My Teacher for President by Kay Winters, Denise Brunkus (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

Just in time for election season, a nomination teachers and students alike will endorse.

Oliver has been learning about the president's job, and his teacher would be the perfect candidate. She loves white houses, she's used to being followed everywhere, she attends lots of meetings, she finds jobs for people, and she believes in peace. Images of Oliver's teacher depicted during a typical school day are contrasted with scenes of his heroine carrying out presidential duties.

Publishers Weekly

Inspired by TV reports about the upcoming presidential election, a second grader named Oliver catalogues why his beloved teacher, Mrs. Robbins, is ideal for the job. The fun arises from the way Brunkus (the Junie B. Jones books) visually structures the book. On the left side of each spread, she offers a snapshot, framed in a lined-paper border, of Mrs. Robbins (who resembles a slimmed-down version of Barbara Bush) navigating a typical school day with aplomb; on the right, a realistically rendered full-bleed picture shows how President Robbins would apply the same talents and experience to leading the nation. "She's used to being followed everywhere," reports Oliver, as Mrs. Robbins leads a slightly unruly line of students down the hall (posters of past presidents decorate the walls). On the opposite page, President Robbins jogs with her dog, surrounded by an entourage of media people and secret service agents. In a nifty added touch, the artist depicts Oliver as President Robbins's bow-tied but still kid-size aide de camp. But Oliver's nomination has one condition: "Just make sure she doesn't leave before the end of the year." Winters's (Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books) narrative set in type that appears handwritten retains a second-grader's simplicity, directness and idealism ("She finds jobs for people.... She believes in peace"). The result is unexpectedly poignant, capturing how unflappable, dedicated teachers such as Mrs. Robbins are commanders-in-chief of not only their classrooms but also their students' hearts. Ages 5-up. (Sept.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Carolyn Mott Ford - Children's Literature

Oliver decides to write a letter to Channel 39 and his premise is an interesting one. The talents and abilities needed to govern the country are the same as those exhibited by Oliver's teacher. So, he reasons, why should not she be elected president? After all, she is followed constantly as is the commander-in-chief. Of course, as the illustrations make clear, she is followed by a straggly line of kids while as president she would be followed by secret service agents and an eager line of reporters and photographers. As president she would sign important bills, but the papers she signs now, such as a bathroom pass for Oliver, are also important. She knows how to put people to work and finds jobs for everyone in the class, so she could campaign on a platform of "More Jobs, More Joy." Oliver's teacher knows how to stop fights in the schoolyard, so why could not she work for peace between nations? Yes, Oliver is sure his teacher could make a wonderful president and he has only one caveat. "Just make sure she doesn't leave before the end of the year." 2004, Dutton/Penguin Young Readers Group, Ages 4 to 8.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-Oliver's class has been learning about elections and presidential responsibilities. He writes a letter to Channel 39, putting forth a plethora of reasons why his teacher would be perfect presidential material. The story proceeds with a single sentence and appropriate illustration on the verso depicting a school activity, with a picture opposite demonstrating how that activity would play out when his teacher holds the reins in Washington. For example, "She's used to being followed everywhere" shows the class parading after her in line, while on the right, secret service agents and cameramen tag along as she jogs. Winters keeps these parallels both humorous and pithy, and Brunkus's cheery, color cartoons add to the fun. Oliver's appreciation of his teacher (she can only be president if she doesn't leave before the end of the year) is refreshing. An enjoyable and timely read-aloud, and good fodder for discussion.-Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Come November, lots of people would cast their vote for Oliver's teacher-just the kind of secure, commanding, compassionate presence it would be good to see in the White House. Arranged by Brunkus in warmly agreeable two-page spreads-the left side depicting the teacher tending to her responsibilities at school, the right side showing her attending to the same qualities as chief executive-Oliver tells us of her fondness for white houses, that she likes to be followed about, likes to travel, knows how to keep the attention of her charges, doesn't mind any number of meetings, and signs important documents. Then Winters ups the ante: this gray-haired, bespeckled wise soul also knows first-hand how to react to emergencies, handle health-care issues, is interested in finding people jobs, keeping the Earth clean, and knows-here's the kicker-how to listen. It all starts so early, these fundamentals of a sensitive existence, and Winters makes the parallels simple to digest. Here's a third-party candidate to get behind. (Picture book. 5-7)

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