents played musical instruments or who was tallest or weighed the most. And placing value judgements on the presidencies seemed kind of out of place, too. So, overall, the book was pretty "meh" for me and I would not really recommend it and don't plan to check out any other books in the series. I far prefer books that show famous men and women as real human beings while still teaching something Important about their life's work. (I loved Jean Fritz's series of picture book biographies on the Founding Fathers for this reason.) The timeline in the back of the book provides a bit more information on each president's most important point(s) and the suggestions for further reading might be useful.
*The edition I read ended before Obama's presidency, but it appears there is a 2012 edition which, I assume, takes his presidency into consideration.
The illustration not one of my favorites and I even found the distorted faces a bit disturbing at times. I didn't mind some of the illustrations, like the cover art, but my young son saw only the cover and called it a "scary book" and I was careful that he didn't see anything else! I'm really not sure why this won the Caldecott, though I could appreciate the effort that went into the illustrations. I also was not a huge fan of the narrative. The beginning grated on me as it was in that overly-conversational, dummy-down-to-kids style that I find so unpleasant (assuming all kids don't like to eat broccoli, for example, and when you're president, hey, you don't have to eat broccoli if you don't want to, whoopee!) I felt the text improved a bit as it went on, and I even found a few of the facts new and interesting. I personally feel that books that show presidents and other lofty figures as real human beings with foibles and hidden talents and families and pets are useful -- it reminds us that we are all just human beings at heart. Children are made to memorize many ostensibly important facts about historical figures that are also utterly boring and seem completely unrelated to their own lives. So, providing some lively trivia, while perhaps a bit "trivial" compared to these people's more lasting contributions to society, at least helps make history come alive a bit. That said, I felt that the narrative was too all-over-the-place, tossing in bits about impeachments and scandals and assassinations right along with which presidents played musical instruments or who was tallest or weighed the most. And placing value judgements on the presidencies seemed kind of out of place, too. So, overall, the book was pretty "meh" for me and I would not really recommend it and don't plan to check out any other books in the series. I far prefer books that show famous men and women as real human beings while still teaching something Important about their life's work. (I loved Jean Fritz's series of picture book biographies on the Founding Fathers for this reason.) The timeline in the back of the book provides a bit more information on each president's most important point(s) and the suggestions for further reading might be useful.
*The edition I read ended before Obama's presidency, but it appears there is a 2012 edition which, I assume, takes his presidency into consideration.
November 11, 2022
This is full of a lot of fun facts and comical quotes. You may or may not agree with a few political comments towards the end but they're not big enough to be a hindrance to enjoying this book.
I got a kick out of this quote: "Truman's Vice President, Alben Barkley, told about a man who had two sons. One son went to sea, the other was elected Vice President. Neither was ever heard from again."
Ages: 7 - 10
Cleanliness: Mentions hard cider and wine. Shows an illustration of Taft naked and being lowered into a bathtub - nothing shown. Mentions how a President went skinny-dipping.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
I got a kick out of this quote: "Truman's Vice President, Alben Barkley, told about a man who had two sons. One son went to sea, the other was elected Vice President. Neither was ever heard from again."
Ages: 7 - 10
Cleanliness: Mentions hard cider and wine. Shows an illustration of Taft naked and being lowered into a bathtub - nothing shown. Mentions how a President went skinny-dipping.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
April 1, 2025
"If you want to be President—a good President—pattern yourself after the best. Our best have asked more of themselves than they thought they could give. They have had the courage, spirit, and will to do what they knew was right. Most of all, their first priority has always been the people and the country they served."
—So You Want to Be President?, P. 47
This book is a surprising, effervescent combination of sharp wit and honest wisdom that I believe does perfect justice to the ideal of what the office of President of the United States can be, and has so often been throughout our history.
Judith St. George, well-respected author of many non-fiction books for young readers, leads this tour de force look into the lives of all the United States Presidents, from George Washington to Bill Clinton (who was the current President when this book was released in 2000). This is the kind of book that I would have loved to read in grade school: the lesser-known Presidents aren't at all treated with diminished regard in comparison to their more famous colleagues, and the facts related about the Presidents are widely varied; most were things that I've heard about before, but some of the information was completely new to me.
So You Want to Be President? is much more than a trip through a field of fascinating facts about the U.S. Presidents, however. Judith St. George gives full perspective on the responsibilities and ramifications of our nation's highest office, presenting the presidency not as just containing the most powerful person in the world, but for all that it means, warts and all. She does a great job of writing all of this with vibrant humor stitched throughout, providing a good number of real laughs as we read. Who knew that learning about the Presidents of the United States could be educational and so much fun? The superb illustrations by David Small provide a master touch that is appropriately comical at times, yet can with equal effect evoke the sobering moments in the history of the presidency when the text calls for it.
The final exhortations about what it takes to be a truly great President, to be mentioned in the same breath with titans of our country's past like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt is probably the book's finest moment. The advice given by Judith St. George is so simple, and so clear, but it is also intensely germane and effective. A President has to give all that he has and much, much more, has to genuinely care about people more than the promotion of petty politics, and above all else must act with grass-roots honesty to ever become a Great President, with a capital "G". This is the kind of book that would do a world of good for so many people to read. It is as distinguished a contribution to the genre of non-fiction for young readers as any that I know. So You Want To Be President? is one of the best picture books that I have ever read, a worthy recipient of the Caldecott Medal awarded it.
—So You Want to Be President?, P. 47
This book is a surprising, effervescent combination of sharp wit and honest wisdom that I believe does perfect justice to the ideal of what the office of President of the United States can be, and has so often been throughout our history.
Judith St. George, well-respected author of many non-fiction books for young readers, leads this tour de force look into the lives of all the United States Presidents, from George Washington to Bill Clinton (who was the current President when this book was released in 2000). This is the kind of book that I would have loved to read in grade school: the lesser-known Presidents aren't at all treated with diminished regard in comparison to their more famous colleagues, and the facts related about the Presidents are widely varied; most were things that I've heard about before, but some of the information was completely new to me.
So You Want to Be President? is much more than a trip through a field of fascinating facts about the U.S. Presidents, however. Judith St. George gives full perspective on the responsibilities and ramifications of our nation's highest office, presenting the presidency not as just containing the most powerful person in the world, but for all that it means, warts and all. She does a great job of writing all of this with vibrant humor stitched throughout, providing a good number of real laughs as we read. Who knew that learning about the Presidents of the United States could be educational and so much fun? The superb illustrations by David Small provide a master touch that is appropriately comical at times, yet can with equal effect evoke the sobering moments in the history of the presidency when the text calls for it.
The final exhortations about what it takes to be a truly great President, to be mentioned in the same breath with titans of our country's past like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt is probably the book's finest moment. The advice given by Judith St. George is so simple, and so clear, but it is also intensely germane and effective. A President has to give all that he has and much, much more, has to genuinely care about people more than the promotion of petty politics, and above all else must act with grass-roots honesty to ever become a Great President, with a capital "G". This is the kind of book that would do a world of good for so many people to read. It is as distinguished a contribution to the genre of non-fiction for young readers as any that I know. So You Want To Be President? is one of the best picture books that I have ever read, a worthy recipient of the Caldecott Medal awarded it.
January 7, 2017
(The edition I read takes us through Clinton.)
Despite what others have opined in the Children's Books group, I actually sort of like this. I certainly wouldn't give it a Caldecott, but it is fun, and it does remind the reader that these men are people, with their own priorities and motivations. I learned some interesting and relevant things from the text, eg "Warren Haring was a handsome man, but he was one of our worst Presidents. (He gave government jobs to his crooked friends.) 'I am not fit for this office and never should have been there,' he admitted."
I didn't find the pictures creepy, either. Odd, but not in a horrible way. And I really appreciate the timeline that actually gives a bit of pertinent history. And the bibliography looks good for further reading.
Despite what others have opined in the Children's Books group, I actually sort of like this. I certainly wouldn't give it a Caldecott, but it is fun, and it does remind the reader that these men are people, with their own priorities and motivations. I learned some interesting and relevant things from the text, eg "Warren Haring was a handsome man, but he was one of our worst Presidents. (He gave government jobs to his crooked friends.) 'I am not fit for this office and never should have been there,' he admitted."
I didn't find the pictures creepy, either. Odd, but not in a horrible way. And I really appreciate the timeline that actually gives a bit of pertinent history. And the bibliography looks good for further reading.
January 20, 2021
2001 Caldecott
Updated to 2012 to include Obama (and thankfully he who will not be mentioned)
What a great book! Sketches of all our famous presidents, and loaded with interesting facts.
Most popular first names? (James is first)
Born in a log cabin? 8
Tallest (Abe), shortest (Madison), biggest (Taft)
Youngest, oldest, max siblings, relatives as president, thrifty, and not so thrifty, pets, musicians, sports, hobbies, jobs, education, war heroes, previous as VP, religion, attitude about being prez.
All presented in a VERY readable and enjoyable format.
(Weird I see this book available in audio format? Why? Caldecott means you MUST read the hardback!)
Updated to 2012 to include Obama (and thankfully he who will not be mentioned)
What a great book! Sketches of all our famous presidents, and loaded with interesting facts.
Most popular first names? (James is first)
Born in a log cabin? 8
Tallest (Abe), shortest (Madison), biggest (Taft)
Youngest, oldest, max siblings, relatives as president, thrifty, and not so thrifty, pets, musicians, sports, hobbies, jobs, education, war heroes, previous as VP, religion, attitude about being prez.
All presented in a VERY readable and enjoyable format.
(Weird I see this book available in audio format? Why? Caldecott means you MUST read the hardback!)
September 30, 2011
Genre: Picture Book- Historical
Summary: This book is full of kid-friendly facts about previous Presidents of the United States of America. It talks about their hobbies, pets, and favorite foods. It gives children an interesting view on life in the White House.
Critique- I loved this book because it made such a boring and over-studied subject really relatable to children of all ages. The ability for students to connect with the lives of past presidents was an amazing quality in this picture book.
Many times children, and even adults, cannot think of presidents and historical figures as average people. Many people think of presidents as God-like figures. I think it is important to show the relatable qualities of these people, so children can realize that they are not always perfect. If these children are brought up thinking about presidents in this God-like manner, they will be less likely to accept their imperfections. Everything in this book is relatable to children. St.George explains how George Bush did not like broccoli but that “Presidents do not have to eat yucky vegetables.” She does a good job demonstrating the perks of being president while also making it clear that it is a lot of pressure. She even says at one point that presidents have a lot of “homework.” Allowing the kids to relate to the past presidents gives them a chance to see that the president can be anyone. Presidents are just normal people like you and me.
Curriculum Connection: I actually wrote an entire literature unit focused around this book. The illustrations of the book were discussed, along with what caricatures are, and students drew their own caricatures. Students created their own political campaign as to why they should be president, and wrote speeches to accompany this. Students participated in literature circles where they read books on three different presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Barack Obama. Each group was to argue why their president was the most important president by either creating a stamp, a museum exhibit, or a public service announcement. Students would compare and contrast their lives with that of the president, and imagine what their lives would be like if their father became president. Students also learned about leaders, why we have leaders, and what makes a good leader.
Summary: This book is full of kid-friendly facts about previous Presidents of the United States of America. It talks about their hobbies, pets, and favorite foods. It gives children an interesting view on life in the White House.
Critique- I loved this book because it made such a boring and over-studied subject really relatable to children of all ages. The ability for students to connect with the lives of past presidents was an amazing quality in this picture book.
Many times children, and even adults, cannot think of presidents and historical figures as average people. Many people think of presidents as God-like figures. I think it is important to show the relatable qualities of these people, so children can realize that they are not always perfect. If these children are brought up thinking about presidents in this God-like manner, they will be less likely to accept their imperfections. Everything in this book is relatable to children. St.George explains how George Bush did not like broccoli but that “Presidents do not have to eat yucky vegetables.” She does a good job demonstrating the perks of being president while also making it clear that it is a lot of pressure. She even says at one point that presidents have a lot of “homework.” Allowing the kids to relate to the past presidents gives them a chance to see that the president can be anyone. Presidents are just normal people like you and me.
Curriculum Connection: I actually wrote an entire literature unit focused around this book. The illustrations of the book were discussed, along with what caricatures are, and students drew their own caricatures. Students created their own political campaign as to why they should be president, and wrote speeches to accompany this. Students participated in literature circles where they read books on three different presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Barack Obama. Each group was to argue why their president was the most important president by either creating a stamp, a museum exhibit, or a public service announcement. Students would compare and contrast their lives with that of the president, and imagine what their lives would be like if their father became president. Students also learned about leaders, why we have leaders, and what makes a good leader.
February 7, 2020
Continuing my survey of Caldecott Medal winners, this picture book won in 2000. Illustrated by David Small in political commentary style, it covers 42 Presidents of the United States from George Washington to Bill Clinton. As it says on page 16, "Presidents have come in all shapes and sizes." James Madison was 5 ft 4 in and only 100 pounds. William Howard Taft was 300 pounds.
Some of the facts about these men are a bit thinly glossed over but the author took a serious subject and injected some humor into what, in these current times, has become awfully serious.
I got the book from the library but I might buy a copy. It makes a handy reference for who was President when.
Some of the facts about these men are a bit thinly glossed over but the author took a serious subject and injected some humor into what, in these current times, has become awfully serious.
I got the book from the library but I might buy a copy. It makes a handy reference for who was President when.
January 28, 2014
It seems like this story is for all of those kids who are always saying "I'm going to be president some day!" Because, let's be honest we meet one everyday. It explains the good and bad things about being president and how each president was very unique! I do like the idea around the topic but I'm really not a fan of this one. The first thing that caught my eye were the illustrations. If I felt that they were creepy, I don't know what young children may have thought. I thought the book was a little too mature. The book throws a lot of facts at you. There's not really a story to it. It feels more like a fun text book. However, I did enjoy some of the humorous, yet true facts such as so many presidents having the same names! I wouldn't recommend the story to younger children. It is probably most appropriate for third grade and up.
April 29, 2018
So You Want to Be President?
By: Judith St. George
Illustrated by: David Small
Publication Date: 2000
“The president doesn’t have to eat yucky vegetables.” In this Caldecott medal winter, George takes the reader on a lengthy journey of all the presidents from George Washington to William Clinton. Smalls illustrations of the presidents are drawn with thin lines and colored with watercolor paint. The cartoonish- styled presidents are the best part about this book. In my opinion the best picture is on pages 14-15. The pictures do keep the reader engaged. You learn a little bit about each president but this book could be lengthy for young children. The end of the book included a timeline of the presidents 1-42, which includes their years in office, where they were born, when they were born and when they died, and a highlight of their presidency.
Rate: 3.5/5
By: Judith St. George
Illustrated by: David Small
Publication Date: 2000
“The president doesn’t have to eat yucky vegetables.” In this Caldecott medal winter, George takes the reader on a lengthy journey of all the presidents from George Washington to William Clinton. Smalls illustrations of the presidents are drawn with thin lines and colored with watercolor paint. The cartoonish- styled presidents are the best part about this book. In my opinion the best picture is on pages 14-15. The pictures do keep the reader engaged. You learn a little bit about each president but this book could be lengthy for young children. The end of the book included a timeline of the presidents 1-42, which includes their years in office, where they were born, when they were born and when they died, and a highlight of their presidency.
Rate: 3.5/5
October 16, 2016
I loved this book! The illustrations were great, and it provided many facts for children to learn about our past presidents. It gave facts that children might not have ever heard or thought about like how many presidents had the same first name or how many presidents had siblings. Judith St. George provides an entertaining way to teach children about presidents instead of just giving them the same facts. This book paired with David Small's illustrations is a perfect way to teach children about their past presidents.
January 28, 2022
I read this before it was sent to be recycled from the elementary library, but it sure is a cute, factual book that both entertained me and taught me some interesting trivial facts about various presidents (in a funny way!). I never knew that Taft was so large (300 pounds) that he needed a special bathtub built in the white house.
St. George shows us the good and bad about being a president with cute little tidbits about American presidents up to 2012. For children who like history and trivial facts, this is the most entertaining way to learn about the POTUS's of our past, and it's also a celebration of the presidency in a way that illuminates the many paths to get there, something ANYONE can do if they care or want it enough.
I had to pause for a long time after reading this:
"Warren Harding was a handsome man, but he was one of our worst Presidents. (He gave government jobs to his crooked friends." 'I am not fit for this office and never should have been here,' he admitted."
I recommend libraries NOT weed this title. Get your kids to read it, instead. Ask them to write additional pages for the book mimicking the humorous tone of the author with something interesting about Obama, Trump, and Biden (or fit their tidbits on any of the existing pages).
P.S. Did you know that 8 of our presidents grew up in log cabins?
St. George shows us the good and bad about being a president with cute little tidbits about American presidents up to 2012. For children who like history and trivial facts, this is the most entertaining way to learn about the POTUS's of our past, and it's also a celebration of the presidency in a way that illuminates the many paths to get there, something ANYONE can do if they care or want it enough.
I had to pause for a long time after reading this:
"Warren Harding was a handsome man, but he was one of our worst Presidents. (He gave government jobs to his crooked friends." 'I am not fit for this office and never should have been here,' he admitted."
I recommend libraries NOT weed this title. Get your kids to read it, instead. Ask them to write additional pages for the book mimicking the humorous tone of the author with something interesting about Obama, Trump, and Biden (or fit their tidbits on any of the existing pages).
P.S. Did you know that 8 of our presidents grew up in log cabins?
February 23, 2024
I remember this book from elementary school, so when I saw that it was a Caldecott winner, I had to read it again as a teacher and adult. I love the illustrations and how the author and illustrator include so many presidents in the illustrations and the writing of the book. Small adds personality to each president through his illustrations, which makes this book more engaging for young readers. So many books about presidents list facts that are less engaging for young readers, but St. George includes additional facts that interest young readers, such as what pets each president had or the bowling alley in the White House or that the president never has to take out the garbage. I would love to use this book in an elementary classroom around Presidents' Day or Election Day to give students another perspective on the presidents. My only criticism for this book in 2024 is that it is too old to use in the classroom for some of the facts listed in the book, such as no person of color being president, only two impeachments, and Reagan being the oldest president. However, these updates can be turned into a teaching point in the classroom to recognize the changes that have happened within the past 20 years after this updated version of the book was published in 2004.
November 10, 2009
Judith St. George writes this lighthearted informational book about U.S. presidents George Washington through Bill Clinton. Readers encounter random details about presidents that might give them a closer look into what kind of men have taken the important office in the past. To an adult, these details may seem entertaining but unimportant to the role of a president. To a child, these random facts portray the president as real people with a job they could aspire to have someday. Some of the humorous details include, William Howard Taft getting a head of cabbage thrown at him during a speech, Theodore Roosevelt’s son bringing a horse into the White House elevator, and George Washington’s love for dancing. There are some facts that show the presidents’ vulnerable sides such as Andrew Johnson not learning to write until after he was married. Not all presidents are portrayed in a positive light as Warren Harding is said to have given government jobs to his crooked friends. This book shows the unimportant, the inspiring, and the negative stories of presidents throughout history in an unconventional way. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this book is the Caldecott Medal winning illustrations by David Small. The large headed cartoon looking characters fill each page. Exaggerated scenes and attention to detail really tell the stories right along with the words. Ages 8-12.
I listened to this book on tape narrated by Stockard Channing. Throughout the entire book, patriotic music composed by Scott Huff and Robert Reynolds plays in the background. Children would enjoy this book on tape because of the create sounds effects such as George Bush's dog barking and crowds cheering during presidential speeches.
I listened to this book on tape narrated by Stockard Channing. Throughout the entire book, patriotic music composed by Scott Huff and Robert Reynolds plays in the background. Children would enjoy this book on tape because of the create sounds effects such as George Bush's dog barking and crowds cheering during presidential speeches.
October 5, 2016
1) This is such a good book to use in the classroom! This book talks about the presidents and different fun facts about them, it is filled with humor and wit, and fun facts that you would not know without reading the book. I liked it too because it shows the students an inside scoop at what being the president is really like, and is a fun way for them to learn history.
2) Age Level: 7-10 years old, Grade Level: 2nd-5th grade
3) Appropriate classroom use of this book would be used during History to show the history of America's presidents and fun facts about them.
4) Individual students who might benefit from this book would be students that are interested in History, or students who have the dream of being president one day and want to know what it would be like.
5) Small group use of this book could be each group be assigned a president that is mentioned in the book, and have each group research that president and tell some of the fun facts that they found in the book and through research to the class.
6) Whole class use of this book could be read as a class, but before reading the book have the students name off as many presidents as they can, and write them on the board. Ask them to choose their favorite president after reading the book as a class.
7) Related Books: Vote!, If I Ran for President, If I Were the President
8) Multimedia connection: There are Youtube videos of this book, and also a trailer of the book to give your students an overview of the book if they were wanting to read the book for an AR test.
2) Age Level: 7-10 years old, Grade Level: 2nd-5th grade
3) Appropriate classroom use of this book would be used during History to show the history of America's presidents and fun facts about them.
4) Individual students who might benefit from this book would be students that are interested in History, or students who have the dream of being president one day and want to know what it would be like.
5) Small group use of this book could be each group be assigned a president that is mentioned in the book, and have each group research that president and tell some of the fun facts that they found in the book and through research to the class.
6) Whole class use of this book could be read as a class, but before reading the book have the students name off as many presidents as they can, and write them on the board. Ask them to choose their favorite president after reading the book as a class.
7) Related Books: Vote!, If I Ran for President, If I Were the President
8) Multimedia connection: There are Youtube videos of this book, and also a trailer of the book to give your students an overview of the book if they were wanting to read the book for an AR test.
February 2, 2017
I am not a fan of the caricature style illustrations, but I thought the facts presented were engaging. They included a variety of facts, from the silly and unimportant to some of the more important and meaningful. It talks about the number of siblings many of the presidents had, their height and weight, whether they owned pets, and which first names are particularly common. It did not go into much detail about the different parties or policies of presidents, and some of the facts did seem a bit ridiculous. However, I felt like the last 3 pages helped tie it all together nicely enough that I feel it deserves the 3 star rating. It mentions that some people feel that those who run for president are power hungry, but then counters that by saying that many want to serve and better the country. It explains the oath that each President takes to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. And it ends with these words, "That's the bottom line. Tall, short, fat, thin, talkative, quiet, vain, humble, lawyer, teacher, or soldier--this is what most of our Presidents have tried to do, each in his own way. Some succeeded. Some failed. If you want to be President-a good President-pattern yourself after the best. Our best have asked more of themselves than they thought they could give. They have had the courage, spirit, and will to do what they knew was right. Most of all, their first priority has always been the people and the country they served."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2009
Did you know that six of our presidents were named James and four were named William? Or that James Madison was our smallest president at only five feet four inches, Abe Lincoln our tallest at six feet four inches and William Howard Taft weighed more than three hundred pounds? Did you know that most presidents went to college, but nine didn't and they included George Washington and Harry Truman. Presidents have come from all walks of life, had lots of different interests and hobbies and have found their way to the most powerful office in the world, in a variety of ways. Judith St. George has taken the stuffiness out of presidential history and written a very clever, witty book full of funny anecdotes and interesting facts. Her easy to read and enjoyable text is complimented by David Small's expressive and imaginative political cartoon-like illustrations.
This is a terrific book for 8-12 year olds, to learn the history of American presidents in a fun filled way.
Interest Level - 3rd - 7th Grade
This is a terrific book for 8-12 year olds, to learn the history of American presidents in a fun filled way.
Interest Level - 3rd - 7th Grade
January 16, 2017
I liked this book OK, but it is certainly not one of my favorite Caldecotts (like Rapunzel). I was not particularly put off by the caricatures of the presidents; and I have liked David Small's illustrations in other books, such as Imogene's Antlers. Anyway, I found most of the illustrations comical rather than creepy. This book was not intended to be a resource book on the presidents for school reports; it was intended to show children how very different the many presidents were in a humorous way; and that any kind of person (male, that is), could become a president. Of course, this sort of book becomes dated very quickly; and since this one was published in 2000, St. George was able to say "No person of color has been President. No person who wasn 't a Protestant or a Roman Catholic has been President." Not true anymore.
January 5, 2017
This book is mostly good with a couple oddities that are mildly annoying.
One of the illustrations depicts presidents who were impeached and the illustration includes both Nixon and Clinton walking out of the white house looking dejected. Of course, that isn't really a historically accurate picture of what really happened as Clinton was not booted from the white house. The text doesn't state that he was, but, the illustration implies it.
The book has a copyright date of 2000, so it was all resolved by the time this was published and obviously Clinton didn't get booted out of the white house.
Additionally, Nixon was not really impeached out of the white house but quit of his own accord after the impeachment process was started.
I mean, I understand that they try to simplify things for children, but, being misleading is not the same thing as simplifying. I explained to my 6 year old what actually happened in both cases, briefly of course and she understood it just fine.
Overall though, it is still a cute picture book with plenty of presidential factoids. :)
One of the illustrations depicts presidents who were impeached and the illustration includes both Nixon and Clinton walking out of the white house looking dejected. Of course, that isn't really a historically accurate picture of what really happened as Clinton was not booted from the white house. The text doesn't state that he was, but, the illustration implies it.
The book has a copyright date of 2000, so it was all resolved by the time this was published and obviously Clinton didn't get booted out of the white house.
Additionally, Nixon was not really impeached out of the white house but quit of his own accord after the impeachment process was started.
I mean, I understand that they try to simplify things for children, but, being misleading is not the same thing as simplifying. I explained to my 6 year old what actually happened in both cases, briefly of course and she understood it just fine.
Overall though, it is still a cute picture book with plenty of presidential factoids. :)
February 6, 2017
The intention of this book is to share humorous facts about the US presidents across the years and to share light hearted differences amongst the presidents. While I believe the intentions were pure and innocent, this book is not quite accessible for a diverse audience. On one page the author comically points out that, "if you want to be President, it might help if your name is James...[John]...[William]...[George]." From a multicultural perspective, this is sending a message to our diverse students that only people of the "mainstream" white culture have a good chance of becoming the President.
Overall, this book is a subtle reminder that white men are historically who our presidents have been, and will probably continue to be.
The illustrations were also humorous because the presidents were all caricatures, which added to the light hearted tone of the story. While overall, the story is funny, it's implications for diverse children hoping to one day be president are slightly damaging.
Overall, this book is a subtle reminder that white men are historically who our presidents have been, and will probably continue to be.
The illustrations were also humorous because the presidents were all caricatures, which added to the light hearted tone of the story. While overall, the story is funny, it's implications for diverse children hoping to one day be president are slightly damaging.
November 12, 2009
Judith St. George & David Small have created a wonderful children’s book about being the president. In So You Want to Be President?, children will learn all about what it means to be the president, what their job is, why people want to be the president, and about the rules and guidelines for running and being president. Children will also learn facts about many of the presidents. Some facts are fun like how Theodore Roosevelt had cats, dogs, guinea pigs, snakes, mice, rats, badgers, raccoons, parrots, and a Shetland pony. Other facts are historical, for example, nine presidents did not ever go to college. Children will love this book as it finds a way to make learning about history fun! While this book could be read to lower grades, I could see myself incorporating it into my middle school social studies class, as I think that upper grades would find it humorous and interesting as well.
April 26, 2014
Although everything in the story is not very informational and meant to be more intriguing and fun, I guess the plot, overall, was average. The story focused more on the enjoyable parts of the White House rather than all the tough duties presidents must attack daily. I expected it to be educational as well as fun but that wasn’t the case. The drawings seem to come out of a comic book which makes it seem like the topic isn’t being taken serious which is unfortunate. In reality, the drawings are great but I don’t believe they’re suitable or appropriate for the topic. The whole concept behind this book is weak because, in reality, it isn’t benefitting the reader in anyway. It seems to be more of a mockery than an actual informational story. I wouldn’t use this book in my classroom because it doesn’t have any true meaning behind it and isn’t interesting at all.
November 4, 2020
This was a recommendation from our Home School in the Woods Hands-on History Activity Pak: U.S. Elections. We had fun reading now this book. With cartoon-characture art and fun facts of the presidents from Geo. Washington to Bill Clinton (including mention of impeachment) this book has lots to intrigue. I am not a fan of this type of art but my children were intrigued and entertained.
We bought this one from ThriftBooks after finding it on multiple recommended lists. In my opinion I thing the text is awesome and very appropriate for an elections or government study. As I said I'm joy crazy about this form of art, but it kid friendly.
We bought this one from ThriftBooks after finding it on multiple recommended lists. In my opinion I thing the text is awesome and very appropriate for an elections or government study. As I said I'm joy crazy about this form of art, but it kid friendly.
January 11, 2017
2001 Caldecott Winner - Favorite Illustration: The last page, 46-47, where you can see Lincoln through the doorway of the White House. This is the only illustrations that doesn't have the big-headed, cartoon-like illustrations of the presidents and the only one I actually like.
The last few pages of this book are great, but the beginning 3/4 of the book are more like "random, meaningless Presidential trivia." I would very much liked to have seen more realistic and detailed illustrations as well as the names of the Presidents included on each individual page, as flipping back and forth from the index could become annoying. Not my favorite all around.
The last few pages of this book are great, but the beginning 3/4 of the book are more like "random, meaningless Presidential trivia." I would very much liked to have seen more realistic and detailed illustrations as well as the names of the Presidents included on each individual page, as flipping back and forth from the index could become annoying. Not my favorite all around.
August 8, 2018
"The president has to be polite to everyone...."
September 8, 2019
——-Caldecott Winner: 2001——
What a fantastic book! This book is very deserving of this clever, fun fact filled book about our U.S. presidents! I loved reading this to my fifth grader. We both learned a lot and laughed our way through cute things - like the fact that George Bush had to eat broccoli when he was a boy (and hated it), but when he became president, that was the end of the broccoli. There was also some interesting facts about kids in the White House and their pets. Did you know that Theodore Roosevelt’s kids had dogs, cats, guinea pigs, snakes, mice, rats, badgers, raccoons, parrots, and a Shetland pony while living in the White House! Who knew?! There are so many other entertaining facts - you and your kids will love this book!
What a fantastic book! This book is very deserving of this clever, fun fact filled book about our U.S. presidents! I loved reading this to my fifth grader. We both learned a lot and laughed our way through cute things - like the fact that George Bush had to eat broccoli when he was a boy (and hated it), but when he became president, that was the end of the broccoli. There was also some interesting facts about kids in the White House and their pets. Did you know that Theodore Roosevelt’s kids had dogs, cats, guinea pigs, snakes, mice, rats, badgers, raccoons, parrots, and a Shetland pony while living in the White House! Who knew?! There are so many other entertaining facts - you and your kids will love this book!
June 3, 2023
So You Want to be President is the 2001 Caldecott Award winner.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable book with fun facts about the first 42 Presidents of the United States. I liked the artwork b/c it's done in characature style in ink, watercolor and pastel chalk. Really fun and humorous anectdotes. I liked that they listed all the presidents that were realated, all the ones born in log cabins, all the ones with the same first names, which ones played musical instruments, which ones didn't go to college and which one's where military generals.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable book with fun facts about the first 42 Presidents of the United States. I liked the artwork b/c it's done in characature style in ink, watercolor and pastel chalk. Really fun and humorous anectdotes. I liked that they listed all the presidents that were realated, all the ones born in log cabins, all the ones with the same first names, which ones played musical instruments, which ones didn't go to college and which one's where military generals.
June 8, 2021
A truly fun and informative book that shares interesting facts about all of the Presidents from George Washington through Bill Clinton (publication time). The pictures were cute and entertaining but, the amount of facts packed into this book was astonishing. We will definitely pick this up every so often to review our Presidential knowledge and share a few giggles along the way.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,010 reviews