President Adams’ Alligator
Peter W. Barnes, Author
Cheryl Shaw Barnes, Illustrator
Little Patriot Press, Historical Fiction, Feb. 4, 2013
Suitable for Ages: 6 and Up
Themes: Animals, Pets, Presidents, White House
Opening: “What is your favorite pet?” Mrs. Tucker asked her class. All the children answered at once: ‘My mouse…kitty…big snake…guinea pig…pony…dog’.” Billy drew a picture of his favorite pet, an alligator, and the class laughed. Mrs. Tucker explained to the class that our presidents had some very unusual pets, even an alligator.
Synopsis: Today is President’s Day, so I thought I would share a new book about the menagerie of pets owned by past and current presidents and their families. Until the 20th century, all the presidents had stables with horses and ponies. George Washington had hunting dogs and horses. He wanted to make sure they had strong teeth, so he had their teeth brushed regularly. Thomas Jefferson had two grizzly bears and a mockingbird, who loved to sit on his shoulder and sing along while the president played the violin. William Henry Harrison had his cow, Sukey, with him. And, John Quincy Adams was given an alligator. President Adams didn’t know what to do with the alligator, so he put him in a bathtub in the East Room. Many of the presidents received gifts from kings from other countries. Martin Van Buren received two tiger cubs and James Buchanan was given a whole herd of elephants, which went to a zoo. President Lincoln had ponies, rabbits, goats and a turkey named Jack. Jack was supposed to be Christmas dinner, but his son Tad begged his Dad to let him live. Woodrow Wilson had sheep. But dogs have always been popular pets with presidential families, including the Bush family’s Springer spaniels, and the Obama’s famous Portuguese Water Dog, Bo.
Why I like this book: Kids love animals and will delight in learning about all the funny stories about White House pets. Peter W. Barnes and Cheryl Shaw Barnes, teamed up to write this historical and entertaining book for children. In February 2002, Cheryl Barnes received a phone call from First Lady Laura Bush’s office and was asked to illustrate the 2002 Holiday Program, “All Creatures Great and Small.” She and her husband have now taken all their research and written this delightful book for children. They have written many books featuring animal characters that teach children about history and government, including the House Mouse and Senate Mouse.
Resources: The book includes back pages of activities, resources for parents and teachers, a pet matching game and a Presidential Pets Fact or Fiction page.
This book has been provided to me free of charge by the publisher in exchange for an honest review of the work.
How fascinating, Pat! What wonderful house warming gifts. An alligator? At least they have room for them. Great post!
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Thanks Catherine. I thought it was a fun and educational book for kids.
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How great! It is so important for children to grow up with pets for so many reasons. Wonderful idea.
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Niamh, a very different offering today on President’s Day. Kids love pets of all kinds, and this story is a fun discussion book.
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This is a very different offering! A book like this could actually make President’s day fun! Makes them look more real. I think I’ll have to find this book! Thanks for sharing! And a happy President’s Day to you!
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It is a fun book with a lot of creative activities in the back. The book was just released in hardback. Happy President’s Day to you!
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Cute idea for a book. Maybe it would even create interest in the famous pet-owners, lol.
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Thanks Michelle. You may be right! Kids will have fun with the famous pets.
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Love the idea behind this picture book. Whoda thunk a president of the USA would own an alligator!! This book has great kid appeal!! Now pinned on my Pinterest Book Review board.
Books for Kids – Manuscript Critiques
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Margot, I love you comments! This does have great appeal for kids.
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Sounds such fun and educational at the same time. I only discovered an hour ago that it was President’s day when I went to two closed libraries.
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I am amused. Of course that would be new to you! This is a fun book for kids who love animals and history.
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Looks cute and fun. I like the extra resources it has to offer as well.
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Leig, the activities are great because they reinforce facts what kids have just learned. Fun book.
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I agree, great kid appeal! These are the kind of fun facts that will stay with a young reader. 🙂
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Coleen, the are a lot of interesting and facts that kids will enjoy memorizing. It does have great kid appeal.
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I think I would LOVE this book! I like to learn about the presidents, but I never heard of anything like this book! To the library!
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Erik, I think you’d like the trivia facts. I had fun reading it.
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Hi Patricia,
I am thrilled that you reviewed our book…Thank you….thank you… for the favorable comments….OK rave reviews! Since I am a pet lover….we presently share our home with 5 kitties (all rescue….they own us!) I loved doing the research and sharing the info through my illustrations and my husband’s Peter’s writing. Trying to teach kids American history and civics in a FUN and fanciful way is what gets us up in the morning!
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Cheryl,
Thank you for leaving a comment. I can tell a lot of research went into this book. Children will love all of the little details you uncovered about the White House pets. I love your passion for helping kids understand American history and how the government functions — that makes it all the more meaningful. I wish you and your husband many more successful books. There are so many stories to tell.
Patricia
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Cute book! I reviewed it at my blog too. Have you seen the Woodrow Mouse tales by the same authors? The Barnes are creating some fun educational books.
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Allison, No, I haven’t seen the Senate and House Mouse stories. I really think kids who like to memorize details, will eat up this information. Great book!
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