President Squid

December 14, 2015
Reynolds’s (Nerdy Birdy) antic extravaganza stars a power-hungry, bubblegum-pink squid that Varon (Odd Duck) gives peg teeth and an Uncle Sam hat: “I will be the greatest president who ever lived!” Some of the reasons he wants to run: presidents wear ties, do “all the talking,” and get to be the boss. “Hey, Shark!” he commands experimentally. “Brush your teeth! Hey, Jellyfish! Comb your tentacles! You look terrible!” But when he tries to ask a sardine for its vote, the sardine can’t respond; it’s stuck in a clam. The squid, sweating a bit, releases the sardine. “You did it, sir! You helped me!” the freed fish gushes. “Helping people... that’s very presidential!” There’s no redemption here: “Being president is exhausting,”
the squid sputters. “I want to be... King Squid!” Varon’s drawings are under graceful control, their comic energy harnessed to keep the action clear. The undersea setting contributes laughs of its own—and savvy readers will not miss the startling similarity between the megalomaniacal squid and a certain presidential candidate. Ages 5–8. Author’s agent: Paul Rodeen, Rodeen Literary Management. Illustrator’s agent: Tanya McKinnon, McKinnon McIntyre.

January 1, 2016
An addlepated, snaggle-toothed, hot-pink giant squid decides to run for president. Sounds like a plan. "I WILL BE THE GREATEST PRESIDENT WHO EVER LIVED! Wanna know why? Here are five important reasons." Here Reynolds puts the narrative on comic cruise control, each sentence a finely tuned inanity, and Varon complements the verbiage with deadpan comical artwork. Those reasons? Well, the president wears a tie. "I look fabulous in a tie." He's also got a big house, he's famous, and he "does all the talking." Plus, a president is the big boss. "Hey, Jellyfish! Comb your tentacles! You look terrible! See? Very bossy." Enter a sardine and a clam, the sardine half-stuck in--or perhaps being eaten by--the clam. Hoping to free the sardine, the squid shows the clam his tie, explains about the size of his house, calls attention to his fame. The clam is unimpressed. Then the giant squid takes on the clam to free the sardine. He nearly has a myocardial infarction, but he frees the sardine. The squid's a hero, but he's exhausted. Being president is hard work. Better, he suggests, to be king. "All the power! None of the work!" This is political satire at its most playful, not so much derisive or mocking as a little poke in the eye. He may bloviate, but this squid is an OK guy. In the tradition of great windbags, meet President--err, King Squid. (Picture book. 4-8)

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March 1, 2016

K-Gr 3-Squid realizes something very important-no giant squid has ever been president. He decides he will be the first one. After all, he has the right qualities for the office. Presidents wear ties, and he looks fabulous in a tie. Presidents have enormous houses, and his is "absolutely TITANIC!" He's also famous, is great at doing all the talking, and is big and bossy. But when he takes his presidency a bit too seriously, it is a little guy who shows him what being presidential is all about. This witty tale of an ego-driven squid who thinks the presidency is all about being the boss is pure satire, ripe for an election year. Varon's mixed-media cartoon art provides a colorful underwater locale complete with its own Mount Rushmore, sunken cruise ship, and array of quirky sea creatures. Large, bold typeface provides early readers opportunities to engage with the text, and the book would make an enjoyable read-aloud. VERDICT An amusing addition to most collections and a great discussion starter about leadership and politics.-Carol Connor, Cincinnati Public Schools, OH

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