Celebrate Presidents’ Day with 5 Great Picture Books

George Washington Allen is a little boy with a big sense of curiosity. When he wants to know something, he won’t let up until he finds out—and today, he wants to know his colonial-era namesake ate for breakfast! Fritz’s years experience with writing kid-friendly historical nonfiction combine perfectly with dePaola’s timeless art to make this book a real delight.

How do you explain abolition and the Civil War to a preschooler? Pingry’s prose makes it simpler than you might think. This enjoyable introduction to our sixteenth president is as fun to look at as it is to read, with series artist Britt’s simple yet gorgeous painted illustrations.

While you’re at it, why not teach a little about the reasons we even celebrate Presidents’ Day? Told in the fictional classroom of Mrs. Madoff (presumably no relation), kids learn about several different presidents at once, as well as the history of the holiday, by putting on a play. We take no responsibility for any wardrobe raids by amateur costume designers after reading this book!

One the most infamous (and hilarious) presidential anecdotes of all time is still the tale of Howard Taft becoming ensnared by his own bathtub. Though the story is uncorroborated to this day, Barnett and Van Dusen milk the joke for all it’s worth, weaving an elaborate tale of hapless cabinet members and one frustrated Prez.

Teach your littlest ones about America’s presidential history with this illustrated board book highlighting 10 notable presidents and their achievements including Ulysses S. Grant, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and more.