Check out some of my favorite picture books for Presidents’ Day! This list is great for all elementary-aged students who are just starting to learn about the US Electoral System!
The many US presidents have helped shape our world as we know it.
As leaders of the free country and the people who have ruled over and helped to protect one of the largest nations in the world. These people are all admirable in their own ways simply for taking on this enormous role in our country.
As you learn about and celebrate United States political system in your classroom, either as part of your historical units or just as a special lead-up to Presidents’ Day, you’ll definitely want to take a closer look at some of these titles. All of the books on this list are picture books about being elected and/or running for office.
As you explore some of my favorite picture books for Presidents’ Day below, be sure to engage students with this FREE graphic organizer!
Favorite Picture Books for Presidents’ Day!
#1 | Grace for President (by Kelly DiPucchio and illustrated by LeUyen Pham)
Determined to be the first woman president by running in her school’s mock election, Grace learns about the challenges of running for office. This book offers an introduction to the American Electoral College and emphasizes the hard work people put in as they run for office.
#2 | When Penny Met POTUS (by Rachel Ruiz and illustrated by Melissa Ann Manwill)
Penny is a young girl whose mother works for POTUS. Penny knows this, but she has no idea who POTUS actually is. One day, while at the ‘office’ with her mother, she let’s her mind run wild as she tries to figure out who (or what) POTUS could possibly be.
#3 | If I Ran for President (by Catherine Stier and illustrated by Lynne Avril)
What does it take to run for president? This is the question a group of children are imagining about in this fun and informative book about elections.
This picture book for Presidents’ Day is perfect for starting a conversation with your students about the electoral process in the United States.
#4 | Looking at Lincoln (written by and illustrated by Maira Kalman)
From the name of his dog to his untimely death, this book about Lincoln is told from the perspective of a young girl who is interested in learning more about the 16th president of the United States.
#5 | Duck for President (by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Betsy Lewin)
Duck is moving up in the ranks. He is going to hold an election, so he can become the farmer. But he’s not happy just being a farmer. He wants to be more. Maybe the governor or maybe the President.
This silly book is about a silly duck whose journey through the different elections teaches both kids and adults about the electoral process.
#6 | The Next President: The Unexpected Beginnings and Unwritten Future of America’s Presidents (by Kate Messner and Adam Rex)
The next 10 presidents of the United States are already playing, living, and working in the US. What are they doing? Who could they be? It is crazy to think that one of our next presidents could be sitting in elementary school right now reading this very book.
Presidents weren’t always grownups. They were once kids and teenagers too. This thought-provoking book takes us into the early lives of America’s Presidents.
#7 | President Taft is Stuck in the Bath (by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen)
You may have heard rumblings about a certain president (President Taft) who may have gotten stuck in a Bathtub. Well, now its time to get the whole story. This book is all about our 27th president’s sticky situation.
#8 | So You Want to be President? (by Judith St. George and illustrated by David Small)
This book talks about the perks and pains of being President in the United States. With each example, the authors also provide a little story about one US President’s specific experience with that part of being president. This book has some fun moments and a lot of details about many different former Presidents of the United States.
#9 | What Presidents are Made of (by Hanoch Piven)
This is a book of creative collages of ‘things’ used to make portraits of 18 former Presidents of the United States.
In addition to the creative collage portraits, readers also learn about the traits needed to be a good president, along with short stories about former presidents that exemplify those traits in action.
As students learn about the United States and the role of the President, these picture books for Presidents’ Day will offer a fun and varied approach to learning about former Presidents of the United States, and also the system and electoral process that got them into that role!
For more picture book suggestions to add to your classroom library, check out these picture books chosen for the holiday season!
