Customer Reviews
Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children 
2008-08-15
Forty-two men with various credentials, talents, sizes, and interests have served as President of the United States. This fascinating and informative book takes us on a whirlwind tour of some of the more unusual quirks and interesting features of the nation's presidents since George Washington first assumed the role. For such a big job, some presidents were quite small in stature (James Madison measured five feet four inches and weighed only one hundred pounds) and came from modest backgrounds (Andrew Johnson could not read until he was fourteen, and several men held jobs as farmers and teachers before becoming President). Just as the presidents left different legacies and made varying contributions, they also had different hobbies and lifestyles. James Monroe spent buckets of money on lavish décor for the White House, while William Harrison began each day with a walk to market and a basket on his arm.
The new edition of this 2000 Caldecott Medal winner is a must-read for its noteworthy facts and amusing caricatures. Woven in are some important economics lessons about jobs, human resources, and the economic role of government. So You Want to Be President? adds a realistic perspective to the achievements of previous presidents by drawing attention to their backgrounds, shortcomings, and antics.
A good book for the junior readers interested in presidents 
2008-02-08
A good book for the junior readers interested in presidents. An easy read and enjoyable for the younger reader.
How Come All the Presidents are Boys? 2007-07-12
This was my granddaughter's comment as she read this book. It got her thinking about sexism and politics. She was familiar with Hillary Clinton and her campaign. I'd say this is a great book for elementary school aged kids.
Great Book for All Ages 2007-06-14
I feel that this is a great book for all ages. It is full of interesting facts about past Presidents. The book points out some good things and some bad things about being the President. I think that kids would be interested in this book because it gives real life details of some past Presidents that most kids can relate to. They may find that they have things in common with some of these past Presidents. This would be a great book to read around election time and on President's Day. It is a fun book to be enjoyed by all.
So you want to be president 2007-02-28
Firstly I think you should read the book So You Want To Be President because it's a funny informing book.
Here are some good things about being president: If you are the president you are going to have a swimming pool, bowling alley, and a movie theatre. The President never has to take out the garbage. In the book there is a story about George H.W. Bush. As a boy George had to eat broccoli. When he grew up, He became president. That was the end of broccoli. Presidents don't have to eat yucky veggies.
Here are some bad things about being President: You have to wear lots of clothing. One of the president named William McKinley wore a frock coat, vest, pin striped trousers, stiff white t-shirt, black satin tie, gloves in his button hole everyday! Another thing is that you have to be polite. And you have lots and lots of homework!
I think you should read this book because it tells you lots of facts and some are funny and some are serious.
Do you want to be president? 2007-02-21
So you want to be President! Why not? Presidents have come in every variety. They've been generals like George Washington and actors like Ronald Reagan, big like William Howard Taft and small like James Madison, handsome like Franklin Pierce and homely like Abraham Lincoln.
From the embarrassment of skinny-dipping John Quincy Adams to the mischievous adventure of Theodore Roosevelt's pony, Judith St. George shares the backroom facts, the spitfire comments, and the comical anecdotes that have been part and parcel of America's White House.
Hilariously illustrated by Caldecott honor-winning artist David Small, this celebration shows us the foibles, quirks, and the humanity of forty-one men who have risen to one of the most powerful positions in the world.
Good book 2006-06-30
My daughter picked this book out at her schools bookfair. If you are thinking of giving this as a gift I would stick to the suggested age group of 9-12 year olds. My daughter at the time was seven and even though she enjoyed the book it was a bit long (for a night time story anyway.) Funny book.
Amanda's review of "So You Want to be President" 2006-02-28
I really liked this book. Everyone should read it because it's a very good book about the good things and the bad things about being President. I learned that one of the presidents's was so big he had to have a special bathtub made that could fit four regular men. Also the White House has a bowling alley, a movie theater and a swimming pool. And George Bush had to eat broccoli when he was a kid, but when he became President he didn't have to eat broccoli anymore.
* THE POWER of PEN and PAINTBRUSH ! * 2006-02-21
Judith St. George's spirited, questioning manuscript is meant to encourage students to think beyond the excitement of power and the glamour of being U.S. President - - the hubris of handing one's wife a Title equal to a Tiara! The author's intention is to briefly tell the qualifications & characteristics of those who won the presidency, from Washington through Clinton - - with considerable humor.
David Small was contracted to illustrate in his comical style what becomes a truly eye-catching book for children. How differently would reviews sound if the reviewers never saw the illustrations? Makes one wonder about the power of the paintbrush, doesn't it! Small worked in ink, watercolor & pastel chalk /AND/ photographs. Interestingly, those were only 2, perhaps chosen by Small: T.R. Roosevelt & Ronald Reagan.
We could ask the author, why not divulge that some presidents did their 'homework' BETTER than others? And, if President Clinton's unfortunate affair with a White House intern is left for parents to tell about, why not leave out altogether a lame joke about President G.H.W. Bush'es prejudice against broccoli? Too bad someone hadn't banned tobacco smoke in the White House!
When 5th & 6th graders read this book I hope they're led to choose titles from the author's bibliography to assure a balanced understanding among these future voters! Reviewer mcHAIKU states the obvious: There is a definite responsibility in creating strong impressions /AND/OR/ writing for impressionable kids who may never read much history.
Excellent Book! Highly recommend 2006-01-23
Excellent book to learn about the presidents and the presidency. We are reading it now in preparation for Presidents Day. Also, another poster stated that President Clinton was not impeached. Sorry, but he was impeached by the House of Representatives in 1998. For information on this, check out www.whitehouse.gov.
