EducatingParents.org rating: Under Review

This graphic novel explains in a clear yet engaging way the history behind the United States role of President, the role of the President in the government, how they are elected, information about the white house, etc. I would use this book in a 5th grade classroom setting or a 6-7th grade setting. I think it would be an awesome choice within a classroom library, and although I would not use this book as a daily read aloud, I think portioning up the book into the various topics and chapters can support different units when studying the United States government and its' history.

I know this is a kid’s book. That being said, when I saw President Lincoln being carried by a stork, I knew I had to read it (you can judge a book by its cover!). And it certainly lived up to that cover. Equal parts informative and humorous, this is the perfect book to trick your kid into learning. Or, if your education has failed you, as mine has (on the government front), it’s a good refresher on all that you should have learned way back in high school. Granted, this book focuses on the president, but it does give an overview of the creation of the United States government, the three branches (Executive, Legislative, and Judicial), the voting system, and so much more! (the book likes to present itself as a nonsensical book filled with random presidential facts, and while all of that is true, it is also filled with useful and important information *gasp*).

One caveat. The book can treat sensitive topics rather crassly. Basically the only topic Michael Townsend can take seriously is the threat of a nuclear war. Townsend (author extraordinaire) finds humor in topics that some might find offensive. The crassest part – in my own personal opinion – was when he made light of American Revolutionaries freezing and starving (“I can’t feel my legs” (50) being a literal line from the book).

Besides the PC blunders, this book is an entertaining refresher on the basic government that we should all know (and I hope I’m not the only one who doesn’t).

(Note: Although I am referring to this as a book, it is technically a graphic novel. DEAL WITH IT)
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This book is about what the President and the congress do. I think this book is very unique because the author used comic book style to tell readers about the history of the Presidents. Instead of boring textbook style, the author used silly kids who want to become Presidents when they grow up, but don’t know what Presidents do. I think the author chose to write this book in comic style is because he wanted kids to enjoy reading history books. I would rate this book 7 out of 10. ( )

The goofy approach is bit much for my taste but Townsend packs lots of great information in this book along with the silliness. ( )