Customer Reviews

Homes of the American Presidents Coloring Book (Dover History Coloring Book)

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2 star:		(1)
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Got this book at the Monticello bookstore and, while it's been fun to color, it has a number of perplexing elements.

First, the choices of houses are odd. For some presidents, two houses are included. This is perfectly fine and can help tell the story of a president like Lincoln.

But Presidents Monroe, Taylor, Fillmore, Arthur, Cleveland, McKinley, and Ford are left out entirely. Meanwhile, William Henry Harrison, the shortest-serving President ever, gets two houses in this book. What gives, Bruce?

Second, the portraits, as the previous reviewer pointed out, don't add much. And their execution leaves something to be desired. Franklin Roosevelt's portrait makes him look like an ice-cream man. Jack Kennedy looks like he is on xanax, and poor LBJ just looks like he hasn't slept in a week and just went three rounds with George Foreman.

I am greatly enjoying coloring these pictures, as there are a wide variety of house styles and they are all very well drawn.

I personally could have done without the drawing of the President who was born there, or lived there, which is superimposed on most pages along with the house, as my interest is only in the houses.

However, the information given about each President is interesting.

The drawings have intricate, small details--not for a young child. This is a coloring book for an adult who is interesting in architecture.