Customer Reviews

If I Ran For President

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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

Ben is a young genius, of sorts, and summarizes what he would do if he ran for president. Ben goes over hard decisions, former presidents, speeches, and campaigning. Then the books shifts into other children wanting to run for president including Claire and Marco. Overall, I strongly believe this book should be introduced to promote civics in children's lives. Parents and Teachers will find this book to be a great teaching tool for children to understand the sometimes hard to understand election process.

This is the most entertaining and informative book on elections that I have come across. As a homeschoooler it has been a struggle to find an entertaining as well informative source to help explain the election process to my 1st grader. This book spells it out in simple language and straight forward illustrations.
We have just finished a two week "Five In A Row" style unit study based completely on this book

Well Done! I too highly recommend Grace for President

If I Ran for President summarizes a presidential candidates journey from dreaming about being president to Inauguration Day. The simple book is clear, understandable, and "sneaks" big ideas and concepts into the story. I used this book to teach 1st-3rd-graders about the presidential candidacy process during the 2008 Presidential race. By the time I was done reading the book, I had several Presdidential hopefuls already planning their run for the White House!

The shipping took forever even though I signed up for 2 day delivery. The book was in great shape.

If I Ran for President does a fantastic job of explaining the election process to kids! I am a former first grade teacher and I would definitely use this book with that age group. However, it has such great concepts it could be used for much older children as well. When I read this book to my own kids (8 and 4) it always leads to some discussions about politics. My 8 year old actually asks me questions about the election, now. Also, I love the way this book ends, it is a perfect lead in to Catherine Stier's other exceptional book, If I Were President. That book could even be used with younger children because it does a fantastic job of educating children about some of the responsibilities a president has, but does it with a humorous touch that would keep their attention. I don't think you can go wrong with a book by Catherine Stier and I hope we see more from her!