If I Were President [Hardcover]

Catherine Stier (Author), DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1999 | Age Level: 5 and up

A simple description of the duties, responsibilities, and traditions of the office of president.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-A simple explanation of the diverse duties of the president of the United States. Beginning with campaign speeches and posters, six children of varied racial backgrounds take turns posing as the president while providing information about the rewards and responsibilities of the position. Touching briefly on various topics including the White House, Congress, the creation of laws, the cabinet, veto power, Air Force One, and the Secret Service, Stier introduces the day-to-day activities of the commander in chief. Illustrations in acrylics, gouache, and pencil give the book a lighthearted look; pictures reveal such details as serving chocolate-chip cookies at a cabinet meeting, lighting the nation's Christmas tree, and pondering the possibility of being the fifth face carved into Mount Rushmore. Similar in content to Patricia Quiri's The Presidency (Children's, 1998), Stier's book offers concise information for a younger audience.
Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

This easy picture book provides a nice introduction to the presidency for primary-grade children. In short, simple sentences and mostly broad, nonspecific terms, it describes the job's diverse responsibilities: "If I were president, the people would be my boss, and I'd have to find out what they wanted." Although serious aspects of the job such as being commander-in-chief of the armed forces and creating laws with Congress are mentioned, Stier gives the most attention to lighter duties--tossing out the first pitch of the baseball season and lighting the nation's Christmas tree. DiSalvo-Ryan's illustrations complement the text nicely, depicting children of different races and genders as "presidents" carrying on the various duties of the office and enjoying such unusual perks as having a personal chef and a movie theater right at home. This is a rosy picture of a very stressful job, but youngsters will pick up some good general information, which teachers can use as a starting point in class and expand upon according to the age and ability of their students. Lauren Peterson

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (September 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807535419
• ISBN-13: 978-0807535417
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,104,525 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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 frequent 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 for more information, activities and free curriculum guides.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally an age appropriate book about Presidents!, February 22, 2002

By 

Cindy Thomson "Author and Family Historian" (OH, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: If I Were President (Hardcover)

I am a Kindergarten teacher and I really appreciate having books to use that give accurate information on topics I teach. This book does a super job describing the responsibilites of Presidents. We are even told that not everyone will agree with the decisions that the President makes and that the President will not always agree with congress (veto). The kids loved the part where the President's dog is in the newspaper because she had puppies. The use of children in the illustrations was appealing to my students. Preschool, Kindergarten, First Grade teachers should get this book!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Age appropriate, thorough book about the President, April 3, 2009

By 

E. Gorden (IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: If I Were President (Paperback)

This book is written from a child's prespective.... if I were the President I would... It goes through the main duties of a president in an interesting, clear way accomapnied with nice illustrations. I loved that it explained in simple terms that the President does what he things is best (with help of cabinet..), but not everyone agrees. What a great first introduction for 4-8 year olds!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellen for kindergarten, August 7, 2008

By 

Pamela Erickson "Pam Erickson" (Belleville IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: If I Were President (Paperback)

This is a great book for kindergarteners: good pictures, text that is completely on their level, not too long. The information is appropriate and makes the office of president something they will understand better.