The Buck Stops Here: The Presidents of the United States [Library Binding]

Alice Provensen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1990

Detailed pictures present both personal and political facts about the Presidents of the United States and some historical events occurring during their terms.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Provensen was 10 years old in the election year 1928, and in her introduction to this remarkable new work she recalls skating through the streets of Chicago shouting with delight, "Hoobie Heever for President!" and echoing Calvin Coolidge's famous "I do not choose to run!" Now, with The Buck Stops Here , Provensen provides children with 41 delicious slices of history and a jumping-off point for their own political awakenings--and she does it in glorious style. Square, oversized pages feature portraits of each president, rendered in the artist's familiar, folksy paintings. The portraits are surrounded by lively depictions of the issues, achievements (and, in some cases, missteps and misconducts) that marked each chief executive's years in office, stirring bits of presidential speeches, as well as significant nonpolitical events from those years. Rhyming couplets incorporate each name and number with easy-to-remember phrases about each presidency: "Teddy Roosevelt, Twenty-six / Whisper softly, wave big sticks." All of these details manage to convey the larger-than-life qualities that helped carry these men to the White House and, at the same time, remind us that presidents are only human. This shining example of children's nonfiction clearly illustrates why this important category is gaining a foothold in bookstores. Like all the best nonfiction, Provensen's work should tempt readers to further research. Yet the book is also a treasure in itself; no matter how often one mines its informational gems, its riches are not depleted. The Buck Stops Here has all the feel of an immediate classic. All ages. (Sept.).
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-- Children will be pleased to make the acquaintance of the 41 U. S. presidents in this large format book in which so much delights the eye and intellect that each page encourages encore perusals. Strikingly illustrated in predominantly earth-toned watercolors, this pictorial compendium shares anecdotal and notable events connected with each president's term. Individual vignettes offer numerous incidental and momentous points of interest displayed with artistic ingenuity and brevity of text. Arrays of campaign memorabilia, mini scenes, and portraits appear in energetic arrangements with facts and slogans. Two-line rhymes offer a whimsical way to remember presidential sequences: "Teddy Roosevelt, Twenty-six,/ Whisper softly, wave big sticks." Other relevant information appears in the back. Omitted from statistics are wives, children, and vice presidents; only seven First Ladies receive any attention. Eleanor Roosevelt is captioned as "First Lady of the World," but no details are provided. The depiction of the articulate and influential Abigail Adams hanging wash in the East Room or the out-of-context quotation of Martha Washington's ("I am more like a state prisoner . . . ") makes this minimal coverage questionable and lacking in substance. But, as an informal invitation to meet the country's leaders, this engaging book offers readers a unique visual adventure. --Ellen Dibner, East School, Long Beach, NY
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Library Binding: 55 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins (September 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060247878
• ISBN-13: 978-0060247874
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 11.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,439,138 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and Educational, February 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Buck Stops Here: The Presidents of the United States (Updated Edition) (Paperback)

While many of the facts are not those that will be required of students, it is enjoyable reading for both parent and child. There are lots of fun tidbits - perfect for the next trivial pursuit game or Jeopardy! challenge. All kidding aside, there is a plethora of interesting facts, and just enough to keep children interested. We highly recommend this book!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Shamefully brings bias to children's book, June 21, 2011

By 

JM in NY (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Buck Stops Here: The Presidents of the United States (Updated Edition) (Paperback)

The author's of this book shamefully show a political bias in their treatment of Presidents in this book. Flip to the facing pages of Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, for instance, and you will find Reagan's page says "Challenger Disaster, savings and loan failures, 500k people protested nuclear arms" etc, etc. Carter, on the other hand, says things like "modest carter, human rights as the key element of foreign policy, restore all that is good and decent and honest and truthful and fair and competent", etc, etc. Amazingly, it even says "Iran returned hostages to the US" under Carter, which actually happened under Reagan! I am always disgusted when authors use a children's book to push their own agenda, and actually inlcuding misinformation is just revolting! Shameful.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GET THIS BOOK FOR YOUR KIDS, October 24, 2001

By 

steveosan (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Buck Stops Here: The Presidents of the United States (Rev. Ed) (School & Library Binding)

My grandmother gave me this book when I was 6 or 7. I can now recite all the presidents in order and it is honestly from associating their names with the pictures and jingles accompanying each executive. It's funny...I actually visualize in my head this book page-by-page when I'm trying to remember. It was one of my favorite, if not my absolute favorite, childhood book. If you want your kid to learn the presidents well, buy The Buck Stops Here by Alice Provensen.