From the Publisher
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.
The Washington Post -
Lisa Von Drasek
…a clever picture book portrait of a little girl who fantasizes about what it would be like to be president…The girl's deadpan declarations—"A president has special privileges. One word: Veto!"—perfectly balance Smith's animated cartoon art.
Publishers Weekly
Smith, who slyly recast U.S. history in John, Paul, George and Ben, introduces a zealous, freckled girl with presidential aspirations. Refreshingly, Katy skips the hand-wringing and never questions whether a girl could become commander-in-chief-instead, she behaves as if she is president already, fulfilling official duties at home and in school. Attired in a dark pantsuit, she brashly inserts herself in a Boy Scout "photo op," attends a pet frog's "state funeral" and treats an oral report as a press conference: "No comment. I'll get back to you on that." In mixed-media sequences with emphatic type, Smith mingles earnest words with visual jokes, such as the trail of small American flags Katy leaves in her wake. He depicts the heroine wielding the veto (the cafeteria's tuna casserole gets a nay) and, in florid script, crafts unofficial "Hail to the Chief" lyrics praising "the most awesome one of all" and "her rad administration." At one point, Katy crows in capital letters, "Why, the president is the most important person in the whole wide world!" (Tiny lowercase letters add, "And the most humble.") Smith gazes into the national future and just as ably skewers the pitfalls of political office. Ages 4-8. (July)
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Children's Literature
Author/illustrator Lane Smith playfully depicts a bossy girl who sets herself up as president of her own small world. Like the commander in chief, she enjoys "special privileges" and uses her power to veto the school's tuna casserole. She chooses a "capable cabinet," which includes Mr. Potato Head as Secretary of Agriculture and a reclining sock monkey as Secretary of Naps. She seems to have everything under control, until bedtime finds her "pooped" from all the responsibility and deciding to delegate one last task to the vice president. Smith expertly balances a minimalist text against colorful double-page spreads, many with multiple panels that humorously portray the pint-sized Head of State. Reviewer: Mary Quattlebaum
School Library Journal
K-Gr 3- A confident girl walks readers through a typical day at home and at school (Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary) as she fantasizes about herself as president. Her first executive order is for waffles. She then negotiates a treaty between a cat and dog and appoints a toy cabinet; Mr. Potato Head is a dapper Secretary of Agriculture. In decisive fonts, the Head of State vetoes tuna casserole and other schoolhouse aberrations. She "leads by example" when it's time to straighten up her bedroom, but wisely delegates an ambassador's visit to the VP as weariness sets in. Smith's understated text is accompanied by clean, cleverly designed compositions. The heroine's trapezoidal head and triangulated body are offset by stylized trees whose leaves are trimmed to float in perfect orbs. In what appears to be mixed media involving digital and hand-painted scenes as well as collage, the artist creates a '60s feel with earth-toned backgrounds that resemble the faux grass wallpaper so evocative of the period. Mid-20th-century games and presidential biographies for children are part of this fearless leader's paraphernalia. As in Smith's other spoofs, this book blends message with medium for maximum delight. Kathleen Krull's A Woman for President (Walker, 2004) and Jarrett Krosoczka's Max for President (Knopf, 2004) offer complementary glimpses at females and the Executive Branch. Hail to the chief!-Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library
Kirkus Reviews
A deadpan text outlines a president's extensive duties, while Madam-a ponytailed girl in a snappy pin-striped pantsuit-trips through an exhausting day, bestowing small American flags as she goes. Smith's illustrations combine cartoonish figures, mod interiors and stylized landscapes a-swirl with fall leaves. A whimsical double-page spread proclaiming "A president must choose a capable cabinet" pairs toys with their official titles: Mr. Potato Head is Secretary of Agriculture, for instance, and a winged unicorn is "Secretary of Fantasy." Such retro elements as a deck of Old Maid cards and a Ruth Buzzi button will tickle adults, as might a Duck Soup-derived reference to "[t]he ambassador of Freedonia." Children can squint at the spines of Madam Prez's library (which leans to American history) and spot scores of visuals signaling her obsession (presidential busts, a pet cat doubling as a Secret Service agent). Though the Oval Office here is no more than a messy bedroom, this funny romp lightly delivers a hefty message for today's girls: The White House is yours for the taking. (Picture book. 4-8)
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