RUTHERFORD B., WHO WAS HE?: POEMS ABOUT OUR PRESIDENTS

RUTHERFORD B., WHO WAS HE?: POEMS ABOUT OUR PRESIDENTS

by Marilyn Singer

Illustrated by John Hendrix

Image credit: books.disney.com

Bibliography
Singer, Marilyn. 2013. Rutherford B., Who Was He?: Poems About Our Presidents. New York: Disney Hyperion Books. ISBN 9781423171003

Critical Analysis and Review
In Marilyn Singer's collection of political poetry, she writes one poem for each of the forty four United States Presidents.  Using clever wordplay and rhyming free verse, Singer's poems contain facts and highlights of each presidency.  In the opening poem, Singer casually asks, "Who were these presidents?/ Who were these guys?"  Then, the presidential poems follow beginning with "George Washington" and ending with "Barack Obama."  Curious young readers would be intrigued by the bits of information from these poems.  They might be compelled to do further reading about these famous figures.

John Hendrix's cartoonish illustrations leap off the page showing each president's personality and memorable characteristics.  From Andrew Johnson's portrait with the large, red word "IMPEACHED" emblazoned across it to the portly President Taft in the bath, these drawings are entertaining.  A highlight is the sword-wielding Theodore Roosevelt atop a galloping white horse bursting across the page.  Many of the illustrations include a famous quote from the president such as Truman's memorable words, "If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen."

Following the poetry, this book includes a "Meet the President" page containing general facts about the office and a "Presidential Biographies" section with a brief paragraph explaining the major events that happened during each presidency.  Singer also lists her sources including books and websites she used to complete her research. 

Spotlight Poem

GEORGE WASHINGTON
(Independent, 1789-1707)
by Marilyn Singer

This great hero of the Revolution,
      after so much strife,
yearned to return to Mount Vernon
      and lead a quiet life.
But the citizens insisted
      his service wasn't done.
They begged him to be president--
      said he was the only one
who could fulfill the mission,
who would invent tradition.

He agreed to father a newborn nation--
and never took a real vacation.

I chose this spotlight poem because it is about the nation's first president, one in which most students are already familiar.  This poem sets the tone for the more than forty poems that follow.  With its rhythm and rhyming text, this would be a great poem to read aloud.  

This collection of poetry would be perfect to use as poetry breaks during February when Americans celebrate President's Day.  A social studies teacher could read one or two poems each morning to initiate a brief discussion about what happened in U. S. history during that president's time in office.  Singer sprinkles these poems with vocabulary that would enrich a social studies lesson about the government.  Terms such as "annex," "impeach," and "tariffs," could create productive discussion.

Teachers and librarians can build excitement for this book by showing the awesome book trailer found here.  Students can learn more about author and poet Marilyn Singer here.