Review Detail

It’s been about a month since the US Presidential Election, and Scholastic’s newest release will help you learn everything you need to know about the US Presidents in “Scholastic Book of Presidents” by George Sullivan.

This is not just a who’s who of presidents, either. Sullivan’s book opens with some facts about electing the president.

For example, did you know that every four years, on January 20th, a new or reelected president of the United States is sworn into office? The inauguration ceremony is the result of a process that starts sometimes years before when this newly elected president declares themselves as a candidate for the race.

Who can become president and how a candidate is nominated is described in clear detail. Things that are also explained include:
• primaries,
• caucuses,
• Super Tuesday,
• coventions,
• the campaign,
• social media,
• election day, and the
• electoral vote

My favorite section of the book is the Cliffhangers – who won in a really close race – and the explanation between the popular vote and the electoral vote, and why sometimes it’s the “losing” candidate who really wins.

There is so much more to this book than a list of presidents, and the years they served. Each page of presidential facts and tidbits is also followed by a timeline of important events that happened during their time in office.

Did you know Benjamin Harrison was president when electric lighting was first installed in the White House? You’ll have to read the book to find out what he NEVER did once it was put in and what he was afraid of.

Photographs and paintings are used generously throughout the book making it a jam-packed treasure trove of information about our US Presidents.