July 1, 2016
Humanizing portraits of the 43 men who have served as president of the United States. Burns stresses that even though all but one president has been both white and male, the diversity of their backgrounds, occupations, experiences, and characters amply proves that anyone (born in the U.S. and 35 or older) can rise to the office--despite even physical disabilities (FDR) or learning differences (Wilson, possibly the second Bush). Each president through Barack Obama gets a double-page spread (Grover Cleveland gets two: thus the title) illustrated with both a small official portrait and a looser, much larger view by Kelley of the incumbent at some pivotal or intimate moment. Other than a few significant omissions (Sally Hemings, most notably) or spins (Ford "never lost the respect of the American people"), the accompanying overviews and selected anecdotes present sunny but not entirely disingenuous views of each office holder. Often some balance is at least attempted even for egregious faults, by acknowledging Jackson's racism but also his adoption of a Creek orphan, for instance, or countering scandal-plagued Harding's habit of giving his "worst friends" government jobs by also mentioning his anti-lynching efforts. Side ribbons with dates, family members and histories, nicknames, and pets serve as continuing reminders that all had personal as well as public lives. A buoyant gallery, up to date, handsomely framed, and, in this particular election year, timely too. (glossary, list of historic sites) (Collective biography. 10-13)
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August 1, 2016
Grades 5-7 In this attractive book, documentary filmmaker Burns spotlights each of the 43 U.S. presidents. After an author's note aimed at parents, the discussion proceeds from Washington to Obama. Each double-page spread introduces one president with several paragraphs on his upbringing, his personal characteristics, and the challenges of his times as well as his presidential accomplishments and/or shortcomings. A vertical banner includes his official portrait and lists about a dozen fast facts, such as date and place of birth, occupations, party affiliation, years in office, wife, children, and pets, while several short sidebars present additional information, anecdotes, and other commentary. Politically balanced and reasonably precise, these accounts are quite readable. However, no sources are listed. Particularly for the later presidents, Burns sometimes includes first-person comments, such as where he was when he learned of Kennedy's assassination. The illustrations, pencil drawings with digital additions reminiscent of watercolors, show each president in action within a period setting and brighten the pages with warm hues and, occasionally, drama or humor. An accessible introduction to the presidents.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)
January 1, 2017
After an introduction, in which Burns suggests that understanding our political past encourages patriotism and compassion, the documentarian brings presidential history to life for middle graders. Each double-page-spread profile includes down-to-earth prose describing events during the president's term; a quick facts chart; sidebars with unique tidbits of information; the official portrait; and a large, loosely rendered illustration. An appealing and useful survey. Glos.
(Copyright 2017 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)