Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
The White House: A Pop-Up of Our Nation's Home
Novelty pop-up book
For ages 6 to 8
Scholastic, 2015 ISBN: 978-0545540896
The White House is, without a doubt, one of the most famous buildings in the world. It is not an especially large place. Nor is it as grand as Buckingham Palace or as stunningly beautiful as the Taj Mahal, but it nevertheless has played an important role in world history.
Construction on America’s most iconic building began in 1792 and the White House has been home to every U.S. president since John Adams won the election in 1800. The east room is the largest and grandest room in the White House and it is here that many official events take place. This room is also home to the famous portrait of George Washington, which Dolley Madison saved from destruction during the War of 1812. One fine days, the rose garden also serves as a venue for official events such as bill signings, diplomatic receptions, and press conferences.
In front of the famous portico is another green space that is used for special events. This is the South Lawn, which “looks across the National Mall to the Washington Monument.” Every Easter the sitting president of the United States hosts the annual Easter Egg Roll on the Lawn.
The president works in the West Wing in a room known as the Oval Office. The space was turned into an office for the president when Howard Taft occupied the White House. It is here that many important decisions are made that affect the United States.
In this beautiful pop-up book Robert Sabuda makes it possible for us to view famous locations in the White House. On each pop-up rich spread he gives us a little information about the place we are looking at. In addition, stanzas from a poem called “Inauguration Day,” written by Richard Watson Gilder and adapted by Robert Sabuda, appear on the pages.
This book would be a wonderful gift for readers who love and collect pop-up titles.
