Presidential Races: The Battle for Power in the United States

Presidential Races: The Battle for Power in the United States

Written by: Arlene Morris-Lipsman

"Using lively text, political cartoons, photographs, and campaign memorabilia, Morris-Lipsman presents more then 200 years of presidential races - from simple campaigns to stumping, polls, television ads, fundraising, conventions, and controversies. Table of Election Results, Source Notes, Selected Biography, Further Reading and Websites, Index."

Notable Children's Trade Book Review

Online Resources:
http://www.ourwhitehouse.org/gettingthevotes.html
http://www.presidentsusa.net/campaignslogans.html
http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/americavotes/

Our County's First Ladies

Our Country's First Ladies

Written by: Ann Bausum

"Step inside the White House and meet the women who have played the roles of partners, confidantes, hostesses, and activists in the midst of American history. Read of fascinating lives led by the wives (and sometimes daughters, nieces, and friends) of our country's leaders. Ann Bausum introduces us to a private side of each First Lady, and connects each personality with the public persona to produce a book of uniquely revealing portraits.

Each profile is accompanied by a full-page portrait and a Fact Box detailing information such as education, special interests, and children. Timelines set each tenure in the context of the course of women's history, and a Facts-at-a-Glance section is a valuable resource for trivia lovers and report writers alike.

The narrative comes alive through the multi-faceted natures of the First Ladies: the legend of Dolley Madison's rescue of White House treasures in the war of 1812 crackles with drama; the description of Julia Grant's 29-course White House dinner will give you indigestion; the account of Eleanor Roosevelt's tireless public service and activism is awe-inspiring. Hers is one of many stories of First Ladies who embraced causes to make a difference: Lady Bird Johnson campaigned for the beautification of American cities and highways; Hillary Clinton championed the rights of children; while the librarian Laura Bush has been a tireless advocate of literacy."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.firstladies.org/

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/first-ladies

Jeanette Rankin: Political Pioneer

Jeanette Rankin: Political Pioneer

Written by: Gretchen Woelfle

"By any measure, Jeannette Rankin was a woman ahead of her time. She was Montana's representative in Congress before women in other states even had the right to vote. Woelfle does a terrific job introducing Rankin, beginning an attention-grabbing story in which an elderly Rankin, a lifelong pacifist, leads an antiwar protest during the 1970s. Woelfle then moves back in time, restarting the story with an anecdote about young Jeannette sewing up an injured horse on her father's ranch. Readers' interest level will stay high throughout as Rankin finds satisfaction in working as a social worker and then discovers her calling as a crusader for women's rights.

Even during her two short tenures in Congress, Rankin never abandoned her core beliefs; she voted against both World War I and II declarations of war (in the case of the latter, standing alone). The high standard of writing is matched by the book's format. Informative sidebars are well integrated, and from the intense portrait on the cover to the well-chosen photos and historical material, the volume offers interesting things to look at on every page. A time line, a bibliography, and source notes bolster this robust introduction to a fascinating figure."

Booklist Starred Review

Online Resources:
http://www.gretchenwoelfle.com/jeannette_rankin__political_pioneer_60457.htm

The Inside/Outside Book of Washington DC

The Inside/Outside Book of Washington DC

Written by: Roxie Munro

"Venture inside and outside our nation's capital for an extraordinary look at some of its many majestic locations: the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, the Capitol, the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, the National Air and Space Museum, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, RFK Stadium, and more."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://kids.dc.gov/kids_main_content.html

A Big Cheese for the White House

Written by: Candace Fleming
Illustrated by: S.D. Schindler

"What weighs 1,235 pounds, stands four feet high, and is made from the milk of nine hundred and thirty-four cows? Why, a giant cheese, of course! In 1801, the proud citizens of Cheshire, Massachusetts, boasted that their cheese was the very best. But then they heard the shocking news: President Jefferson was serving Norton cheese at the White House! What to do? Elder John Leland had an idea. A very large idea. If everyone worked together, they could make a cheese so large that President Jefferson would be serving Cheshire cheese at the White House for years to come. How the villagers of Cheshire create a true cheese-making miracle and transport it to the nation's capitol makes a spirited, rollicking tale. 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."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
(click on link in the middle of page that says, "Classroom Guide" for a PDF Teachers Guide from the author of this book)

http://www.candacefleming.com/books/bk_bigch.html

We the Kids: The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States

We the Kids: The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States

Written and illustrated by: David Catrow

"A long time ago some smart guys wrote the Preamble to the Constitution. You have probably read it before, but do you know what it means? And did it ever make you laugh? Now it will! Perfect for inspiring discussion in classrooms and around kitchen tables, this fun-filled and cheerfully illustrated look at the Preamble citizens of all ages.
Includes a glossary of terms and a foreword by the artist."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.constitutionforkids.net/

So You Want to Be President?

So You Want to Be President?

Written by: Judith St. George
Illustrated by: David Small

"From the embarrassment of skinny-dipping John Quincy Adams to the mischievous adventure of Theodore Roosevelt's pony, Judith St. George shares the backroom facts, the spitfire comments, and the comical anecdotes that have been part and parcel of America's White House."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collateral.jsp?id=798_type=Book_typeId=2649

If I Were President, If I Ran For President

If I Were President

Written by: Catherine Stier
Illustrated by: Dyanne Disalvo-Ryan

"Simple explanation of the diverse duties of the president of the United States. Beginning with campaign speeches and posters, six children of varied racial backgrounds take turns posing as the president while providing information about the rewards and responsibilities of the position. Touching briefly on various topics including the White House, Congress, the creation of laws, the cabinet, veto power, Air Force One, and the Secret Service, Stier introduces the day-to-day activities of the commander in chief."

School Library Journal Review

If I Ran For President

“This title is a step above the usual election books, both in content and entertainment value. Six children take turns explaining the election process as if they were running for president. They discuss their decision to run, campaigning, primaries and conventions, debating, being interviewed, meeting the public, voting, and being sworn in on Inauguration Day. Stier does a good job of explaining election details, both in an introductory note about electoral votes and in the text itself....The author adds flavor by providing humorous examples, such as the need to smile despite indigestion....The lively cartoons cheerfully clarify the action and reinforce the concepts. Libraries will want this kid-friendly title.”

School Library Journal Review

Online Resources:
http://www.whitehousehistory.org/whha_classroom/classroom.html

Woodrow for President: A Tail of Voting, Campaigns, and Elections

Woodrow for President: A Tail of Voting, Campaigns, and Elections

Written by: Peter Barnes
Illustrated by: Cheryl Shaw Barnes

"Woodrow For President tells the story of how Woodrow G. Washingtail, the star of Woodrow, the White House Mouse, got to the White House. The book explains the electoral process to children in fun, rhyming verse, from Woodrow's humble beginnings as a child in Moussouri and his first election to public office, to his inauguration as president of the United Mice of America!"

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/photogallery/the-presidents

Woodrow, the White House Mouse

Woodrow, the White House Mouse

Written by: Peter Barnes
Illustrated by: Cheryl Shaw Barnes

"Children learn about the White house and the work of the president through the adventures of Woodrow G. Washingtail, president of the United Mice of America, and his family."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents

Marshall, the Courthouse Mouse: A Tail of the U.S. Supreme Court

Marshall, the Courthouse Mouse: A Tail of the U.S. Supreme Court

Written by: Peter Barnes
Illustrated by: Cheryl Shaw Barnes

"Children learn about the Supreme Court and the legal system through the work of Marshall J. Mouse, Chief Justice of the United Mice of America."

Publishers Description


Online Resources:

House Mouse, Senate Mouse

House Mouse, Senate Mouse

Written by: Peter J. Barnes
Illustrated by: Cheryl Shaw Barnes

"Children learn about how are laws are made in Congress, when the Squeaker of the House and the Senate Mouse-jority leader must pass a bill to establish a national cheese!

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
www.congressforkids.net
http://kids.clerk.house.gov