Starred Review for Publishers Weekly

Eight years in the making, this anthology of White House history convenes an all-star roster of 108 children's authors and illustrators, as well as a few scholars and former White House employees and residents—and it is a blue-ribbon choice for family sharing during an election year. Chronologically ordered, the entries range from poems to presidential speeches, satirical cartoons to stately portraits; despite the talents of the literary contributors (Kate DiCamillo offers a poem about Lincoln's death, Patricia MacLachlan describes Eleanor Roosevelt's rescue of a cat belonging to a young girl), perhaps the most striking writings are those that most closely adhere to the historical record. Barbara Kerley details Thomas Jefferson's passion for paleontology, and M.T. Anderson describes White House ghosts (Churchill, visited by a spectral Lincoln, “tapped the ash off the end of his cigar and said, 'Good evening, Mr. President. You seem to have me at a disadvantage' ”). But few of the writers create the same impact as the occasional document: Robert Kennedy addresses the nation after Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated, and Richard Nixon bids farewell to the White House staff. (That young readers will react to these documents is in no small part due to the writers' success in establishing the contexts for them.) Among the most provocative entries are works by artists who “look in” on the White House with a demonstrably personal vision: David Small shares color sketches of “backstairs at the White House,” a study in contrasts; Bob Kolar arranges the presidents as if on a board game, with clever annotations (who knew President Arthur held a yard sale while in office?); Peter Sís supplies 37 characteristically enigmatic portraits to illustrate freedom from fear. Although a few entries seem formulaic, the volume makes the invaluable point that history does not have to be remote or abstract, but a personal and ongoing engagement. Ages 10–up. <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">(Sept.)

School Library Journal Starred Review (Mon Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2008)

Gr 3-8 More than 100 authors and illustrators contributed to this wide-ranging collection of short pieces about the First Family residence. Most participants are creators of books for youth, along with a sprinkling of other figures, such as historian David McCullough, and actual White House occupants. Arranged in general chronological order, the chapters are delightfully varied in form, tone, and subject matter. They include straightforward history, brief essays, personal narratives, and even fantasy, as in Meg Cabot's lighthearted time-travel story. The handsome layout and excellent-quality illustrations provide strong appeal. The pairing of words and art is often inspired, as in Maybelle Mayer's paper doll cutouts from 1938 that accompany Nancy Willard's poem about White House dresses. There are powerful visual moments as well, such as the dazzling series of spreads featuring visual interpretations of Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms," each by a different artist. Many segments convey personal details that humanize the presidential families, such as Virginia Euwer Wolff's introduction to the musical sophistication of the Tafts and Anita Silvey's look at Jackie Kennedy's literary career. Humor plays a role too, as in Steven Kellogg's artistic rendering of an imagined "Best in Show" contest among White House pets. Some readers will progress straight through from Jane Yolen's imagined conversation between John and Abigail Adams to the first National Book Festival in 2001, while others may browse and jump about; either way, this entertaining introduction to the White House is full of fascinating information, challenging ideas, and appealing artwork. Steven Engelfried, Multnomah County Library, OR

ALA Booklist (Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2008)

The White House is the focus of this handsome, large-format compendium of writings, both factual and fictional, and illustrations. The book opens with historian David McCullough's introduction to the anthology and Gregory Maguire's invitation to look into the White House and out from it at the world. Poems and essays, stories and memoirs l combine to create a mosaic of impressions of the house's residents and visitors and of the important events that occurred there. The arrangement of entries is chronological. Varied in tone, viewpoint, and purpose, the writings create a sense of many voices, young and old, and many visions. The often-spectacular artwork, beautifully reproduced on glossy paper, is particularly striking. With contributions from more than 100 notable contemporary children's writers and illustrators as well as former presidents, their family members, and others who wrote firsthand accounts of their experiences, this is a unique resource that will intrigue children about their country's history.

Horn Book (Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2009)

Max and David, two preternaturally talented students at magical Rowan Academy, quest around the world and eventually beyond to prevent a demon from gaining the power to unmake creation. This dark sequel (the forces of good are continually defeated) swells in scale and scope, and Neff occasionally overrelies on summary, but overall his storytelling remains compelling.

Kirkus Reviews

In this sumptuous pro bono volume, 108 children's authors and illustrators (with the occasional celebrity, president or other official chiming in) contribute original art, personal reminiscences, short stories, poems and historical vignettes about the White House and its residents. The generally chronological arrangement begins with a reproduction of the mansion's original 1792 RFP and closes with a nighttime view of an empty chair. In between, it offers comments on the early African-American connection by Walter Dean Myers and Milton Meltzer; Richard Peck's account of William Henry Harrison's search for a good milk cow; Steven Kellogg's envisioning of a Presidential Pet Show and much besides. The tone is positive overall, though occasional entries such as a fictive interview with picketing suffragist Alice Paul, and contradictory passages from the 9/11 Commission Report, supply a tincture of controversy. As with Jennifer Armstrong's monumental American Story (2006), illustrated by Roger Roth, even brief dips into this will leave readers with the clear sense that we do have a national history, and it's worth knowing too. (source notes, contributor bios, index) (Anthology. 8-adult)

Voice of Youth Advocates

This unique collaboration of writers and illustrators should find a place in most school and public library collections. The list of contributors is astonishing, with more than one hundred recognizable names chiming in on some aspect of White House history. The book is divided into seven historical interludes, covering the full span from George Washington to George W. Bush. The entries are short, introducing a topic or event that might tease readers to do some historical investigation on their own. And although most entries are appealing in a something-for-everyone kind of way, there are a few that stand out. Richard Peck's The White House Cow is a yarn about little-known William Henry Harrison. Unsurprisingly Russell Freedman's essay on the Lincoln boys is excellent. Jean Craighead George's Executive Order for Nature is an eloquent history of the conservation movement, ending with the question, "How has it gone so wrong?" Hoover's One Term, written and illustrated by Matt Phelan, captures the poignancy of Hoover's negligence effectively in soft pencil drawings. And if readers are curious about White House ghosts, M. T. Anderson has something to say on that subject. The book can be browsed or read cover-to-cover, depending on the reader's preference. Readers of many ages will find something enjoyable here, from awesome illustrations to penetrating insights, making this book relevant for those from elementary school through high school. An audio recording containing further reflections by contributors is also included.-Diane Colson.