Celebrate The President is Missing with 5 Presidential Picture Book Picks

With the recent release of Bill Clinton and James Patterson’s new thriller The President is Missing (and with midterms!) politics seem to be on everyone’s minds. There are so many great presidents who helped shape this country, all the way from George Washington to Abraham Lincoln to Barack Obama, and this is a great time to pick up a book and read all about them. Don’t worry, there won’t be a quiz!

When Penny Met POTUS, by Rachel Ruiz and Melissa A. Manwill 
How cool would it be if your mother worked at the White House? A lucky girl named Penny gets to visit her mother at work “at a big white house” and meet her boss, the mysterious POTUS. Who is this POTUS, Penny wonders? She’s a little disappointed to discover that POTUS isn’t a monster but is actually human after all. But the fact that the president is a woman in this book is something special as well.

I am Abraham Lincoln, by Brad Meltzer and Christopher Eliopoulos 
This book is a great introduction to one of the greatest presidents to ever sit in the White House! I am Abraham Lincoln is part of a series of books that Brad Meltzer wrote on some of history’s great heroes. Perfect for young curious readers, this book starts when Abraham Lincoln was a young boy reading a book when all of his friends are out working on the farm and ends with him changing history. He encourages everyone to “speak your mind—and speak for others—there’s no more powerful way to be heard.” You’ll close the book feeling inspired!

Presidents of the United States of America, by Flying Frog
A comprehensive tome that is perfect for trivia nerds, this book gives you a lot of information in a fun way. Lots of illustrations and photographs help keep the book fast and entertaining. And by the end you will probably want to move into the White House yourself once you learn that it has its own movie theater, swimming pool, and even a bowling alley!

The Complete Guide to US Presidents, by Jodie Parachini
The title says it all for this book! Everything you ever wanted to know about the US Presidents (and then some!) can be found within its pages. Did you know that Grover Cleveland was the only president to be married at the White House? Or do which president had two first ladies? There is a gallery of first ladies at the end of the book so you can learn a bit about the women as well! (Who knew Dolly Madison wore a parrot on her shoulder to impress company?!)

Who is Barack Obama?, by Roberta Edwards, Nancy Harrison, and John O’Brien 
This book takes a deeper dive into the life and work of our last president, Barack Obama! Learn all about the 44th President of the United States, and our first African American president, as he goes from Hawai’i to New York to Chicago, and ultimately lands at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. For even younger readers, Barack, by Jonah Winter, is another good selection.