Joe Rhatigan

I really liked this book, particularly how it was arranged by themes not by family. Not only did it save the authors trying to write about the children that there is little information about (or the family that was only there a few months), but it helped to focus on what life could be like in the White House, not on the specific families that stayed there. It was interesting how the author described the lives of not only on the children (even some adult children) of Presidents, but also the show more grandchildren and other relatives. I also appreciated the glimpses of how the White House has changed: from the first families who didn't live there to the later families who are unable to escape the glare of cameras and presence of bodyguards. I think I read the entire book in one sitting -- very rare for a non-fiction -- and cannot wait to share it with others. show less

Good book for encouraging creative writing -- and sometimes using scrap materials as well. It encourages thinking about "writing" and "publishing" in a very expanded way, from many unexpected angles, and as such would be an absolute blessing to a homeschooling parent, or to a child (and the parent of that child) who likes to write to encourage them to share their writing in many different ways and not to get stuck on "I have to write a novel/a poem/whatever or it doesn't count". It could show more also be a fabulous help to a middle-grades teacher who wants to encourage thinking, writing, and artwork among students. Some of these could become THE project that a child remembers for years. You never know what will change someone's life, but this has a certain amount of potential for it. show less

I was very excited to get this book and found it incredibly interesting. You could read it from beginning to end, but just as easily flip open to any page and start reading. You can learn what Andrew Jackson's children received for Christmas, how Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt allowed their children to interrupt cabinet meetings, and that James Garfield let his children race their bicycles through the hallways. Every page has lots of pictures and interesting sidebars or graphics. You won't read show more a single page without finding at least one thing that will make you laugh, gasp, or want to learn more.

I liked how the text didn't just report the facts. It appeared to be talking to the reader. Several times the author poses reflective questions to the reader about how they would feel given the situation. For example in the chapter about how the first family is constantly in the spotlight, the author asks, "How would you handle your new celebrity status as a White House kid?"

I really like how this book allows us to remember that while the president is running the country, he also has to maintain a family life. It allows us to see him as a person and not just a figure in government. In a way, it makes him more approachable.

While this book is wonderful and one I'm excited to use both at home and in the classroom, I would like to suggest that the second printing of this book change the captions and sidebar information to use a font with mixed lower and uppercase. Reading all uppercase text is doable, but not enjoyable and is more difficult for children who are still learning to read. show less

***This book was reviewed for Moondance Press via Netgalley

Rhatigan’s picture book for children on the delights of reading is quite the treasure. I read this with my cubs. While all enjoyed it (including this oversized bookworm), it is really geared to younger ages. Beautiful artwork dominates, showing snippets from all kinds of tales. It was rather neat to recognise some, like Moby Dick.

We follow, through rhyming verse, a little boy who LOVES to read. He sounds very like me when I was a show more wee cubling, and how some of mine are now. Even today, I always have a book to hand.

📚📚📚📚📚 Highly recommended. A definite jewel to brighten any children's shelf show less