Can you believe it's September already!?
Don't think about it as an end to summer, think of it as the restart of Perfect Picture Book Friday reviews!
Title: President Squid
Author: Aaron Reynolds
Illustrator: Sara Varon
Publisher: Chronicle Books, 2016
Intended Ages: 4-8
Themes: Sea creatures, Presidents
Opening Line: "I HAVE REALIZED SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT. Something that changes everything! No giant squid has ever been president before!"
Synopsis: Sea creatures react to Squid's announcement that he has five qualities that make him President.
What I like about this book: This book doesn't answer questions. Instead, it promotes a discussion of what qualities a president should have. With the upcoming election, the timing is perfect! The silly humor engages readers to explore what is otherwise a somewhat dry, complex topic. Adults reading with their children can laugh along at the satire. The New York based cartoonist and illustrator manages to make trousers on a hot pink squid believable! I do wonder why the squid needed to have teeth but I'm fairly certain no child will think twice. Put this one on the shelf beside Reynold's earlier Creepy Carrots.
Resources/Activities:
- Schools often have mock (and real!) classroom elections. For everything you need, with a squid-related theme, download a free activity guide from Chronicle.
- Read this book along with Doreen Cronin's DUCK FOR PRESIDENT, and Nick Bruel's BAD KITTY FOR PRESIDENT.
- Explore the National Education Association's voter education links.
- Talk about what qualities you have that make a good president.
- Talk about why someone wants to become president.
This review is part of PPBF (Perfect Picture Book Friday) where bloggers share great picture books. Organized and curated by author Susanna Leonard Hill, she keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books. #PPBF
Perfect book to help children understand the upcoming presidential elections. Love your suggested activities!
ReplyDeleteThanks Pat! This election should generate a lot of discussions.
DeleteThanks for this post. I will definitely have to use this for a performance activity we have in November!
ReplyDeleteGlad to be helpful!
DeleteI love Aaron Reynolds! And I like that this story doesn't answer questions; that sounds like a perfect way to start a dialogue with kids about what makes a great leader. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt pretends to answer questions! But I'm pretty sure that wearing a tie isn't a real qualification.
DeleteThis is a perfect book for the upcoming elections. Your activities offer children, parents, and teachers perfect jump off places for discussions. My favorite is: Talk about what qualities you have that make a good president.
ReplyDeleteEveryone should aspire to this! We need good presidential material.
DeleteHa! This book I have read,Wendy...and I love it, Wendy! What a great choice for PPBF..with school just underway, I can see this book as a helpful catalyst for lively discussions.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Vivian! Glad you agree. :)
DeleteQuestions are great. Being the first......... presidential candidate is great! Looking at what are presidential characteristics all this is great material for a picture book in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteIt's a wacky one that works really well.
DeleteI would vote for Squid! What a perfect book for the season.
ReplyDeleteGo, Squid! I would work on that campaign. ;)
DeleteI saw Aaron read his book at one of our local indie stores. He is amazing. His theater background shows! Such a fun book.
ReplyDelete