POTUS
POTUS: President of the United States: one of the most powerful people in the world.
Presidents’ Day honors George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in particular. But each of the Presidents in America’s history have exerted tremendous influence on both our nation and those around the world. Therefore, our Presidents’ Day Book List includes books about more than Washington and Lincoln (although the two of them feature the most prominently).
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Presidents’ Day Book List
Books are listed roughly in age-range order. But don’t rule out a book targeting a younger audience just because you have “big kids.” Even adults will enjoy some of these biographies! Titles linked to RR reviews, where applicable, and to Amazon if we don’t have a review on our site.
George Washington Books
Don’t miss this reflection/resource by Janie: The Real George Washington. It contains valuable insight into what makes for a good biography as well as listing lots of Washington-related resources, some of which appear below.
George Washington by Caroline Grosspon Gilpin. National Geographic Kids Biographies. Early reader, ages 4-8.
George Washington by Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire. Ages 6 and up. {Amazon link}
The House that George Built by Suzanne Slade. Picture book, ages 4-8.
George Washington’s Breakfast by Jean Fritz, illustrated by Paul Galdone (cover image by Tomie DePaola). Chapter book, ages 6-10.
Phoebe the Spy by Judith Griffin and illustrated by Margo Tomes. Chapter book, ages 6-10.
George Washington by Cheryl Harness. Picture book, ages 7-9.
Who Was George Washington? by Roberta Edwards (Scholastic Who Was Series). Chapter book, ages 7-10.
George vs. George: The American Revolution as Seen From Both Sides by Rosalyn Schanzer. King George vs. General George, this picture book looks at the Revolution from both sides of the pond. Ages 8-10.
When Washington Crossed the Delaware by Lynne Cheaney. Picture book, ages 9-12.
George Washington, Spy Master: How the Americans Outspied the British and Won the Revolutionary War by Thomas B. Allen. Double agents, George Washington’s code book, and more! Middle grades, ages 10 and up. {Amazon link}
George Washington’s World by Genevieve Foster. Middle grades, ages 10 and up.
George Washington: An Illustrated Biography by David Adler. Middle grades, ages 10 and up.
Master George’s People by Marfe Ferguson Delano. Ages 8-14.
Abraham Lincoln Books
Abraham Lincoln by Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire. One of the best biographies for kids on Abraham Lincoln! Ages 6 and up. {Amazon link}
Abraham Lincoln, Pro Wrestler by Steve Sheinkin. Time Twisters Series. Ages 7-11.
*O Captain, My Captain: Walt Whitman, Abraham Lincoln, and the Civil War by Robert Burleigh, illustrated by Sterling Hundley. Picture book, ages 8 and up.
It’s Up to You, Abe Lincoln by Tom and Leila Hirschfield. Ages 10-14.
Chasing Lincoln’s Killer by James Swanson. Ages 10-14.
Abraham Lincoln‘s World by Genevieve Foster. Middle grades, ages 10 and up. {Amazon link}
Abraham Lincoln & Frederick Douglass: the Story behind an American Friendship, by Russell Freeman. Age/interest level: 10-14.
Other Presidents
James Garfield: Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine, and the Murder of the President by Candice Millard. Highly Recommended. Ages 15 and up. {Amazon link}
Theodore Roosevelt: To Dare Mighty Things by Doreen Rappaport and illustrated by C. F. Payne. Disney-Hyperion, 2013. Age/interest level: 5-9.
Theodore Roosevelt: Death on the River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Amazon Adventure by Samantha Seiple. Ages 10-12 (and up)
Theodore Roosevelt: The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey by Candice Millard. Ages 15 and up.
John F. Kennedy: Assassination and Its Aftermath: how a photograph reassured a nation by Don Nardo. Compass Point Books, 2014. Age/interest level: 9-12.
John F. Kennedy: The President Has Been Shot! the Assassination of John F. Kennedy by James Swanson. Age/interest level: 12-up.
John F. Kennedy: Jack: the Early Years of John F. Kennedy, by Ilene Cooper. Age/interest level: 10-16
John F. Kennedy: Kennedy’s Last Days: the Assassination that Defined a Nation, by Bill O’Reilly. Age/interest level: 10-18.
Ronald Reagan: Ronald Reagan: Our 40th President by Winston Groom. Ages 10+. Older teens (and parents) will also enjoy this biography that offers a great picture of Reagan and the United States during the 20th century. Reagan’s humor comes through as well as his fascinating life experiences prior to the Presidency. {Amazon link}
Compilations
America the Beautiful: Together We Stand by Katherine Lee Bates. Ages 5-9.
Rutherford B., Who Was He?: Poems about Our Presidents, by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by John Hendrix. Age/interest level: 7-10.
The President’s Stuck in the Bathtub: poems about the Presidents by Susan Katz and illustrated by Robert Neubecker. Ages 6-12.
Our Country’s Presidents: all you need to know about the Presidents, from George Washington to Barack Obama by Ann Bausum. Ages 9-12 and up.
So You Want to Be President? by Judith St. Martin and illustrated by David Small. Philomel, 2004 (orig. 2000). Age/interest level: 5-9. **look for the updated versions**
Related Reading from Redeemed Reader
- A Resource: See also our “We the People…” book list (about the formation of our government)
- More Reviews: Presidents’ Day–What the Hayes? (includes a book about the White House)
Do YOU have a favorite book about a President that we’ve not listed? Let us know in the comments!
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“President Taft is Stuck in the Bath”
By Mac Barnett
Illustrations by Chris van Dusen
Such a delightfully hilarious book!
We like almost anything by Mac Barnett.
As for poor President Taft–that’s all anyone remembers about him!
George Washington’s Teeth pub 2007
A wonderful picture book in verse about George’s dental woes that weaves in accurate history from Washington’s diaries, letters and other documents I found when my kids were the perfect age to enjoy it
The Camping Trip that Changed America: Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir, and Our National Parks pub 2012
Multiple award winning book, spotted by my husband, aka National Park Dad who took our family of five through about 7 of them in one long car ride summer!
Thanks for these suggestions, Alison!
One further “controversial” note. There has now an accumulated pile of evidence that the Warren Commission is a false account. The lone gunman was quite likely exactly what he claimed to be — an innocent “patsy.” The implications of these are so profound that people prefer to take a safe retreat in the government’s “narrative.” I suspect the JFK books on your list do this.
Yes, they do.