If I Ran for President

Author: Catherine Stier

Illustrator: Lynne Avril

Awards and Honors

• Catherine Stier received an invitation to the Mount Rushmore bookstore for a book signing event for If I Ran for President and If I Were President.
• Chosen as a Scholastic Lucky Book Club selection.

Imagine starring in commercials and traveling in your own campaign bus! Or seeing your face on bumper stickers and T-shirts!

If you ran for president, you would get to do these and other fun things, but you would also have to do a lot of hard work. You would study the nation’s problems, tell the American people about your platform, select a running mate, and debate your opponents on live television. Finally, in November, Election Day would arrive. You would keep your fingers crossed and wait for the results—will you be the next president of the United States?

A multicultural cast of children imagines what it would be like to run for president. The entertaining yet informative text is a good conversation starter for discussions on the election process. A note about this process accompanies the story. The author, Catherine Stier, is no stranger to politics—her previous book, If I Were President, looked at the various responsibilities of the president. Lynne Avril’s cheerful illustrations perfectly complement the lively text.

For journal reviews, please visit the Albert Whitman & Company website at www.albertwhitman.com.

If I Were President

Author: Catherine Stier

Illustrator: DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan

Awards and Honors

• Society of School Librarians International Honor Book, Social Studies
• IRA Los Angeles’ 100 Best Books
• Featured in Woman’s Day Kids’ Day Section “Great American Reads”
• Featured for Presidents’ Day on WGN-TV Bozo Show
• Chosen for Chicago Public Schools 2005 Literacy Enrichment Program, with 3500 books distributed to 127 schools
• Has been featured at the gift/museum shops of the White House Historical Association, the Mount Rushmore History Association and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History

Imagine living in the White House, a mansion where you wouldn’t have to leave home to go bowling or see a movie! Imagine a chef to cook anything you like. “Two desserts tonight, Madam President. No problem!”

If you were president, you would work in the Oval Office, get help making decisions from people in your cabinet, and be in charge of the armed forces. The Secret Service would follow you everywhere, and Air Force One would carry you on trips, sometimes to other nations.

A multicultural cast of children imagines what it would be like to be president. Readers will be so caught up in the fun they won’t realize that the book is also an ingenious teaching device and discussion starter. A note about the presidency accompanies the story.

For journal reviews, please visit the Albert Whitman & Company website at www.albertwhitman.com.

Bugs in My Hair?!

Author: Catherine Stier

Illustrator: Tammie Lyon

When Alex spills milk on his football jersey and Morgan’s braid unravels, they both say, “These things happen.” But Ellie LaFleur, who is practically perfect, sniffs, “Not to me.” And it’s true. Ellie’s nails are always filed, her clothes are snazzy, and her long locks are lovely. So when Ellie’s head begins to itch, she’s sure it’s an allergy.

“BUGS IN MY HAIR?!” blurts Ellie when her mother and the school nurse give her the bad news: Ellie has head lice. “These things happen,” says Ellie’s mother. At home, Ellie and her mother talk to the doctor and read the papers from the school nurse. Then they shampoo, comb, and do laundry. Ellie even writes a note for kids who get head lice—“These things happen,” it says.

The author includes a note for concerned parents. Catherine Stier’s light look at this all-too-common problem is sure to strike the right note with stressed-out kids and families. Tammie Lyon’s humorous paintings complete this reassuring tale.

For journal reviews, please visit the Albert Whitman & Company website at www.albertwhitman.com.