The Next President: The Unexpected Beginnings and Unwritten Future of America's Presidents by Kate Messner and Adam Rex - ESSENTIAL

The Next President: The Unexpected Beginnings and Unwritten Future of America's Presidents by Kate Messner and Adam Rex, PICTURE BOOK, NON-FICTION Chronicle Books, 2020. $19. 9781452174884 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE.  EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

There's only one President of the United States at a time, but how many future presidents are there? Starting with President Washington in 1789, Messner and Rex tell briefly about each of the future presidents alive at that time. Some worked alongside Washington putting together our new country, others were in school, and some were children. By 1841, when William Henry Harrison was inaugurated, there were 14 future presidents alive; in 1897, 9, and 1961 there were 10. It's 2020, who are the next 10? How many of them are children? 

I loved the concept of The Next President. Adam Rex's illustrations were great - loved seeing the presidents young. There were a few sections called "snapshots" which talked about presidential pets, Teddy Roosevelts adventures, and other "expanded trivia." Includes information on the requirements of becoming president, suggestions for further reading and an extensive bibliography.

Lisa Librarian