Book Review 3

Bibliography
St. George, Judith. 2000. So You Want to Be President? Ill. By David Small. New York, New York: Philomel Books. ISBN 0399234071

Plot Summary
In So You Want to Be President, author Judith St. George tackles the job of teaching students about Presidents without making it the same as reading a text book. Using little known personal information, backed up by illustrations showing caricatures of the Presidents, St. George makes the men within these pages real people. Beginning with the good and bad of being President, St. George then moves through the book sharing information about where the Presidents came from and some of their habits and imperfections. She closes the book with the oath taken by all Presidents and the message that regardless of where someone comes from, the opportunity is out there and one should be ready to give themselves completely to the job to be a good President.

Critical Analysis
St. George’s writing contains unique facts, making Presidents seem like just one of us, emphasizing the point that anyone can be President. She includes little known quotes such as Warren Harding saying, “I am not fit for this office and never should have been here,” instead of the stereotypical speech written blurbs readers are used to. Her honest approach makes no attempt to gloss over the imperfections of those who have held office, but she does not set out to destroy the images of these men, just paint them more realistically. Through her easy to read but clever writing, readers find out which Presidents liked to fight, who was responsible with money, and who was the worst dancer.

David Smalls’ illustrations add to the feeling that the President is just one of us. Instead of presenting stoic, colorless figures usually seen of Presidents, Small draws them as cartoonish figures with red cheeks and noses and uses his illustrations to make the book fun, not typical. He places them in situations pertinent to the facts discussed in the book, reinforcing St. George’s writing with visuals. Small shows Taft being lifted into his specially built tub with a crane due to his size, chicken leg in hand. When St. George suggests that having the name William doesn’t hurt when running for President, Small provides an unforgettable, playful picture of all the Williams in cheerleading uniforms, pom poms included.

Mood is also conveyed in the illustrations through color and expression. For example, Nixon and Clinton are drawn heads down, slinking down stairs with the Lincoln Memorial looking down on them after their impeachments, while shades of blue color the page in shame. Whether serious or fun, Smalls illustrations align perfectly with St. George’s words, creating a book that will not be easily forgotten by those who read it.

Review Excerpts
“Author Judith St. George--along with Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator David Small--has created a book about the presidency that's serious fun.” Amazon.com

“She serves up diverse, occasionally tongue-in-cheek tidbits and spices the narrative with colorful quotes from her subjects.” Publishers Weekly

Connections
*Lead a discussion asking students to give examples of people who have become President or are running for office that might not have believed it was possible for them in the past due to others’ prejudices. Ex. Barack Obama due to race, Sarah Palin due to age and being a woman.

Read other books by Judith St. George about Presidents and their lives including:
*Take the Lead, George Washington
*Make Your Mark, Franklin Roosevelt