Our Country's Presidents: All You Need to Know about the Presidents, from George Washington to Barack Obama by Ann Bausum, Barack Obama (Foreword by)

From the Publisher

Ladies and Gentlemen: the next President of the United States will soon be included within the pages of one of our perennial favorites. National Geographic Children’s Books will publish this fully revised and updated edition of Our Country’s Presidents in time for the Inauguration of our 44th head of state—the first Presidents reference book on the market after the election.

This president will follow in the footsteps of 43 predecessors who have assumed America’s greatest responsibility: these men have faithfully executed their duties—they have signed treaties, addressed Congress, brokered peace, and waged war. Each has left his own indelible mark on the history of the United States and on the lives of the American people.

Find out why George Washington gave up his life as a Virginia planter to lead the nation; why John Taylor was deemed "His Accidency"; walk with the presidents through wars, depressions, civil rights movements, and the space race; romp with the Garfield children in a White House pillow fight; and mourn with a nation for John F. Kennedy.

This timely update will offer fascinating and comprehensive profiles of all the presidents, timelines of their administrations, historic images, and features on important aspects of their terms. A fresh cover design and informative insight about our new leader will make this volume stand apart from all other contenders, and confirm its place as the definitive family reference guide to the fascinating lives of our leaders past and present.

Children's Literature

This beautifully illustrated guide to the presidents of the United States goes well beyond a simple chronological listing of our forty-four presidents. After a foreword by President Barrack Obama, a two-page introductory discussion of the presidency, a two-page explanation of how to use the book, and a short segment called "The Presidency and How It Grew," the book does indeed continue with a description of George Washington and his presidency. All the presidents are discussed in chronological order, with each section opening with a full-page color photograph of the president's official portrait. Also included in each section is a fact box with a replica of the president's signature; his nickname; important dates such as his birth, death, inauguration, and marriage; his chief opponent; the length of his term in office; his vice-president; his children; the number of states added during his term; and selected landmarks. An essay about each president follows the fact box. In addition to the sections devoted to the presidents, eighteen related two-page essays are scattered through the book. These essays discuss such topics as the White House, the vice-presidents, the U.S. political parties, children in the White House, pollsters and polling, presidential security, and the role of former presidents. Though the book is written so that middle grade children can read and understand it, it would serve as an excellent resource for students of any age. The text is followed by a chart of presidential election results, an index, a resource guide, and a bibliography. Reviewer: Judy DaPolito

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8

This update of the 2005 edition includes a large cover photo of Barack Obama, a foreword by him, revised coverage of George W. Bush's tenure, and a brief overview of Obama's political career and election. Four new two-page essays about topics related to the presidency-White House traditions, the relationship between presidents and the Supreme Court, the use of pollsters and polling in elections and governance, and campaigning-have been added. Two previous essays about campaigns and elections have been removed, leaving a total of 18 essays with subjects ranging from a history of the White House to the elder-statesman role played by former presidents. The remainder of the book is unchanged. The profiles range from one to six pages in length and are divided into six groups based upon broad historical eras. Each entry includes information and anecdotes about the man's family, education, political career and administration, and post-presidency. They all include a full-page reproduction of the president's official portrait and high-quality photos and illustrations. This book is attractive and readable and is a good choice for libraries that do not hold earlier editions and need material on the presidents. However, despite the inclusion of information about Obama, the revisions are not significant enough to warrant replacement by libraries that own the previous edition.-Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO

School Library Journal

Gr 4-7-This attractive volume, originally published in 2001, has been revised and expanded to include the 2004 election. Sixteen pages of new material include sidebar spreads on the role of vice presidents, information on the Electoral College, past presidents as elder statesmen, presidential security, and the expanding global role of the president. The short profiles provide essential information for report writers. The book includes an appended chart of election results from George Washington through George W. Bush's second term, and information on America's changing role in the world, the White House, military conflicts throughout our history, political parties and campaigns, and important historical events of the time. The beautiful illustrations (including full-page reproductions of the official presidential portraits), current information, and user-friendly layout make this title a solid addition for most libraries.-Karen Sutherland, Bartlett Public Library, IL Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

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