Kid Presidents, by David Stabler, illustrated by Doogie Horner

There has to be something remarkable about a person to be elected resident.  But as remarkable as some of our presidents have been, they all started out as little boys.  (Not to say there isn't some little girl out there who will someday be president!)  In Kid Presidents: True Tales of Childhood from America's Presidents, David Stabler has gathered stories from the early years of our presidents.  Sometimes inspiring, more often amusing, Stabler shows the human side of future residents of the White House.

The stories are definitely kid-friendly, aimed at the pre-teen or young teen set.  Doogie Horner's illustrations add just enough visual levity to make it interesting while not distracting from the text.  Stabler starts out by debunking the George Washington and the cherry tree myth, but many of the stories he goes on to tell sound like they are surely myths, too.  He provides an extensive reading list, so I'll assume his sources are sound.

I was mostly struck by the stories of the heroism, determination, and resourcefulness of many of the earlier presidents.  It's hard to imagine a kid being raised today in rural poverty or without a proper education becoming president.  But that's the hope Stabler offers.  I do like Stabler's cheery optimism.  "See these men who, as children, had huge obstacles to overcome?  You can do the same!"  Perhaps money, connections, and political deal-making played as big a role back then as now, and perhaps, even now, kids who start out without money and connections can work their way to the White House.

Stabler is decidedly non-partisan and gives a very positive portrayal of each president.  He avoids any reference to scandals and personal proclivities that mark some presidents' administrations.  However, I was amused by an anecdote he told about Bill Clinton.  In fourth grade, he was chosen to sing a duet with "the prettiest woman Billy had ever seen: his fourth-grade music teacher." As he sang, he "was actually courting the beautiful, sweet-smelling woman standing beside him. . . . From then on, he would be known as one of the most musical kids in his school."  But he was also known for his womanizing, which apparently started in the fourth grade!

Kid Presidents is a fun book that will be a delightful addition to a typical U.S. history curriculum.  Don't count on it contextualizing these stories much into the larger historical picture, but do count on it helping kids to see U.S. presidents as more than men in suits making important decisions as they lead the country, but as boys being boys and learning to become men.


Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!