JFK: A Picture Book Biography of the Boy Who Became President for Children

by Jonah Winter, A.G. Ford (Illustrator)

The New York Times bestselling team that brought readers Barack in 2008 presents this picture book biography of John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States of America. JFK tells how a little boy grew up to be president in a story about hope and courage and the power of words. It details JFK's childhood as well as his presidency and includes the Cuban missile crisis, the civil rights movement, the Camelot years, and a firsthand account of his assassination.

JFK's is a story that has been told by many voices. Acclaimed picture book biographer Jonah Winter offers his own voice and memories about JFK and his significance in this heartfelt personal profile, illustrated in vibrant detail by award-winning artist AG Ford.

Genres: Biography, Picture Books, Nonfiction, History, Childrens, Presidents, Biography Memoir

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2013

About the author

Jonah Winter is the celebrated author of many picture book biographies, including Barack, which was a New York Times bestseller. His books include Here Comes the Garbage Barge, Sonia Sotomayor, Roberto Clemente, and more. A poet and a painter, Mr. Winter divides his time between Santa Fe and a small town in Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Licha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars--5 stars

This is an excellent biography for children on JFK. I'm a little bit surprised at people rating this down because it didn't delve into the more sordid aspects of JFK, but this is a children's book. Why would those details need to be included here? In terms of this being a children's book, this is really good. I didn't give it four stars because it isn't a book that necessarily got to my heart, probably because there is so much information out there on JFK, but I think it's a fantastic way to introduce children to history and biographies, especially about presidents.

The artwork: 5 stars only because I can't give it more. This is a beautiful book to look at and even display. The details had me staring at it, unable to look away. Superb illustrations and beautiful color.

[Bandar Al-Dossari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parents may have to answer questions from inquisitive kids about those years in American history and the Dallas assassination, but this book is a terrific jumping-off point for learning about the Kennedy years. Beautiful illustrated picture book biography & gives a different perspective of JFK life.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

JFK by Jonah Winter. Illustrated by AG Ford. PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. Katherine Tegen Books, 2013. $18. 9780061768071.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE: AVERAGE

JFK is a picture about John Fitzgerald Kennedy, often referred to by his initials JFK, who was an American politician who served as the 35th president of the United States. It begins with the author’s experience of seeing him while JFK was President. It then mentions JFK’s assassination, and finally takes the reader to the start of JFK’s life and upbringing. It is very informational and contains a lot of interesting and informative facts.

JFK is a great way for a child to read and understand more about John Fitzgerald Kennedy. It reads in a way that would interest a young reader, using words and terms appropriate for an upper elementary school reader’s level. It would be an excellent way for a child to learn about JFK without getting too overwhelmed with difficult words, talk of policies, politics, etc.

Reviewer: AR/SL
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[RLL22017 Jackie Reynoso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book about one of our most beloved U.S. presidents. JFK is a biographical picture book about the 35th President John F. Kennedy. I liked how the story gives detailed information about his childhood and how he became president. It also explains how even though he was from a wealthy family and never had the need to work, JFK believed in public service and always wanted to do good deeds for his country. During his Presidency he faced many challenges, such as the civil rights movement and the Cuban missile crisis, but he always knew how to dissipate growing tensions between the U.S. and its people, as well as foreign countries. Thanks to JFK’s intelligence and courage the United States was put on the path of progression. I love the large and lively pictures they will definitely keep young children engaged. Recommended for pre-k to 2nd grade.

[Kendra Degner · Rating 2 out of 5]

This biography picture book by Jonah Winter depicts JFK’s life and his presidency. The book goes through his life about the missile crisis, Camelot years, the civil rights movement, and his assassination. This book talks about why JFK succeeded so much as president through details of what he did during his presidency.

I liked this book because it was very inspiring how a little boy with a normal life grew up to be the president of the United States. It is a very encouraging book and it shows how words are very important. The only thing that I disliked about this book was that there were so many words to read.

I could use this book in a unit about presidents. JFK was the 35th president of the United States and so reading a book to my class of a real president that lived would be very beneficial.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one had a substantial amount of biographical information including some of the more complicated elements of his campaign and the Cuban Missile Crisis, which surprised me, but pleasantly since it does show a more well-rounded picture of his life and upbringing, the tragedies of his family (that continue to this day), and the success of his presidency.

I absolutely find the illustrations of this batch of picture book biographies captivating including the choice for cover art.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous primer containing the most important things to know about JFK.

[Kelley Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely done biography for kiddos. Glosses over some of the less G-rated parts of his life, as is appropriate for this audience.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

First biography of John F Kennedy for elementary level readers. Winter takes readers from childhood through the presidency.

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent children's book illustrating JFK'S life and presidency minus the assassination.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit easier of a read than my other Kennedy biography. Apparently, I have great taste, as I found it in my basement with other books from my fetus teacher days.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 5 out of 5]

The text is interesting and informative and the illustrations are fabulous, truly bringing history to life.

More thoughts to come. I read an Advanced Reader Copy thanks to HC.

More thoughts:

While reading this book in preparation for a President's Day promotion I feel like I've read it before. Perhaps as an ARC. (Coming her to type my notes, and seeing ARC marked, that's apparently so. Therefore a real review is overdue!) I think the concept of a biographical picture book with a full cover image portrait of the subject is exactly as it should be.

AG Ford does an amazing job with this type of picture book and brings the subject to life off the page. Full history and political details might be too difficult for the youngest learners, but books such as this give a glimpse that should be known. I'm definitely a fan of Jonah Winter now as well.

Thanks to HC.

[Kelly Wiegand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelly Wiegand
February 16, 2015
EDL54500 Library Materials for Children and Youth

Title: JFK

Author: Jonah Winter

Plot: This tells the story of JFK and the challenges he overcame from childhood through adulthood to become the man and president people admired and loved.

Setting: Dallas, Texas; Washington D.C.

Characters: Narrator; The Kennedy Family

Point-of-View: First- Person (Narrator)

Themes: Perseverance; Family; Patriotism; Dedication; Heroism

Style: Narrative Non-Fiction

Copyright: 2013

Reflection: This was a great narrative non-fiction story that detailed the type of person JFK was and did not only focus on his assassination, but the person he was and the ideals he stood for. This book could be used to talk about character traits, for research, or patriotism.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

The cover close-up of Kennedy's face attracts readers, and the format of being told in the eye of a youngster at the Dallas parade is a unique presentation. Even though the Kennedy family members do have a distinctive smile, the toothy smiles throughout the book were exaggerated and distracting for me.
This is an example of trying to simplify a complex topic to the point of leaving out too much information. Although it did include many details, it would likely be more useful as a read aloud, to encourage students to do more research. The author did admit that some people did not like JFK, but it has a distinctive fairy tale feel, even starting with "Once upon a time..."

[Wai Ho · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Fitzgerald Kennedy, to me he was the best president of the US. He did a lot of good things in his life, for example he refused to wage wars and refused a lot of CIA black operations. The day that he got killed was 1963, November 22nd. The man who was accused for this was Lee Harvey Oswald, which many believe this was a cover up. Oswald killed JFK with a 6.5x52mm bolt action rifle. That was the most messed up part that i read.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful paintings of the president and his family grace this child friendly biography. The author, as a small child, grew up in Dallas and witnessed the fateful motorcade. He gives a fair treatment to JFK's success, not glossing over the importance that his personal charisma played in his political career. Will use this next month in a social studies lesson.

[Holly Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jonah Winter was only one year old in Dallas, TX when he saw John F. Kennedy drive by, only moments before he was assassinated. He writes of the legacy of JFK's Irish Catholic family and how John rose to power to become the President of the United States. The vivid illustrations capture the Kennedy family's charisma and Camelot-like charm.

[Shelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated picture book biography for young readers about John F. Kennedy. Briefly covering everything from Kennedy’s ancestors’ immigration from Ireland, his life and sudden tragic death, to how his words still impact people today; making this a perfect read aloud to share with students when covering presidential history or just for the love of learning.

[Tracy Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

An informative look at the early life of JFK. The book starts with the author's "memory" of attending the infamous parade in Dallas. The author then tells about the life of JFK from childhood, through the war, and his ultimate election to the oval office. There is more text in this than in some other biographies that I have read of late. It is a good starting point for research.

[Ann Haefele · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover attracted me to this book. The illustrator, AG Ford, has done an amazing job depicting JFK. The biography gives basic information about both the boy and the man that JFK was, but it seemed too simplified to me. It is a decent biography that should encourage more research on JFK and his family.

[Rebecca Plaza · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very nice accessible text. Personably told.Talking about JFK thru the lens of reading and writing shows students how a writer's purpose can be very deliberate.
I like this author.. will search out his other bios.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 1 out of 5]

A factually flawed hagiography with unappealing illustrations.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations, begins and ends with personal feelings of the author which is interesting.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the illustrations in this book!

[Ms. Tongate, TLC Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young Catholic with a Boston accent and charisma who modeled the power of words. A presidential bio that all ages can use for research. Illustrations are beautiful. A secondary read-aloud.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated picture book biography that is written in a very reader-friendly way. it is a great addition to the fairly numerous JFK biographies already out there.

[Mary Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

How can I take it seriously when it begins with, "Once upon a time..."?

[Dana Pressnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different perspective. JFK family

[Lee Harvey · Rating 1 out of 5]

i 360 no scoped this fag lol

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Captivating illustrations. Seems like an elementary book, but text is higher level. Gives general overview of Kennedy without much detail.