Kid Presidents by David Stabler and illustrated by Doogie Horner (Quirk Books, October 2014) is a delightful picture book with stories of the presidents as kids. But it is not a typical presidential childhood book. Rather than following the presidents in chronological order, Mr Stabler has focused on the presidents’ childhood hobbies, trouble-making, and childhood jobs. The actual categories are “After-School Activities,” “Fantastic Journeys,” and “It’s Not Easy Growing Up.”
I love presidential trivia, so this book was definitely a favorite one for me. I enjoyed seeing the presidents as they were when they were not yet well known. Bill Clinton’s sax. Andy Jackson, the small bully who did not often win but would not give up. Lyndon Johnson’s crush on his teacher (he learned to read sitting on her lap). These are these are the stories that make these to-be world leaders real on a level young kids can relate to.
I enjoyed the illustrations as well. They were cartoons (with a touch of caricature), but realistic enough to allow the reader to recognize each president in the childish face.I loved the portrayals of the stories told and I felt the pictures and the stories complimented each other well.
Note: I received a digital copy of this book for review consideration.
