Book Descriptions
for Our White House by Mary Brigid Barrett and National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
This hefty tome is a treasure trove of tidbits and perspectives on the goings-on at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Spanning more than two hundred years of history, the volume is a collection of reflections about the White House from 108 authors and illustrators. An introduction by historian David McCullough explores the idea that the President’s residence is also the home of the citizens—“It is our White House, after all. It is our story, after all.” These sentiments are echoed by the text and images that follow. A variety showcase, the offerings span multiple genres and include essays, poetry, documents, dialogue, artwork, and articles of imagination all designed to inform and inspire. The real gem in this collection is the variation of opinions presented on certain topics—for example, the differing views on how the portrait of George Washington was saved when the White House was torched by the British in 1814. Whether sampled like a smorgasbord or read section by section, this is a flavorful selection. (Age 9 and older)
CCBC Choices 2009. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2009. Used with permission.
From the Publisher
Conceived and co-created by the National Children's Book and Literary Alliance, this collection of essays, personal accounts, historical fiction, poetry, and original art from more than 100 leading authors and illustrators offers a multifaceted look at America's history through the prism of the White House. It includes an Introduction by bestselling historian David McCullough ("John Adams").
Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.