"Our Country’s Presidents" is an excellent addition to home and school libraries and will be of interest to children and adults.

In this full-color, oversized, hardcover book, you’ll find Presidential profiles, from George Washington to George W. Bush. Each biographical sketch also contains a full color official portrait, a Presidential signature, fact boxes for reference, and famous quotes from the President’s speeches and writings.

The men who have led this nation are presented in an authoritative, readable, and lavishly illustrated reference guide. In addition to biographies, the book contains more than 300 illustrations—from period artwork to stunning photography. I was also impressed by ten thematic photo spreads that cover everything from children in the White House to "First Ladies: Partners, Hostesses, and Crusaders." Another great essay is "Presidents Who Died In Office: The Mysterious Twenty-Year Curse."

It’s a very big job: President of the United States. Forty-two men have taken up the responsibilities of the Presidency as the nation has grown from its colonial infancy into a modern superpower. They’ve faithfully executed the duties of the President—waged war, signed treaties, addressed Congress, and established government offices. But their impact goes far beyond the bounds of their job description. Each President has left his mark on the history of the United States and on the lives of the American people.

"Our Country’s Presidents,"published by the National Geographic Society, is packed with information about America’s leaders. Find out why George Washington gave up his life as a Virginia planter to lead a nation, and why John Tyler was nicknamed "His Accidency." Follow the Presidents through wars, depressions, civil rights movements, and the space race. Romp with the Garfield children in a White House pillow fight and mourn with the nation over John F. Kennedy’s assassination. In-depth text and historic images combine to make this volume the definitive family reference guide to the fascinating lives of the Presidents of the United States.

An excellent companion volume is another National Geographic book, "The Making of America: The History of the United States from 1492 to the Present" by Historian Robert D. Johnston. First Lady Laura Bush wrote the Foreword.

These books will be of interest to both children and adults. They’ll spark lots of dinner table conversation and impromptu trivia games.

Summer vacation is right around the corner. I know your children want to have fun, but learning can be a part of their fun.

These books, and thousands more, are available at the Jesse Stuart Foundation Bookstore, 1645 Winchester Avenue, in downtown Ashland. Stop by and we’ll help you pick books that are age appropriate and interesting. Good books make good readers!

For more information, call (606) 326-1667 or visit our website: JSFBOOKS.COM.