Madam President

by Lane Smith
Hyperion
40 pages
Reviewed by Heather F.

When I saw that Lane Smith had a new picture book all about a precocious little girl who imagines what her day would be like if she was the President of the United States of America, I just new I had to get it for my own precocious and imaginative little girl. Lane Smith is the illustrator of such wonderful children’s books as James and the Giant Peach, The Stinky Cheese Man, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, Cowboy & Octopus and author of The Big Pets, Pinocchio the Boy, and The Happy Hocky Family. With such classics under his sleeve, I just knew Madam President was sure to please.

And please it did. Katy, or Madam President, imagines a day where there are executive orders to pass, a few babies to kiss, yucky tuna salad to VETO!, treaties to negotiate, and choosing that all important cabinet. Plus, there is all that security on hand to keep a careful eye on her very important person. Smith’s dry wit and gorgeous and comical illustrations make this timely book positively a joy to read and a great way to begin teaching kids who the President is and his (or her) responsibilities.

You can find more about Lane at his website.