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1 of 1 copy available
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Creators
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Publisher
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Awards
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Release date
January 1, 2002 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9781339055633
- File size: 28667 KB
- Duration: 00:59:43
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Languages
- English
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Levels
- ATOS Level: 4.8
- Lexile® Measure: 850
- Interest Level: 4-8(MG)
- Text Difficulty: 4-5
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Reviews
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St. George's romp through history, pointing out the similarities and peccadilloes of our famous forefathers, is absorbing and entertaining, offering little bits of presidential trivia. Touching subjects pertinent to kids, like presidential pets, homework, and the negatives and positives of the job, St. George's text is full of fascinating detail. Next, add an excellent score--jaunty, bouncy versions of a variety of patriotic songs--and a perfect narrator. Stockard Channing narrates like an old-time barker and manages to be slightly irreverent as well. She changes moods easily while pointing out the all-too-human highs and lows of our presidential history. Although some of the humor and vocabulary make this appropriate for older students, younger students will definitely enjoy the illustrations and information. W.L.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2003 ALA Notable Recording (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine -
Judith St. George shares delightful details--the "good things" and the "bad things" about United States presidents from Washington to Clinton. The traits include the definitive, such as a discussion of presidential size; the humorous, such as a description of the bathtub of William Howard Taft; the catchy, such as the number of presidents with the name John; and the intimate, such as the antics of Teddy Roosevelt's children. She poignantly touches on deeper issues: presidents who have not been prepared for the office, those who have not been honest, and the responsibilities and possibilities of the job. Brain Keeler sets a fast, dignified pace, and it takes multiple listenings to assimilate all the details. As this title was a Caldecott winner, the listening experience is enriched by having the book in hand. David Small's illustrations add such detail to the narration that the listener comes away with a much more comprehensive appreciation of the presidential office. A.R. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine
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July 31, 2000
HThis lighthearted, often humorous roundup of anecdotes and trivia is cast as a handbook of helpful hints to aspiring presidential candidates. St. George (Sacagawea; Crazy Horse) points out that it might boost your odds of being elected if your name is James (the moniker of six former presidents) or if your place of birth was a humble dwelling ("You probably weren't born in a log cabin. That's too bad. People are crazy about log-cabin Presidents. They elected eight"). She serves up diverse, occasionally tongue-in-cheek tidbits and spices the narrative with colorful quotes from her subjects. For instance, she notes that "Warren Harding was a handsome man, but he was one of our worst Presidents" due to his corrupt administration, and backs it up with one of his own quotes, "I am not fit for this office and never should have been here." Meanwhile, Small (The Gardener) shows Harding crowned king of a "Presidential Beauty Contest"; all the other presidents applaud him (except for a grimacing Nixon). The comical, caricatured artwork emphasizes some of the presidents' best known qualities and amplifies the playful tone of the text. For an illustration of family histories, Small depicts eight diminutive siblings crawling over a patient young George Washington; for another featuring pre-presidential occupations, Harry Truman stands at the cash register of his men's shop while Andrew Johnson (a former tailor) makes alterations on movie star Ronald Reagan's suit. The many clever, quirky asides may well send readers off on a presidential fact-finding missionDand spark many a discussion of additional anecdotes. A clever and engrossing approach to the men who have led America. Ages 7-up.
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