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  • Hardcover: $15.95
  • ISBN: 978-1-56145-538-6
  • Total Pages: 32
  • Size: 10 x 10
  • Language: English
  • Rights: World
  • Status: active

Mr. President Goes to School


When the president of the United States has a frustrating day, he decides to go back to the place where he learned the most important lessons of all.

Everyone has bad days. Even the president.

So when his day starts off badly, Mr. President decides he is in need of a time-out from running the country. Disguising himself, he sneaks out of the White House, hurries down the street to the local school, and enrolls in Mrs. Appletree’s class.

There Mr. President slides his fingers through globs of finger paint. He spins himself silly on the merry-go-round at recess. He practices saying “please,” raising his hand, and taking turns. And he doesn’t miss a single beat when everyone does the hokey-pokey.

But when he returns to the White House, he is greeted by a panicked secretary of state and two angry world leaders on the brink of war. Fortunately, Mr. President recalls what he learned in Mrs. Appletree’s class, and he comes up with just the right approach to avoid an international crisis.

Children will delight in Rick Walton’s laugh-out-loud story and its over-the-top take on conflict resolution. Brad Sneed’s watercolor illustrations capture the humor of the story with their exaggerated, outsized characters and playfully distorted compositions.

Author & Illustrator


Author Photo

Rick Walton is the author of over sixty books for children, including a collection of poetry, joke books, picture books, activity books, mini-mysteries, and educational software. He loves to read, travel, play the guitar, study foreign languages, and write. He lives in Utah.

You can visit Rick Walton’s website here.

Author Photo

Brad Sneed has illustrated almost twenty picture books, some of which he has also written. His titles include The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians, Mr. President Goes to School, and When Wishes Were Horses. He lives in Kansas.

You can visit Brad Sneed’s website here.


Reviews


“The art, which looks a bit like that of Patricia Polacco, scoops all the inherent silliness out of the story but has a tender side too.” ―Booklist

“...an adorable book that readers of all ages will fall in love with.” ―OC Family Magazine

“Sneed's attention to detail makes the book fun to look at over again and again. Overall, a fun introduction to the great things that can be learned in school.” ―School Library Journal

“...a prime example of what great picture books are all about...” ―Picture Book Depot

“...Humorous, exaggerated sketches paint a happy tale that emphasizes the importance of play and silliness, even among important adults. Preschoolers and younger elementary students will enjoy seeing an esteemed man being human and childlike...” ―The Voice-Tribune

“...Kids will get a kick and a chuckle out of this tall tale about the president.” ―Hickory Ridge Reader

“In this hilarious look at problem solving, Mr. President (of the United States) dons a Groucho Marx disguise and sneaks away to a place where life seemed a whole lot simpler...This wise, funny tale, with its warm-toned pictures, deals humorously with school issues such as working through conflict and taking turns. It is sure to spark spirited discussion, laughs and exuberant rounds of hokey pokey in classrooms across the country.” ―Washington Parent

Awards


Children's Choices ―International Reading Association/Children's Book Council 2011

Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award (nominee) ―Washington Library Media Association 2012

Alabama Camellia Awards (nominee, grades K-1) ―Alabama Department of Education 2011-2012

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (starred, primary) ―Kansas National Education Association 2011

Charlotte Award Suggested Reading List (primary) ―New York State Reading Association 2012

Utah Book Award (finalist, children's division) ―Utah Center for the Book 2010