Based on the 2001 Caldecott Medal winner written by Judith St. George and illustrated by David Small, the animated So You Want to Be President?, narrated by Stockard Channing, surveys the public and private lives of the 42 American presidents. Viewers will be interested to learn about presidential perks: the White House, for instance, comes equipped with an indoor pool, private bowling alley, and movie theater (and as George Bush the First made clear, you don't have to eat broccoli). Although beautifully illustrated, with additional drawings created especially for the video, there are a few minor detail problems in the pictures: John Quincy Adams is playing the flute backwards, Andrew Johnson is wearing knee breeches that were out of style fifty years before his presidency, and JFK is shown with a peace sign that didn't exist in his lifetime. Some facts from the book were deleted (for example, the one about Ulysses S. Grant getting arrested for racing through the streets of Washington), but the program does include a video epilogue written concerning the 2000 election (which doesn't, unfortunately, tie into a key previous point: “having a president in your family tree is a plus” for becoming a chief executive). Overall, this is an enjoyable educational program, suitable for school and public libraries. Recommended. Aud: I, J, P. (R. Reagan)
So You Want to Be President?
(2002) 27 min. $60 (study guide included). Weston Woods Studios. PPR. Color cover. Closed captioned. ISBN: 0-78820-977-9. Volume 17, Issue 5
So You Want to Be President?
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