The Buck Stops Here: The Presidents of the United States (Updated Edition) [Paperback]

Alice Provensen (Author)

Book Description

This updated version of The Buck Stops Here is filled with fascinating details that enliven the histories of the presidents of the United States, from George Washington to Bill Clinton. The lighthearted rhymed text will help readers remember the names of the presidents in sequence, and the pictures connect each president to his contributions--distinguished or dubious--to American history.

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 2–4—Provensen updates her compendium of presidential portraits to include Clinton, Bush, and Obama. Rhyming couplets serve as footers beneath detailed earth-toned watercolor illustrations that fill each page with miniature scenes featuring campaign slogans, historical events with time line dates, and major accomplishments and inopportune failures. Illustrated historical events, some nonpolitical, graciously surround each man's portrait and term in office. Each president's personality is indirectly revealed through facial expressions that disclose personal struggles with some of America's most difficult executive decisions. For example, the couplet "Junior Bush, Forty-three/Plagued by catastrophe" runs along the bottom of George W. Bush's desk while the tragedy of the September 11th terrorist attacks plays out through his large picture window. Barack Obama's vignette reveals some of the world's current concerns, e.g., the war in Afghanistan and struggling economy, while his wife and children plant new seeds in their White House garden as they cultivate "hope in time of war." "Notes About the Presidents," which can come in useful when writing brief reports, are appended. Unfortunately, the "Selected Bibliography" has not been updated, and the most recent title is from 1993. Nonetheless, this is an excellent introduction to America's leaders.—Krista Welz, North Bergen Public Library, NJ
(c) Copyright 2011.  Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 60 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper; Updated edition (September 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152016287
• ISBN-13: 978-0152016289
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.2 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,002,125 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

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:

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.

1 of 1 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.