President Squid

by Aaron Reynolds, Sara Varon (Illustrator)

Overview

Join Aaron Reynolds and Sara Varon as they explore the ideal qualities of leaders, diplomats...and giant squid. Squid knows all about being president. It means living in a big house, doing all the talking—oh, and having a tie is crucial. He's all set! In the next election, make a more informed choice. Vote for President Squid!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781452143811
Publisher:	Chronicle Books LLC
Publication date:	03/01/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	44
File size:	8 MB
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Aaron Reynolds is a Caldecott honoree and the New York Times bestselling author of many books for children, including Here Comes Destructosaurus! and Carnivores. He has never been a sardine or a giant squid, but he's pretty sure neither would make a good president. He lives in Chicago.
Sara Varon is a printmaker, graphic novelist, and children's book author-illustrator living in Brooklyn. A recipient of the Sendak Fellowship and an Eisner Award nominee, she currently teaches printmaking at the School of Visual Arts in New York.

Editorial Reviews

12/14/2015
Reynolds’s (Nerdy Birdy) antic extravaganza stars a power-hungry, bubblegum-pink squid that Varon (Odd Duck) gives peg teeth and an Uncle Sam hat: “I will be the greatest president who ever lived!” Some of the reasons he wants to run: presidents wear ties, do “all the talking,” and get to be the boss. “Hey, Shark!” he commands experimentally. “Brush your teeth! Hey, Jellyfish! Comb your tentacles! You look terrible!” But when he tries to ask a sardine for its vote, the sardine can’t respond; it’s stuck in a clam. The squid, sweating a bit, releases the sardine. “You did it, sir! You helped me!” the freed fish gushes. “Helping people... that’s very presidential!” There’s no redemption here: “Being president is exhausting,” the squid sputters. “I want to be... King Squid!” Varon’s drawings are under graceful control, their comic energy harnessed to keep the action clear. The undersea setting contributes laughs of its own—and savvy readers will not miss the startling similarity between the megalomaniacal squid and a certain presidential candidate. Ages 5–8. Author’s agent: Paul Rodeen, Rodeen Literary Management. Illustrator’s agent: Tanya McKinnon, McKinnon McIntyre. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

"A fun read for everyone in the family!"—Champagne News Gazette"

This hilarious satire won't be lost on older readers, nor the silliness on younger ones."—Shelf Awareness"

Preschoolers might seem young for political satire, but they'll giggle knowingly at the prideful antics of this neon-pink squid who fancies himself a leader worthy of joining Mt. Rushmore."—Common Sense Media"

Political satire at its most playful."—Kirkus Reviews"

Makes fun of those seeking to be president in a kid-friendly manner."—Kid Lit Reviews"

Kids will enjoy Squid's antics."—Booking Mana"

An antic extravaganza. savvy readers will not miss the startling similarity between the megalomaniacal squid and a certain presidential candidate."-Publishers Weekly"

A satirical take on real-life candidates with little political experience."-Booklist"

A quirky primer on presidential politics."—San Francisco Chronicle"

A high-energy, undersea look into the mind of a squid who thinks he should be president."—Books4YourKids"

A great discussion starter about leadership and politics."-School Library Journal"

A funny way of learning about what makes a good president."—This Kid Reviews Books"

A fun, uplifting satire."—Books and Whatnot

From the Publisher

Who is to say that a giant squid would not make a great president? The premise of this book involves a giant pink squid trying his hardest to convince readers why he is the best option for president. Some of his top reasons for wanting to be president include: wearing ties, living in the “biggest house ever,” being famous, and doing “all the talking.” After a sardine and clam help the squid realize that being president is hard work, he sets his sights on being a king instead, which he thinks would be less work. While it is easy to see through the squid’s obvious ideological flaws, this picture book is a fun satire on a presidential candidacy. The politically slanted humor is injected with puns and loud exclamatory statements that bring the giant squid’s personality to life. However, while the brightly-colored illustrations and jabs at presidential elections are fun the first time through, the story is not particularly memorable or rewarding. The squid is an unlikeable character that does not redeem himself by the end of the story. An example of an enjoyable story that does a better job of featuring a character trying to convince the reader to help them is Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. Surely, the book is great for Election Day displays and politically-minded parents, but it will not be a must-read for most children. Reviewer: Brandon West; Ages 4 to 8.

Children's Literature - Brandon West

03/01/2016
K-Gr 3—Squid realizes something very important—no giant squid has ever been president. He decides he will be the first one. After all, he has the right qualities for the office. Presidents wear ties, and he looks fabulous in a tie. Presidents have enormous houses, and his is "absolutely TITANIC!" He's also famous, is great at doing all the talking, and is big and bossy. But when he takes his presidency a bit too seriously, it is a little guy who shows him what being presidential is all about. This witty tale of an ego-driven squid who thinks the presidency is all about being the boss is pure satire, ripe for an election year. Varon's mixed-media cartoon art provides a colorful underwater locale complete with its own Mount Rushmore, sunken cruise ship, and array of quirky sea creatures. Large, bold typeface provides early readers opportunities to engage with the text, and the book would make an enjoyable read-aloud. VERDICT An amusing addition to most collections and a great discussion starter about leadership and politics.—Carol Connor, Cincinnati Public Schools, OH

School Library Journal

2015-12-22
An addlepated, snaggle-toothed, hot-pink giant squid decides to run for president. Sounds like a plan. "I WILL BE THE GREATEST PRESIDENT WHO EVER LIVED! Wanna know why? Here are five important reasons." Here Reynolds puts the narrative on comic cruise control, each sentence a finely tuned inanity, and Varon complements the verbiage with deadpan comical artwork. Those reasons? Well, the president wears a tie. "I look fabulous in a tie." He's also got a big house, he's famous, and he "does all the talking." Plus, a president is the big boss. "Hey, Jellyfish! Comb your tentacles! You look terrible! See? Very bossy." Enter a sardine and a clam, the sardine half-stuck in—or perhaps being eaten by—the clam. Hoping to free the sardine, the squid shows the clam his tie, explains about the size of his house, calls attention to his fame. The clam is unimpressed. Then the giant squid takes on the clam to free the sardine. He nearly has a myocardial infarction, but he frees the sardine. The squid's a hero, but he's exhausted. Being president is hard work. Better, he suggests, to be king. "All the power! None of the work!" This is political satire at its most playful, not so much derisive or mocking as a little poke in the eye. He may bloviate, but this squid is an OK guy. In the tradition of great windbags, meet President—err, King Squid. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews