Fact Friday: The Next President: the unexpected beginnings and unwritten future of America's presidents by Kate Messner

Image: Chronicle Books LLC

The Next President: the unexpected beginnings and unwritten future of America's presidents by Kate Messner. Illustrated by Adam Rex.  42 p. Chronicle Books LLC, March, 2020. 9781452174884. (Review of finished copy borrowed from public library.)

Fact Friday features The Next President: the unexpected beginnings and unwritten future of America's presidents by Kate Messner. This unique picture book collective biography is illustrated by Adam Rex. It approaches the presidents by alighting on four different years and highlighting who the future presidents were and what they were doing at that time. For example, "1841. When William Henry Harrison became President 9, there were fourteen future presidents alive. Most of them were already active in politics somehow." Mr. Rex's vibrant illustrations form a timeline from George Washington through John F. Kennedy, who was president #35 and in 1961, ten presidents were waiting in the wings, the youngest being newborn, Barack Obama. The approach is engaging and requires a bit more attention. 

The dynamic illustrations are compelling. They too require some attention. Even though the majority of U.S. presidents were rich, white, Protestant men, Adam Rex still incorporated diversity in the illustrations that bookend the presidents. A swirling golden line that connects the eras and ends with an illustration of children "listening, learning and getting ready to read." Back matter includes more presidential trivia and facts along with suggestions for further reading and bibliography. 

I've read through The Next President several times now and each time, I find something that I missed earlier and each time, my appreciation for this book grows.