Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 02/15/2020 *Starred Review* Who will be the next president? As political analysts debate contenders, the odds are that at least 10 of our future presidents are alive today. And three are probably kids right now! While most children’s books about presidents are a rundown of isolated facts, this clever informational picture book makes connections among presidents and their successors who were alive at the same time in 1789, 1841, 1897, and 1961. For instance, when John F. Kennedy was elected in 1961, the next 10 presidents were also alive. Realistic, digitally enhanced illustrations and short text boxes with plenty of surprises reveal that Gerald Ford was serving in Congress; Ronald Reagan was working as a TV host; Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump were all teenagers attending school; and Barack Obama was newly born. Between each section is additional lesser-known but engaging presidential trivia, from Abraham Lincoln’s Mississippi riverboat stint to Calvin Coolidge’s pet pygmy hippo. In the end, Messner returns to readers with a hopeful vision, underscoring that while historically presidents have been wealthy, white, Protestant men, anyone from a variety of backgrounds—including YOU—might be the next president. Rex’s final illustration, featuring individuals of different ages, races, religions, and sexual orientations, emphasizes the point. An ingenious exploration of presidents that will encourage children to consider their own futures. - Copyright 2020 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 03/01/2020 Gr 2–5—Messner leads a delightful march through our nation's presidents, focusing on where they were and what they were doing at various points in history. She emphasizes that there are "presidents of tomorrow" already living among us today. The time line begins with George Washington and describes what the nine presidents who were alive during his tenure were doing. The text discusses the list of leaders and their early lives through the presidency of John F. Kennedy, including the information that presidents 42–45 were still children. The book ends with a call to future generations. Messner's writing maintains a buoyant tone throughout the narrative. Most of her factoids are interesting, though they become dry by the time readers get to later presidents. Messner seems to show a bit of bias in her inclusion of a negatively toned fact about Donald Trump, combined with prominent inclusions of Hillary Clinton. Most other facts are lighthearted. With the exception of Clinton, the book does not feature any other presidential nominee who lost. However, this does not detract from the overall quality of the text or Rex's beautiful illustrations. VERDICT A vivacious exploration of the early lives of the leaders of the free world; an excellent nonfiction addition that will engage young history buffs.—Brittany McMahon, Westernport Elementary School, MD - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.