Becky Amsel, Senior Publicist from Trade Publicity, has an exciting Presidents’ Day treat for OOM Readers! 

Monday we celebrate Presidents’ Day, a day to honor and to commemorate our past presidents of the United States. For younger readers—and history buffs of all ages!—Scholastic has some wonderful picture books celebrating our nation’s leaders.

From George Washington to Barack Obama, each of our presidents has had a unique vision of America. In America The Beautiful (January 2013), these ideas and the words of Katherine Lee Bates are translated into gorgeous by such distinguished artists as Bryan Collier, Jon J Muth, Diane Goode, Mary GrandPré, Raul Colon, Sonia Lynn Sadler, Yuyi Morales, John Hendrix, LeUyen Pham, and Chris Soentpiet. (Wow!) Each of these talented illustrators has found a unique way to interpret the values and beliefs that have built our great country. America The Beautiful integrates the lyrics of the familiar patriotic tune with inspiring presidential quotations and will help teach children about our country’s great leaders while highlighting American values such as diversity, unity, and freedom. Publishers Weekly called it, “A visually rich and much-needed reminder of America’s collective resilience.”

Then there’s Our Abe Lincoln by Jim Aylesworth and illustrated by Barbara McClintock, a perfect book for Lincoln’s birthday that tells the story of Lincoln for a young audience. Award-winning artist Barbara McClintock’s charming 19th century-styled drawings depict children in a school play, acting out Lincoln’s life to Jim Aylesworth’s ear for rhythms and rhymes. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly said, “Proving once again that they are a match made in picture-book heaven, Aylesworth and McClintock…turn out a biography of Lincoln virtually guaranteed to hook readers.”

It’s true that Lincoln is one of the most recognizable people, let alone presidents, in the history of the United States. Perhaps it’s because his face can be seen everywhere from the $5 bill in your wallet and the penny in your pocket to national monuments across the country. Or maybe it’s simply because of his signature beard. Could you ever picture Lincoln without it? I bet you would never guess that there is one little girl in particular to thank for Lincoln’s beard! Lincoln and Grace: Why Abraham Lincoln Grew a Beard (January 2013) by Steve Metzger, illustrated by Ann Kronheimer is the heartwarming story of Grace Bedell—the eleven-year-old who got a President to listen to her advice. In addition to learning the fascinating true story behind Lincoln’s beard, it shows that one voice—even one as small as their own—can matter.

Two American heroes, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, are brilliantly portrayed in Those Rebels, John and Tom (January 2012) by Barbara Kerley, illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham, the award-winning creators of The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy)! Those Rebels, John and Tom combines wit, impeccable research, and inventive presentation style—masterfully blend biography and history to create a fantastic portrait of two American heroes who bravely set aside their differences to join forces in the fight for our country’s freedom. The New York Times Book Review called it “[A] rousing account of the friendship before the feud.” 

We love these presidential books so much, we’re giving them away!

GIVEAWAY:  To celebrate Presidents’ Day, we’re giving readers the chance to win copies of  Those Rebels, John & Tom and Dear America. To enter, let us know which presidential picture book you’re most excited to read by posting in the comments below (please include your email address) by 5:00 PM (ET) on Tuesday, February 19th, 2013. You’ll be entered for a chance to win these great prizes. Read the official rules here. (Giveaway open to U.S. residents only; must be 18 or older to enter.)

Good luck! We’ll be reading these wonderful books all year long. What are some of your favorite books about our nation’s presidents?