If I Were President

If I Were President 

by Catherine Stier , DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan (Illustrator)

Whitman, Albert & Company, 1999

Summary:  This book explains all the duties, responsibilities, and privileges of being the President of the United States of America by having children imagine themselves in the role.  From meeting foreign dignitaries and creating laws to commanding the army and using the White House movie theater room, the job of president is painted as one of responsibility, leadership, and fun. 

Lesson: I read this the week of President's Day, which happened to be two weeks after Career Week.  Since we had already discussed careers and their unique responsibilities, this was an extension of that conversation.  Also, since we live an hour from a President's birthplace, we talked about how someone "local" could grow up to be President. 

Level:  1st-3rd

That's Good! That's Bad! in Washington, DC

That's Good! That's Bad! in Washington, DC

by Margery Cuyler , Michael Garland (Illustrator)

Henry Holt and Co., 2007

Summary:  As a little boy tours Washington, DC, he encounters hilarious incidents that are both good and bad along the way.  From the Smithsonian National Zoo to the Lincoln Memorial, it is a fast and hilarious romp. 

Lesson:  This entire series by Margery Cuyler is good for predicting what will happen next.  I picked the one about Washington, DC, because it was Constitution week, so we could talk about the nation's capital afterwards.  For a science/geography lesson, the book about the Grand Canyon would be an equally good choice. 

Level:  1st-3rd