Weird-but-True Facts about U.S. Presidents

April 1, 2013

Gr 2-4-These high-interest titles deliver information on a variety of subjects. Each volume begins with an introduction to the topic and closes with the somewhat redundant assertion that the "weird-but-true" facts "are all true!" The facts themselves are printed in a bold, colorful font with supporting comments following in a smaller, less flashy typeface. Cartoon spot illustrations vary in quality from volume to volume, but are high in child appeal overall. The material covers a wide range of subjects, but the authors appear to have a good grasp on what will attract children, e.g., during his impeachment trial, President Nixon "was accused of illegally raising the price of McDonald's hamburgers." These amusing books will be popular for browsing, but are not informative enough for homework purposes.-Sam Bloom, Blue Ash Library, Cincinnati, OH

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2013
Grades 1-3 Pop-eyed cartoon figures, loud colors, and big, emphatic type crank up the hype for an assortment of quirky presidential abilities, characteristics, pastimes, and firsts. Though some will astonish readers of any ageGarfield, for instance, supposedly could write simultaneously in Latin with one hand and Greek with the othermost are pitched to children young enough to be wowed to learn Jimmy Carter was a peanut farmer; Hayes was the first to have a telephone; and that Washington, Jefferson, and John Adams collected marbles. Some of the claims are questionable (Lincoln was not the first president with facial hair, though he was the first to sport a full beard). There are just three to six entries per spread but enough for budding trivia fans, who'll relish this random-trivia handful and likely look for other volumes of the Weird-But-True series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)