A Parade for George Washington by David A. Adler illustrated by John O'Brien*

 I do not remember reading or learning about all the parades and celebrations towns gave George Washington as he traveled from Mount Vernon to New York City to take an oath to be the nation's first president. Mr. Adler takes the reader from town to town and describes how each one celebrated him. I liked the inserted maps on the pages that display his route. 

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Who Named Their Pony Macaroni? Poems About White House Pets by Marilyn Singer illustrated by Ryan McAmis

A wide variety of poem types about the different presidents and their pets.
Additional information containing the back story to each of the poems (presidential information and their pet stories) is included in the back.
Very interesting and fun!

Lincoln and His Boys by Rosemary Wells illustrated by P.J. Lynch*

Rosemary Wells shares about Lincoln's life through  his boys' point of view from 1859-1865 (1st person narrative).
Very well researched.
This book, however, made me and my oldest son quite sad as it does have a section about Willie's death and its affects on his parents and brother Tad.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
93 pages long

Abraham Lincoln by Amy L. Cohn and Suzy Schmidt illustrated by David A. Johnson*

First of all, I loved the creativity behind the design of the book-it is tall and narrow-like Abraham Lincoln!! At points the author is talking directly to the reader, like she and the reader are observing Abraham Lincoln when he was alive.  This book covers his life from his birth until his death and also ends with a focus on the Lincoln Memorial.
The illustrations zoom in on his facial expressions.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Take the Lead, George Washington by Judith St. George illustrated by Daniel Powers*

Divided into illustrated chapters, this book focuses on George Washington's childhood through his teens.  The author focuses on his relationships with his father and step-brother Lawrence (who later wills George Washington Mount Vernon!), his love for mathematics, surveying and the horse back riding.  The last chapter details a long surveying trip he experienced as a sixteen year old which fostered respect and confidence in himself (basically turned him into a confident man).
Apparently Ms. George has written a few more picture books about some other presidents and calls them "turning point books".  Other presidents she has written about are: Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Lincoln and Kennedy : A Pair to Compare by Gene Barretta*

An unique book!
Mr. Barretta points out many similarities between the two presidents-from their childhoods through their deaths.
A very organized layout that allows the reader to clearly understand which president is being showcased.

Strategy: compare (venn diagram)

Stink The Incredible Shrinking Kid #1 by Megan McDonald illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds*

Judy Moody's little brother Stink has a series to himself!  My four and half year old and seven year old really enjoyed this book.  We read it over three days.
Stink is afraid he is shrinking (he is very short already!) and is determined that James Madison, his favorite president (who happens to be the shortest president) is recognized on President's Day.
Lots of fun family interaction where the family honors each child's uniqueness.
A great chapter book for transitional readers to build stamina.
Strategy: connections, visualizing

I Am Abraham Lincoln by Brad Meltzer illustrated by Christopher Elipoulos*

"Ordinary People Change the World" series
Mr. Meltzer focuses on a few events in Lincoln's early years that influence his outlook and philosophies as president.
Great overview of Mr. Lincoln's life.  Graphic illustrations will appeal to kids.
Some humor sprinkled throughout the book.
*Highly recommend.

A. Lincoln and Me by Louise Borden illustrated by Ted Lewin*

A boy shares a birthday with Abraham Lincoln and is similar to him in many ways.
An unique way to learn about Abraham Lincoln as the boy shares their similarities.
*Highly recommend.
Strategies: inferring, connections, theme,

Big George How a Shy Boy Became President Washington by Anne Rockwell illustrated by Matt Phelan*

A very thorough, interesting book that focuses on Washington's life with his half brother Lawrence and then his progression in the military to his election of the country's first president.
A longer picture book-great for the intermediate grades.
The illustrations are very pastel/light.
One learns a lot about our country's early beginnings when reading this book.
*Highly recommend.  One I would like to buy.

Meet Abraham Lincoln by Patricia A. Pingry illustrated by Stephanie McFetridge Britt

Adorable illustrations.  Lots of information about Mr. Lincoln's life.  Tells about his assassination but does not show the shooting, just the steam engine carrying him to Springfield, Illinois.

George Washington's Teeth by Deborah Chandra and Madeline Comora illustrated by Brock Cole

This humorous book shares how George Washington struggled from tooth pain throughout his career.  In rhyming text this book is fun to read aloud and share.
Love Mr. Cole's drawing style!
Wonderful addition in the back:  time line with "important events in his life-from his own letters, diaries and accounts".  **Two photos of his actual dentures too!!
*Highly recommend.

Our Abe Lincoln by Jim Aylesworth illustrated by Barbara McClintock*

I love this team!  I love Ms. McClintock's illustration style.
The story is told to the tune of the folk song "The Old Grey Mare".  Abe Lincoln's life is told via children acting it out on stage.  They do share his assassination but only the funeral procession.
Wonderful addition in the back: Each verse in the song is explained with more detail.
*Highly recommend.

President George Washington by Kathy Allen illustrated by Len Ebert*

"Our American Story" series
The cover did not draw me to it but wow, this book does a wonderful job of sharing Washington's life from the time he fought in the Revolutionary War to his retirement.  The last page also talks about the Washington Monument.  It is also wonderful because it shares how our country was started and all the work people dedicated to make sure it was run well.  The U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights are mentioned.
I like it especially because the text was written simply enough that mature preschooler could sit and listen and learn.  Not many books out about the presidents that can accomplish that!
*Highly recommend.
Text structure: timeline, glossary, learn more section
More in this series:  The First American Flag, Paul Revere's Ride, Writing the U.S. Constitution.

Abe Lincoln The Boy Who Loved Books by Kay Winters illustrated by Nancy Carpentar*

Very comprehensive book about Lincoln's life from an early age to being elected as president.  The common theme throughout the book is how he loved books, words and learning.
The illustrations are folk art-like.
*Highly recommend.

Abe Lincoln's Hat by Martha Brenner illustrated by Donald Cook*

"Step into Reading-Step 2  Grades 1-3"
A true story how A. Lincoln stored important papers in his hat.
Real photos of the individuals who are in the story are provided in the back.
*Highly recommend.