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Kid President's Guide to Being Awesome
"This is LIFE, people! You've got air coming through your nose! You've got a heartbeat! That means it's time to do something!" announces Kid President in his book, Kid President's Guide to Being Awesome . From YouTube sensation (75 million views and counting!) to Hub Network summer series star, Kid President—ten-year-old Robby Novak—and his videos have inspired millions to dance more, to celebrate life, and to throw spontaneous parades. In his Guide to Being Awesome , Kid President pulls together lists of awesome ideas to help the world, awesome interviews with his awesome celebrity friends (he has interviewed Beyoncé!), and a step-by-step guide to make pretty much everything a little bit awesomer. Grab a corn dog and settle in to your favorite comfy chair. Pretend it's your birthday! (In fact, treat everyone like it's THEIR birthday!) Kid President is here with a 240-page, full-color Guide to Being Awesome that'll spread love and inspire the world.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published February 3, 2015
68 people are currently reading
736 people want to read
About the author
Robby Novak
1 book12 followersRobby Novak is an American personality best known for portraying Kid President online and on television.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
June 23, 2015
By the end of this book, the endless repetition of awesome really started to annoy.
However, this is probably due to the fact that I read the entire book over the course of only a few sessions and really started to burn out about halfway through. This is not a sit-down-and-read-the-whole-thing kind of book. It's more of a place-this-on-your-coffee-table-or-in-your-bathroom kind of read that an obsessive reader might have trouble pacing.
That being said, if I'd had taken a little more time with it, I'm sure I would have enjoyed it a lot more. Kid President (and, more often than not, his brother-in-law) provide an eclectic mix of ways to improve the world around you. The book's strength comes from the interviews with people who have accomplished something that help others Among these is an interview with Jeremy Cowart, a photographer who provides free professional portrait sessions to people in need, is particularly poignant. After a father passed away before having a chance to have a portrait session with his family, Cowart photographed the family, then seamlessly superimposed the father into the work. Also among the interviews is a 15-year-old who invented an early detection device for pancreatic cancer.
There are a slew of celebrity interviews as well. For the most part, these are quite inspirational and informative. I really didn't think I could care one iota about Jeff Foxworthy, but I do now. (He runs a group at an Atlanta homeless shelter every week.) However, the interview with Andrew W. K. is so unrelentingly moronic that it knocks this book down a full star, even though the interview is one page out of 238. ("To party is to do what you like, and to like what you do. You live every day as a party. How? Just by partying. Everyday." He goes on like that for a full page.)
There's a lot of entertaining filler to balance out the more in depth pieces. A lot of the suggestions for being awesome consist of a single sentence and a full-page photograph or drawing (Suggestion #56: Love changes everything, so fill the world with it), but I didn't really mind this.
This book isn't a keeper for me, but it will soon grace the shelf of my classroom. A book that touts the benefits of getting off of your cell phone always has a place there.
However, this is probably due to the fact that I read the entire book over the course of only a few sessions and really started to burn out about halfway through. This is not a sit-down-and-read-the-whole-thing kind of book. It's more of a place-this-on-your-coffee-table-or-in-your-bathroom kind of read that an obsessive reader might have trouble pacing.
That being said, if I'd had taken a little more time with it, I'm sure I would have enjoyed it a lot more. Kid President (and, more often than not, his brother-in-law) provide an eclectic mix of ways to improve the world around you. The book's strength comes from the interviews with people who have accomplished something that help others Among these is an interview with Jeremy Cowart, a photographer who provides free professional portrait sessions to people in need, is particularly poignant. After a father passed away before having a chance to have a portrait session with his family, Cowart photographed the family, then seamlessly superimposed the father into the work. Also among the interviews is a 15-year-old who invented an early detection device for pancreatic cancer.
There are a slew of celebrity interviews as well. For the most part, these are quite inspirational and informative. I really didn't think I could care one iota about Jeff Foxworthy, but I do now. (He runs a group at an Atlanta homeless shelter every week.) However, the interview with Andrew W. K. is so unrelentingly moronic that it knocks this book down a full star, even though the interview is one page out of 238. ("To party is to do what you like, and to like what you do. You live every day as a party. How? Just by partying. Everyday." He goes on like that for a full page.)
There's a lot of entertaining filler to balance out the more in depth pieces. A lot of the suggestions for being awesome consist of a single sentence and a full-page photograph or drawing (Suggestion #56: Love changes everything, so fill the world with it), but I didn't really mind this.
This book isn't a keeper for me, but it will soon grace the shelf of my classroom. A book that touts the benefits of getting off of your cell phone always has a place there.
February 3, 2015
What a wonderful way to encourage ourselves to do good and be better every day! This is a colorful, clever book that deserves a place of honor in your cleanest bathroom. Then all of the friends who visit your home can become edified and inspired when they were just looking to go potty.
Well done Brad, Robby, and Kristi!
Well done Brad, Robby, and Kristi!
May 18, 2016
This was a really cute book and if you like Kid President then trust me, you will love this. Really inspiring interviews and quirky tips on between about making the world more awesome. So go. Be awesome!
September 1, 2017
I just love Kid President.
January 22, 2016
Everyone can learn a lot from this kid! Love 'em!
August 20, 2022
Need a shot of joy and hope? Grab this book. Then go and be awesome!
March 11, 2021
I love all things Kid President! This book was funny, inspiring, and a joy to read!!
May 28, 2022
You can't help but smile when you wander through the pages of this book. Kid President is filled with sound advice about kindness and love. His best advice was to settle a conflict, buy everyone ice cream.
Yes, it may sound a little childish but after the news of the last few days, I needed something light-hearted and innocent. ( 2 teachers and 19 students were killed at Uvalde Elementary in Texas)
We could all use a dose of kindness.
The book can seem repetitive, but it is worth the read..
Yes, it may sound a little childish but after the news of the last few days, I needed something light-hearted and innocent. ( 2 teachers and 19 students were killed at Uvalde Elementary in Texas)
We could all use a dose of kindness.
The book can seem repetitive, but it is worth the read..
March 1, 2016
If you love Kid President, if you need to be "pep-talked," if you want to make your life (and the world!) more awesome, then this book is a must-read for you. In Kid President's Guide to Being Awesome, YouTube sensation Robby Novak and creator Brad Montague compile their original ideas on how to make the world a better place by sharing spurts of wisdom as well as their own authentic experiences. The book begins with biographical information about how Kid President came about and is followed by distinct chapters revolving around themes such as, "Life is What Happens When You Put Your Phone Down," "Wanna Be a World Changer? Be a Day Maker!" and "It's Okay to Get Discouraged. It's Not Okay to Stop." Within each chapter, there are stories of ordinary people, inspiring the world by being purely awesome.
This colorful, uplifting book is an asset to any elementary school classroom. Teachers can incorporate the book into the students' learning environment by reading aloud one short section each day. Not only will this enhance literacy skills, but it will also make students engaged in reading! Simply put, this is a book written by a kid for kids, so students will be able to relate to both the humor and serious messages that Robby has to share. The influx of positive ideas will likely even inspire students to act differently in their own everyday lives. Additionally, teachers can utilize Kid President as a positive theme in their classroom and incorporate the plethora of videos this duo has online in various lessons and as a way to strengthen classroom culture.
From the moment I picked up this book, I was WOWed. Although I am a sucker for inspirational quotes (and will likely highlight my favorite lines in my own copy of this book), Kid President's Guide to Being Awesome serves as feel-good motivation for people of any age. Furthermore, this book is written in a way that is simple and easy to understand while also harboring deeper, bold messages. From stories of licking White House walls and mailing corndogs to friends to anecdotes of gratitude and treating all people with compassion, this book hits the full emotional spectrum. Brad and Robby have crafted the perfect mix of laughter inducing moments and heartfelt quotes that make for a satisfying, warm read.
Skeptical about reading advice from a child? Even Kid President admits, "I don't know everything; I'm just a kid," but his brother in law and partner in this project, Brad, sheds some light on children's perspectives saying, "Kids are awesome like that. They see things differently. Where I might see a handrail, he sees a slide. Where I might see a puddle of water, he sees a perfect place to jump. Where I might be quick to see the differences between myself and someone else, he's quick to make a friend. That's what happens when you look for the best in the world." Sometimes the most insightful wisdom comes in small packages.
This colorful, uplifting book is an asset to any elementary school classroom. Teachers can incorporate the book into the students' learning environment by reading aloud one short section each day. Not only will this enhance literacy skills, but it will also make students engaged in reading! Simply put, this is a book written by a kid for kids, so students will be able to relate to both the humor and serious messages that Robby has to share. The influx of positive ideas will likely even inspire students to act differently in their own everyday lives. Additionally, teachers can utilize Kid President as a positive theme in their classroom and incorporate the plethora of videos this duo has online in various lessons and as a way to strengthen classroom culture.
From the moment I picked up this book, I was WOWed. Although I am a sucker for inspirational quotes (and will likely highlight my favorite lines in my own copy of this book), Kid President's Guide to Being Awesome serves as feel-good motivation for people of any age. Furthermore, this book is written in a way that is simple and easy to understand while also harboring deeper, bold messages. From stories of licking White House walls and mailing corndogs to friends to anecdotes of gratitude and treating all people with compassion, this book hits the full emotional spectrum. Brad and Robby have crafted the perfect mix of laughter inducing moments and heartfelt quotes that make for a satisfying, warm read.
Skeptical about reading advice from a child? Even Kid President admits, "I don't know everything; I'm just a kid," but his brother in law and partner in this project, Brad, sheds some light on children's perspectives saying, "Kids are awesome like that. They see things differently. Where I might see a handrail, he sees a slide. Where I might see a puddle of water, he sees a perfect place to jump. Where I might be quick to see the differences between myself and someone else, he's quick to make a friend. That's what happens when you look for the best in the world." Sometimes the most insightful wisdom comes in small packages.
August 19, 2015
There are not adequate words to express how much I love Kid President. Robby Novak and his brother-in-law Brad are two of the coolest people on this planet. Actually the whole Novak/Montague family is pretty amazing. If you don't know the story of Kid President here's the very short version. A few years ago, in July 2012, Brad and Robby decided to make a video for their family and friends. Little did they realize or even anticipate that it would go viral and *overnight* Kid President was encouraging people to dance and make life awesome. And it has just grown from there. Oh and not only is Robby *only* 11 but he also has the brittle bone disease, he's had broken bones over 70 times in his 11 years of life so far! But nobody would ever know, he's more focused on dancing and making the world awesome. This kid is legit.
So the book. It was incredibly inspirational/motivational, super engaging, funny, super cool people doing super cool things in this world are featured, ways to be awesome are included. It is one of the best books. If you need a good pick me up or kick in the behind then read just one or two pages of this book and your whole attitude will transform. When watching/listening/reading Kid President it is impossible not to feel joyful, inspired, and moved. Watching or reading Kid President is good for what ails you. Check out his other videos on the Kid President YouTube Channel. This book is worth it, I'll be reading it over and over - reminders of awesomeness are always welcome!
So the book. It was incredibly inspirational/motivational, super engaging, funny, super cool people doing super cool things in this world are featured, ways to be awesome are included. It is one of the best books. If you need a good pick me up or kick in the behind then read just one or two pages of this book and your whole attitude will transform. When watching/listening/reading Kid President it is impossible not to feel joyful, inspired, and moved. Watching or reading Kid President is good for what ails you. Check out his other videos on the Kid President YouTube Channel. This book is worth it, I'll be reading it over and over - reminders of awesomeness are always welcome!
August 4, 2015
Synopsis- “Life is too short to not be awesome.” [Kid President A.K.A. Robby Novak] Have you ever wondered how you could make the world better? Kid President brings this AWESOME knowledge! Kid President is a YouTube Star who does incredibly inspiring videos (if you haven’t seen them – you should!), and just makes you feel good with his words of wisdom. This book follows suit. It is packed with 100 ways to change to world for the better and be awesome doing it.
What I Thought- This is a wonderfully uplifting book. This book was a great read. It captures the joy of an excited kid ready to take on life. There are marvelous tips on how to make your life more awesome, and others’ lives more awesome. There are great celebrity interviews throughout the book, with people like Jeff Foxworthy, Beyoncé, Michelle Obama, and various kids who have taken action to make the world more awesome. The format of the book is really cool. There are tons of pictures, fact boxes, illustrations, interviews, and much more. The layout reminds me of a magazine – which, as a kid, I really find interesting and cool to look at. The book is a life-changer really. No lie. If everyone read this book, the world would definitely be better. Mr. Kid President, I have read the book and I am ready to be AWESOME!
*NOTE I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
What I Thought- This is a wonderfully uplifting book. This book was a great read. It captures the joy of an excited kid ready to take on life. There are marvelous tips on how to make your life more awesome, and others’ lives more awesome. There are great celebrity interviews throughout the book, with people like Jeff Foxworthy, Beyoncé, Michelle Obama, and various kids who have taken action to make the world more awesome. The format of the book is really cool. There are tons of pictures, fact boxes, illustrations, interviews, and much more. The layout reminds me of a magazine – which, as a kid, I really find interesting and cool to look at. The book is a life-changer really. No lie. If everyone read this book, the world would definitely be better. Mr. Kid President, I have read the book and I am ready to be AWESOME!
*NOTE I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
March 16, 2015
I love this book! Kid President is one of my heroes. He gives me hope and motivates me to be a better person. His new book gives you 100 ideas for making the world more awesome. Some ideas are short, but thoughtful mottos you can live by, like "If it doesn't make the the world better, don't do it," or "Be kind. It's not always easy, but it's always important." Many others are accompanied by stories of real kids and adults doing awesome things. There are interviews with famous people and regular people alike. I loved the fact that it introduced me to some great causes I didn't know about before. And the whole thing is full of the spunky humor we love about KP.
I got this book for my library, but I will be getting a copy to own for myself because I know I will return to it whenever I need a pep talk. I was feeling sort of down and disillusioned when I started this book, but now I feel refreshed and inspired. And I know that next time I'm facing a less-than-awesome day, I can remember KP's words: "Keep going, keep going, keep going."
This book will remind you that people of all ages are awesome and will inspire you to be more awesome as well. What's not to love?
I got this book for my library, but I will be getting a copy to own for myself because I know I will return to it whenever I need a pep talk. I was feeling sort of down and disillusioned when I started this book, but now I feel refreshed and inspired. And I know that next time I'm facing a less-than-awesome day, I can remember KP's words: "Keep going, keep going, keep going."
This book will remind you that people of all ages are awesome and will inspire you to be more awesome as well. What's not to love?
May 1, 2015
Not being very familiar with Kid President, I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. It was delightful and I dare you to read it without laughing. I especially found his experience in the White House delightful. The book is such a positive force for good. I enjoyed reading the stories of other ordinary people doing good things that were included. I also loved that Kid President asks everyone what they think would make the world more awesome. So many of the answers included being kind to others. If we could all have the positive attitude that is portrayed in this book the world would be a better place; that's for sure! I couldn't help myself but to spend some time on YouTube after reading it watching Kid President clips, although I haven't given away any corndogs yet and haven't started spontaneously dancing (that I'll admit to). ;)
April 13, 2015
It was awesome.
*drops mic* *walks away*
Jk. Kid President is indeed awesome. Like antidepressant in human form awesome. As is his BIL. And the various do-gooder kids they interview.
Makes you feel like we really can change the world one awesome party at a time. Read it, share it. Definitely share it with your kids.
KP, I am eternally high-fiving you for your extreme awesomeness. Keep perpetrating your awesome. I can see the world changing in its wake.
*drops mic* *walks away*
Jk. Kid President is indeed awesome. Like antidepressant in human form awesome. As is his BIL. And the various do-gooder kids they interview.
Makes you feel like we really can change the world one awesome party at a time. Read it, share it. Definitely share it with your kids.
KP, I am eternally high-fiving you for your extreme awesomeness. Keep perpetrating your awesome. I can see the world changing in its wake.
February 19, 2015
This book is AWESOME! Kid President really has a great perspective on life and the motivation to do something about it! Yes he has had amazing opportunities to spread his passion but he started out simply. I encourage EVERYONE to read this book! It puts you in a better mood to go through life and DANCE!
May 6, 2015
A must read for anyone and everyone! This kid (and his brother!) and the people featured in this book are sure to inspire anyone and strike a cord at some point with any reader! Watch his videos. Follow his teachings. Read this book! Wish I could afford to buy a copy for each and every one of my students!
May 22, 2015
Kid President's Guide to Being Awesome was fantastic! Filled with inspiring quotes and fun anecdotes. I really loved getting to know more about Robby and Brad. I especially loved the pep talks. Definitely a must read, especially for recent college graduates like myself. Go be awesome and help change the world.
April 26, 2015
Stellar. Just stellar. I wanted to tweet out each page of this book - to encourage adults and children alike to be more awesome. I am fortunate that a 7th grader loaned me her copy - I can't wait to get my own copy for our classroom!
May 26, 2015
One word: Awesome.
April 21, 2015
This book was awesome! It makes me want to be awesome! How awesome is that?
May 19, 2015
It is impossible not to love this book.
May 23, 2015
A great book by an amazing kid who has a very important message for the world! A must read!
June 12, 2015
Practical ways to better your world from a very inspiring young man!
May 23, 2015
This is a book everybody should read.
July 13, 2017
Robby Novak, better known as Kid President, has spent a lot of time trying to make the world more awesome. In this guide, he shares a list of 100 ways that his readers and fans can make the world more awesome too. Fans of his YouTube videos will recognize familiar things like his pep talk, the advice to send a friend a corn dog, and to treat everyone like it’s their birthday. The book also shares some information about how Robby stays positive in spite of his brittle bone condition, a background on some of his videos, select interviews with celebrities and other awesome people making the world more awesome, and lots of images to help show more about the things Robby has done. With so much information on making the world more awesome, everyone can find a way to give the world a reason to dance.
Anyone will come away from this book feeling better about the world and with ideas on how to make the world more awesome. It feels like Kid President’s tone, but Brad also steps in to help provide an adult perspective, background information, and more detail to Robby’s ideas. Some of the ideas are inspiring, some will make you laugh, and some will make you feel like there is something that you can do to make the world awesome and change your life. Part humor, part self-help book, part instruction manual, part it’s own project; this guide to being awesome will help readers of all ages join Kid President’s quest to treat everyone like they are a celebrity, eat more corn dogs, give more high fives, take less selfies and more otherpeoples, and find other ways to make the world more awesome.
Anyone will come away from this book feeling better about the world and with ideas on how to make the world more awesome. It feels like Kid President’s tone, but Brad also steps in to help provide an adult perspective, background information, and more detail to Robby’s ideas. Some of the ideas are inspiring, some will make you laugh, and some will make you feel like there is something that you can do to make the world awesome and change your life. Part humor, part self-help book, part instruction manual, part it’s own project; this guide to being awesome will help readers of all ages join Kid President’s quest to treat everyone like they are a celebrity, eat more corn dogs, give more high fives, take less selfies and more otherpeoples, and find other ways to make the world more awesome.
May 14, 2017
I love the Kid President videos! So picking up this book was a no-brainer. It's a mix of what's already been posted on the Youtube channel (and the SoulPancake Facebook page) and uplifting stories of those that have done good things for others.
Most interesting part of this book is the forward by Brad Montague, the big guy who's in a lot of the SP posts with KP. Turns out, he's Robby Novak's brother-in-law (Robby being the actual Kid President). I sort of wondered about this, as I thought it was cool that this very enthusiastic young man got the opportunity to make all these clips; it's actually something that he and his brother-in-law put together and it took off. Also, Robby has brittle bone disease (yep, the same thing as Samuel L. Jackson in Unbreakable). You'd never know it to look at him, and you certainly wouldn't know it from his actions! Young man takes it in stride, looks at the bright side of life, and yes, he dances. A LOT. And loves corndogs.
If you need something to lift your spirit, pick up this book.
Most interesting part of this book is the forward by Brad Montague, the big guy who's in a lot of the SP posts with KP. Turns out, he's Robby Novak's brother-in-law (Robby being the actual Kid President). I sort of wondered about this, as I thought it was cool that this very enthusiastic young man got the opportunity to make all these clips; it's actually something that he and his brother-in-law put together and it took off. Also, Robby has brittle bone disease (yep, the same thing as Samuel L. Jackson in Unbreakable). You'd never know it to look at him, and you certainly wouldn't know it from his actions! Young man takes it in stride, looks at the bright side of life, and yes, he dances. A LOT. And loves corndogs.
If you need something to lift your spirit, pick up this book.
June 11, 2020
The President wore Converse shoes! While it's often stated that "that's too simple; it'll never happen in the real world," kids' perspectives on how to do things or how to solve things that are wrong WILL work. It's just the details and specifics and procedures and repercussions that need to be addressed. Kid President, and his brother-in-law Brad, show us all how to be MORE awesome, because they are awesome enough, and then-some! All the interviews with other young and older-than-young people, famous and not-yet famous people, give a refreshing view that maybe the future of the world isn't doomed to fail, as we too-often fall into thinking is inevitable. Oh, dancing and corndogs are the answers to world peace!
June 28, 2017
It might not be a great idea to read this while pregnant...you might cry through the whole thing. This might be because Kid President is awesome and the concept of joyful rebellion is awesome and you feel like you haven't been awesome enough, particularly in today's current political climate. Maybe it's a really awesome idea to read this while pregnant though because you want to instill the level of confidence, kindness, and joy Kid President has in your unborn children to empower them to do good in world. Either way, it's a cute, fun, advice book for kids that captures the tone and message of the Kid President videos in book form.
June 28, 2017
Okay, so I only know the tiniest smidge about Kid President, but this just got me hooked. He is an amazing role model, but not just that - it's what he teaches. He tells us about love and joy and understanding and respect and laughter. And he sees every person as a person; not some one who might look different or act different or sound different, but as a human being worthy of respect. This book makes you want to go out into the world and change it, starting by hosting a dance party with lots of corndogs. ;) If anyone wants a pep talk, here's the place to go. Wanna change the world? You can start right here.
January 7, 2018
This kid is so inspiring and his guide to being awesome includes ideas that can be adapted for all ages. I loved hearing about all the awesome work going on with different folks, ordinary people like me and celebrities as well. This is a great book to accompany the You Tube videos, created by Robby and his brother-in-law Brad. I am reminded about all that I am thankful for and excited to try these awesome activities with my community (future library programming :)) Hope to meet KP someday and share a corndog with him!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews