So You Want to Be President?

Title: So You Want to Be President?
2001 Caldecott Winner
Author/Illustrator: Judith St. George/ David Small
Published: 2000
Summary: This is a humorous account of the vices and virtues of the US Presidency from George Washington to Bill Clinton.
Memorable Quote: It's said that people who run for President have swelled heads.
Artistic Example: Comical caricatures help depict the personalities of the Presidents.
Teaching Idea: Define political cartoons and explore elements of cartoons such as caricature and symbolism by showing examples of current day political cartoons. As cartoonists, students will draw their own political cartoon based on a current event. Put together a class book of students' cartoons' and share collectively.
Grade Level: 3 - 6
Reading Level (Lexile): 730

Golem

Title: Golem
1997 Caldecott Medal Winner
Author/Illustrator: David Wisniewski
Published: 1996
Summary: Rabbi Loew forms a giant, Golem, from clay to defend the Jews of Praque from persecution.
Memorable Quote: Would a people who celebrate the end of their own slavery wish to inflict slavery on others?
Artistic Example: Layered cut-paper collages of Rabbi Loew giving life to the clay formed Golem convey the richness of symbolism in Jewish mysticism.
Teaching Ideas: Discuss the art technique of collage. Students will use magazines to make a collage inspired by another collage illustrated book about a group of people who have historically fought against prejudice and intolerance such as African Americans in Nikki Giovanni's Rosa.
Grade Level: 3 - 6
Reading Level (Lexile): 690