5 Great President's Day Read Alouds + Resources
I LOVE picture books centered around historical events and real people. Are y'all with me on that? Those are some of the most fun read alouds to do, because they are colorful and engaging, but then you get to tell your students that THIS REALLY HAPPENED and THOSE PEOPLE ACTUALLY EXISTED. I love it. I think it's a lot of instructional bang for your buck, and I'm all about that.
So, as we look ahead to planning for February, I have 5 President's Day read aloud that you could try this year. A couple on this list are new to me, so I'm wondering if they will be new to you, as well!
Ok, whew. That title is a mouthful. This book is adorable. It does not discuss much about Abraham Lincoln as a president, which makes it a little out of the ordinary. Instead, it describes his childhood, and introduces us to his best friend as a kid: Benjamin Austin Gollaher.
Everything about this story is loosely based on real events. Gollaher was a real person, and legend has it that they were really best friends. His headstone in Kentucky even reads "Lincoln's Playmate". The story that takes place in this book (they try to cross a creek), is based on stories Benjamin Austin Gollaher told about his own childhood. You and your class can speculate how much of it is really true, but the scenes in Kentucky are really the way Abraham Lincoln grew up, and I think that's just plain fascinating!
In April of 1796, George Washington went to Gilbert Stuart's home to have his portrait made. These are the facts that we know:
-This really happened. The portrait still exists (it’s on the dollar bill!)
-Gilbert Stuart was known for pranks and outrageous antics.
-Mr. Stuart had 12 children. They were present at the portrait painting.
These facts were all Lynn Cullen need to craft a fascinating story about the Cullen children's behavior during President Washington's portrait session. The book is told from the point of view of Cullen's daughter, Charlotte, as she writes letters to "Mr. Washington", apologizing for all of the crazy mishaps that her siblings were responsible for.
It's funny, it's adorable, and it opens the door for lots of conversation about "then & now" (what are portraits? They didn't have iPhones?), and how children are children no matter the era.
There are specific lines from this book that make me choke up a little EVERY time I read them. Like, I know they're coming! But it's just too powerful...Abe Lincoln had a raw and specific dream for this country that he never really got to see come to fruition. Have we made his dream come true yet?
If you have upper elementary or middle school students, this book could bring forth plenty of deep discussion about modern-day racism, equality in our country, and current events. It also could give you a chance to reflect with your students on how far we've come as a country, which always brings me peace when I realize how much work still needs to be done. <3
This book is a rhyming, silly story about...you guessed it, George Washington's Teeth! It describes silly ways that he loses his teeth one-by-one, ultimately having false teeth. But, the thing I admire about this book is how it laces real history in the midst of the goofiness. George is leading troops in the revolutionary war, he's married to Martha, he's elected president...all while losing his teeth. There are tons of mini-history lessons you can pull out of this text, but your students will be smiling at the silliness!
Another inspiring, slightly emotional, and fascinating book about a little girl who wonders about Abraham Lincoln’s life after seeing the Lincoln Memorial. It’s a sweet read aloud that makes me so very happy!
