If I Ran For President [Paperback]

Catherine Stier (Author), Lynne Avril (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: 1 and up

If you ran for president, you would have to do a lot of hard work. You would study the nation's problems, tell the American people about your platform, select a running mate, and debate your opponents on live television.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1–3—This title is a step above the usual election books, both in content and entertainment value. Six children take turns explaining the election process as if they were running for president. They discuss their decision to run, campaigning, primaries and conventions, debating, being interviewed, meeting the public, voting, and being sworn in on Inauguration Day. Stier does a good job of explaining election details, both in an introductory note about electoral votes and in the text itself. The fact that one must be 35 years of age is only mentioned in the note. The author adds flavor by providing humorous examples, such as the need to smile despite indigestion. However, the multiple narrators can be confusing. One must rely on the illustrations to know which child is speaking, and sometimes it is not apparent at first glance. The lively cartoons cheerfully clarify the action and reinforce the concepts. Libraries will want to consider this kid-friendly title.—Barbara Katz, Parish Episcopal School, Dallas, TX
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"This title is a step above the usual election books, both in content and entertainment value."

School Library Journal

"Children will come away with a better understanding of the complex election-process, and, just maybe, an enduring respect for it."

Booklist

"This is a campaign to yearn for, all issues and not a spin doctor in sight."

Kirkus Reviews

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company; 1 edition (January 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807535443
• ISBN-13: 978-0807535448
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7.7 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #210,471 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #63 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > Politics & Government

More About the Author

Catherine Stier, a former Midwesterner, now lives deep in the heart of Southwest Texas on the edge of the beautiful Hill Country. Her children's books have received honors and awards from the Society of School Librarians International, the International Reading Association and the Bank Street College of Education.

Stier has served as a regular contributor to Woman's Day Magazine and as a newspaper columnist. Her work has also appeared in Highlights for Children, My Friend and Child Life and several newspapers including the Chicago Sun-Times and the San Antonio Express-News.

Stier's lively and interactive Author's Visit programs have entertained, educated and inspired thousands of children. Visit Catherine Stier's website at www.catherinestier.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great primer for children about our country's election process, June 2, 2008

By 

Stanley Cup "Hockey Mom" (Holly Springs, NC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: If I Ran for President (Hardcover)

Yes, we have been checking out a lot of books about elections and voting since we are right in the middle of a presidential election year, and I have alot of opinions about the quality of books that are out there for children. I really liked "Grace for President" (I reviewed that one as well). I felt that Doreen Cronin's book, "Duck for President" was written more to poke fun at the process than explain it to kids so that they can understand how things are really supposed to work. But this book, I LOVE!

This book takes a very complex subject about our election process (which itself is confusing, even to adults) in the United States and breaks it down in to easily understood concepts that run from the beginning stages of announcing your candidacy through actually winning the election and being sworn in to office. Kids learn about the two party system (yes, the Libertarians are left out), the electoral college, primaries, campaigning, and campaign promises. I loved that the author chose not to dumb down the information, but instead used words that kids understand to explain how elections work. It is an excellent factual book, and the story is engaging enough for children that it will keep their attention while they learn about serious, important subject matter. It is an excellent primer that should be a requirement to be used by teachers who are doing an introduction to our country's election system. Maybe the author could send a copy to Hilary Clinton so that she too, can underand it doesn't matter what the poular vote says, it is the electoral college that counts! Just kidding to all you Hilary fans out there--no need to comment! FIVE BIG STARS to Catherine Stier for tackling a complex, complicated subject and making it enjoyable for children to learn.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for primary students!, November 29, 2008

By 

BI Consultant - See all my reviews

This review is from: If I Ran For President (Paperback)

This book was very helpful in teaching first graders about the election process. It explains so much in a breif and entertaining way that holds the attention of our young listeners. I liked the way it explained the election and voting process using accurate vocabulary without being overly wordy or boring. This book was a great find during an election year!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It was awesome, January 2, 2009

By 

T. McNeil (New York, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: If I Ran For President (Paperback)

If I Ran For President was awesome, my 8 year old enjoyed this book. He read it in one day he could not put this book down. It explained the rules of the presidential campaign to the fullest,and each illustration gave wonderful understanding. Thank you Catherine Stier and Lynne Avril