So You Want to Be President

So You Want to Be President
Judith St. George

Philomel Books
New York
2000

This Caldecott Medal Award winner discusses the first 41 presidents. It talks about the presidents in a manner that makes them seem more human. For example, it discusses embarrassing moments, their pets, where they are from, etc. It also tells interesting facts like how many presidents are name James, which presidents are related, and how many grew up in log cabins.


Noteworthy Features:

• Pictures: The pictures in this book are funny. They are drawn in a comedic and colorful manner. Most of the pictures are exaggerated in some way, making the pictures funny, but also help make the point the author is trying to make about the president(s). 
• Language: This book is written in a way that is easy to understand. It is a book of funny or interesting facts, but it does not read like reading a bunch of facts. It is entertaining and engaging.

This is a great book for students to read for social studies. It allows the students to see that even though the president has a very important job, all the presidents were people and have human qualities like themselves. They will learn interesting facts about the presidents that may not be the most important, but do allow the students to have a different perspective of the presidents. Students will find this book funny and want to read it. After reading this book, students may be more interested in learning more about the presidents (giving teachers an in to teach the important facts!)

Links for Classroom Activities:

• http://mrswarnerarlington.weebly.com/unit-25-so-you-want-to-be-president.html
  This link leads to a fourth grade teachers website. The website includes many ideas to use with this book. Some of the topics in this link include: about the author, puppet video of books, and a slideshow about the book. 
• https://www.teachervision.com/presidents/literature-guide/5241.html
  This link leads to a page that contains 10 tips for teaching using this book!
• http://bookinitat50.blogspot.com/2012/10/lesson-plan-so-you-want-to-be-president.html
  This is a social studies lesson plan using this book.