A Time to Act: John F. Kennedy’s Big Speech
Author: Shana Corey
Illustrator: R. Gregory Christie
Publisher: North South
Recommended Age Range: 7 to 11
Website
Awards: School Library Journal Best Book of 2017; Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2017; A Junior Library Guild Selection
Abe Lincoln: the boy who loved books
Author: Kay Winters
Illustrator: Nancy Carpenter
Publisher: Aladdin Paperbacks, Simon & Schuster
Recommended Age Range: 5 to 8
Website
A beautiful story about Lincoln’s life, including his values, his trials, his brilliance, and of course, his love of reading.
Awards: Junior Library Guild selection; A Children’s Book-of-the- Month Club Main Selection (January, 2003); Selected as one of 5 non-fiction books for the 2003 Chapman Awards for Best Classroom Read-Alouds on PlanetEsme.com; Named by the Chicago Public Library to their Best of the Best list of recommended children’s books published in 2003; Selected by Bank St. College for their Best Books List of 2003; A Scholastic Book Club selection with an accompanying audio tape; Selected by PBS as a recommended social studies title; Included in the list of Best Books of 2003 by the Center for Children’s Books
Abe Lincoln’s Dream
Author: Lane Smith
Illustrator: Lane Smith
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Recommended Age Range: 5 to 9
Website
This is presidential history at its best. When a little girl meets Abraham Lincoln’s very amicable ghost at the White House, they share wonderful adventures with a few jokes thrown in (apparently, Lincoln was known to be a pretty funny guy and he loved kids). What is so endearing about the story is that it’s a little girl that shows Lincoln just how much his accomplishments have influenced our country. Wonderful!
Big George: How a Shy Boy Became President Washington
Author: Anne Rockwell
Illustrator: Matt Phelan
Publisher: Harcourt/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Recommended Age Range: 6 to 9
Just Like Abraham Lincoln
Author: Bernard Waber
Illustrator: Bernard Waber
Publisher: Scholastic (Pbk.)
Recommended Age Range: 4 to 8
Website
Lincoln Tells a Joke: How Laughter Saved the President (And the Country)
Author: Kathleen Krull & Paul Brewer
Illustrator: Stacy Innerst
Publisher: Harcourt Children’s Books, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Recommended Age Range: 6 to 9
Awards: Smithsonian’s 2010 Notable Books for Children
Website
Looking at Lincoln
Author: Maira Kalman
Illustrator: Maira Kalman
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books, an Imprint of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Recommended Age Range: 5 to 8
Website
Looking at Lincoln is a brilliant book about Lincoln’s life – all from the perspective of a child. With interesting facts (there are over 16,000 books about Lincoln!), beautiful pictures, humorous comments, and entertaining stories, this is one of the best children’s books about our 16th president.
Awards: SLJ Best Children’s Books 2012, Nonfiction; Bulletin Blue Ribbon 2012, Nonfiction; IRA Children’s Choices, Young Readers, 2013; NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2013, Biography
Mr. Lincoln’s Whiskers
Author: Karen B. Winnick
Illustrator: Karen B. Winnick
Publisher: Boyds Mills Press
Recommended Age Range: 4 to 8
Website
Mr. Lincoln’s Whiskers is based on a true event that disappeared into the history books only to be rediscovered by a children’s author (lucky us!) This book is a charming story about a little girl who thinks Lincoln would look a bit happier, and not quite so thin, if he grew a beard. To this end, she writes him a letter. Lincoln not only writes her back, he looks for her in her hometown – after winning the presidency – to thank her for the letter and show her the beard he actually grew because of it. You’ll never look at a $5.00 bill the same way again!
So You Want to Be President?
Author: Judith St. George
Illustrator: David Small
Publisher: Philomel Books
Recommended Age Range: 7 to 12
This book not only covers many presidents, it talks about what it’s like to live in the White House. Children love the idea of having their own bowling alley and movie theatre; however, having to dress up all the time seems to dim their enthusiasm (well most). ☺ My favorite part about reading this book aloud – hearing who wants to be president, as well as those who simply want to live in the White House for the amenities. A wonderfully fun read!
Awards: Caldecott Medal, 2000
What Presidents are made of
Author: Hanoch Piven
Illustrator: Hanoch Piven
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division
Recommended Age Range: 6 to 10
What Presidents are made of is one of the most creative books on presidents ever published. Using objects to represent specific characteristics of each of these men, and a humorous story to go with them, Piven has a way of teaching history that is both amusing and educational. Some favorite items include: Flag pins for Washington’s eyes; jelly beans for Reagan’s eyes, nose, and mouth – apparently he liked them☺; a flipper for Kennedy’s nose (for saving his fellow soldier after his ship was sunk); and a hot dog for George W. Bush’s nose – he owned a baseball team!
Awards: Parent’s Choice, Recommended; Elected by Time Magazine as One of the Best Children’s Books of 2004