President Squid - Hardcover

Aaron Reynolds is a Caldecott honoree and the New York Times bestselling author of many books for children, including Here Comes Destructosaurus! and Carnivores. He has never been a sardine or a giant squid, but he's pretty sure neither would make a good president. He lives in Chicago.

Sara Varon is a printmaker, graphic novelist, and children's book author-illustrator living in Brooklyn. A recipient of the Sendak Fellowship and an Eisner Award nominee, she currently teaches printmaking at the School of Visual Arts in New York.

K-Gr 3-Squid realizes something very important-no giant squid has ever been president. He decides he will be the first one. After all, he has the right qualities for the office. Presidents wear ties, and he looks fabulous in a tie. Presidents have enormous houses, and his is "absolutely TITANIC!" He's also famous, is great at doing all the talking, and is big and bossy. But when he takes his presidency a bit too seriously, it is a little guy who shows him what being presidential is all about. This witty tale of an ego-driven squid who thinks the presidency is all about being the boss is pure satire, ripe for an election year. Varon's mixed-media cartoon art provides a colorful underwater locale complete with its own Mount Rushmore, sunken cruise ship, and array of quirky sea creatures. Large, bold typeface provides early readers opportunities to engage with the text, and the book would make an enjoyable read-aloud. VERDICT An amusing addition to most collections and a great discussion starter about leadership and politics.-Carol Connor, Cincinnati Public Schools, OHα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.