Books+about+Presidents



Once again, Barnes and Noble provides an outstanding selection/display to help us all celebrate Presidents' Day in February. Gone are the days of just learning about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in honor of the National Holiday...new books are published each year to assist us in learning about all the Presidents. Plus, we are given new forms of learning about them other than books...GAMES, GAMES, GAMES!

1. FANDEX, Family Field Guide, Knowledge at Your Fingertips, The Revised and Updated New President, New Edition. It's in this 52 Die-Cut Card Fact Sheet that you can learn about the one president who endured the childhood nickname of "Useless". Plus, learn the name of the president who served two non-consecutive terms. Finally, which president served two non-consecutive terms and which one served as chief justice of the Supreme Court? This is a easy way to learn fun facts about our 44 presidents with the entire family. $10.95 2. Who Was George Washington? by Roberta Edwards and Who Was Ronald Reagan? by Joyce Milton as two small chapter reads for children of grades 3 or 4. In 2011 if you purchase two books from this series, you get the third for free. You will undoubtedly find your favorite president or hero among this series. 3. Just in Time, Abraham Lincoln by Patricia Polacco...my favorite of children's book writers. This is her latest and most compelling contribution to the literature world. I can't say enough about this picture book that is for all ages...independently read by students of Grade 3 and above, even though it is a picture book. Polacco's text and illustrations portrays the heartache that Lincoln feels as he sends men to war, knowing that some of them will not return. It begins with children visiting a Civil War Museum and then being caught in a time-machine that takes them back to the days of the Civil War with Lincoln as their tour guide. The text and illustrations depict history of battlefield after battlefield. Just amazing! An awesome teaching tool. 4. Lincoln and Douglas, An Americna Friendship by Nikki Giovanni. In this story of friendship and shared ideals, Lincoln invited Douglas to his Second Inauguaration Celebration. Although one is black and one is white, one was born a slave and one was born free, they both were instrumental in the abolishment of slavery and were friends. The story provides an insight of this friendship that many students may have gone through school without knowing about it, if not for Nikki Giovanni's contribution. Well Done! 5. Jack's Path of Courage, The Life of John F. Kennedy by Doreen Rappaport This book proves to children that you can conquer dreams when you are faced with many problems. A story of strength, compassion, determination and courage. It's a picture book...written for children...but I learned about a part of John F. Kennedy's childhood that was unknown to me. Illustrations by Matt Tavares are perfect with the text. The text is written in the style that Rappaport has become famous...the font changes within the same page to call attention to quotes and important text. 6. Presidential PETS by Laurel Driscoll. Just a light-hearted book of pets in The White House. It shows the HUMAN side of presidents. 7. Barnes and Noble provides an outstanding section of educational games...I love their area on AMERICA, THE UNITED STATES. My students play several games from this area during inside recess and they don't even know that they are learning. a. United States Bingo, b. the Bcrambled States of America Game, and c. Puzzles Galore of U.S. Maps that help the kids strengthen their state, capitals and location of each state in relation to other states.