Presidential Misadventures

December 22, 2014
Commanders-in-chief have long been targets for jokes, and Raczka continues this tradition with gusto in a collection of clerihews (short comic verses aimed at the famous) for each American president, accompanied by Burr’s impish b&w caricatures. The poems are based in truth, with casual observations and (mostly) good-natured roasting: “Pennsylvanian James Buchanan/ had poor taste in party plannin’./ For dinner, he often served sauerkraut./ No doubt for dessert it was brussels sprouts.” Some clerihews, however, have a bit more sting: “Relaxer-in-chief George W. Bush/ discovered the nation’s top job was cush./ He took more than 900 days of vacation,/ a record for two-term administrations.” These poems are satisfying bursts of sarcasm and wit, and an appendix provides clarification about Raczka’s many political and historical references. Ages 8–12.

October 15, 2014
Presidential portraits in light verse.Raczka adopts the four-line, limericklike clerihew to skewer each of the U.S. presidents. Assisted by brilliantly expressive pen-and-ink caricatures from award-winning cartoonist Burr, Raczka makes the most of historical trivia, lampooning a wide variety of presidential idiosyncrasies. Sometimes he pokes fun at daily habits: "Fitness nut John Quincy Adams / lived by the words, 'Up and at 'em.' / Every morning, right at dawn, / he swam the Potomac with no clothes on." Other times he highlights significant events: "Rough Rider Theodore Roosevelt / was shot near the heart, which he hardly felt. / The bullet was slowed by a fifty-page speech, / which Teddy still gave. That's a 'tough' you can't teach." Throughout, Raczka succeeds in portraying these historic leaders of the free world in a light seldom seen. To add to the fun, an appendix provides brief back stories to the historical tidbits inspiring each poem, ranging from educational miscellany like the origin of Barack Obama's "Yes we can" campaign slogan in the motto of the United Farm Workers Union to such mindless trivia as 340-pound William Howard Taft and his infamous bathtub. Lighthearted and entertaining, Raczka's irreverent quatrains show middle graders no figure is too lofty for some poetic play. (Informational poetry. 8-12)

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March 1, 2015

Gr 3-6-This petite treat cracks open history via a little light mockery in the form of 43 clerihews, one for each president of the United States. The book opens with an explanation of the form's origin and structure (the clerihew is a four-line poem with an AABB rhyming scheme that pokes fun at its famous subject, who is introduced in the first line). Readers will be engaged by the jokes and impelled to flip to the appendix to learn more. An irreverent tone runs through these selections. One poem describes Thomas Jefferson, who "went to town to buy bananas/and came home with Louisiana," while the accompanying illustration depicts him carrying a large outline of the state with a $15,000,000 price tag. The book includes other important bits of history such as the Monroe Doctrine and the purchase of Alaska. The research is sound, with reference sources cited, and cartoonist Burr's large-headed, pen-and-ink caricatures are humorous. Some of the textual and visual references will be lost on kids (such as the drawing of Richard Nixon being cued by the cameraman to read a script card that says, "I am not a crook."). However, the book will spark the inquisitive seeker in every reader and is a quick launch into research. VERDICT A fun and informative addition to poetry collections.-Teresa Pfeifer, The Springfield Renaissance School, Springfield, MA

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2015
Grades 3-6 For readers not familiar with the clerihew, a four-line rhyming poem that pokes fun at a famous person, they will quickly catch on, thanks to this jovial collection. And who better to poke fun at than those at the very top, the presidents of the United States? An introductory note on the clerihew form sets the tone for the amusement ahead. Some poems focus on historical facts, such as the Monroe Doctrine ( If you trespass, you'll be shot. / That's my doctrine, like it or not ), while others point out quirky facts and foibles, like those of Jimmy Carter ( To save on heat he wore cardigan sweaters. / Unfortunately, he was not a trendsetter ). Although clerihews may have irregular meter, Raczka keeps a regular meter, lending a steady rhythm throughout the collection. From George Washington's wooden toothy grin to Ronald Reagan's hill of jelly beans, black-and-white caricature line drawings accentuate the humor, and an appendix adds more details to each poem. Share these aloud with history buffs or to enliven the classroom.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)