Where Is the White House?

Where is/are...?

by Megan Stine, Who HQ, David Groff (Illustrator)

Learn about the White House, how it came to be, the changes it has experienced since its initial design, and more in this detailed history for young readers, part of the beloved Where Is? series. The perfect way to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary!

The history of the White House, first completed in 1799, reflects the history of America itself. It was the dream of George Washington to have an elegant "presidential mansion" in the capital city that was named after him. Yet he is the only US president who never got to live there! All the others have made their mark on the house at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. In this detailed account of the nation’s most well-known residence, young historians will get an intriguing glimpse into the White House’s initial construction, the renovations it has undergone, the capital city of Washington, D.C., and the lives of the First Families who have called this landmark building “home.”.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Childrens, Juvenile, Geography, Biography, American History

112 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 5, 2015

About the author

Megan Stine is an American author and editor known for writing more than 100 books for young readers. Her work includes teen etiquette, tie-in fiction, and bestselling Mary-Kate and Ashley titles. She has also developed television projects and works as a portrait and fine art photographer for Real U Guides.

Reviews

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

So the current president was recently quoted calling this magnificent building "a dump." It is too bad that he can not appreciate it. Perhaps he needs to read the engraving in the mantel in the State Dining Room as quoted by John Adams:
" I pray to Heaven to bestow the best of Blessings on this house and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise Men ever rule under this roof."

[Tracy The Great · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it was a good book because it has a lot of good information about the white house and all of the president that lived in the white house and what they had for pets!

[Chelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely one of the best books of this series that I’ve read! I loved the wide array of information that it gave.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where Is the White House? by Megan Stine is from the "Where Is..." series and provides historical information about the building of the White House and Washington DC. George Washington was directly involved in the design and location selection for the United States capitol city. The selection criteria was to not be located in any one state or existing city as that may be taken as favoritism. So land was carved out from two states to create an independent Federal zone that would eventually include all major government offices and buildings including the White House. The author provides details of the need for such a location and the process for site selection and design work. Because of the timing to complete the building, George Washington is the only US President who did not live at the White House as it was finished after he left office. John Adams, the second president, was the first occupant. The author shares many of the well known as well as mostly unknown facts and stories about the White House.

[Yuuki Nakashima · Rating 5 out of 5]

The facts and episodes related to the White House in this book might be well-known in the states, but at least for me, most of things were new and so interesting. There were a lot of intriguing trivia that I wanna tell people around me!

[Paislee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book because it taught me about all the rooms and even the great parties at the White House. Also, there are 6 floors. It also taught me a lot about the presidents

[Jocelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where is the White House? is a great book to learn about the history of the most famous house in the world. Her are ten facts I learned from reading this book.

(1). George Washington is the only President who never lived in the White House.
(2). Slaves that were "rented" from their owners built the White House.
(3). When the White House was built it wasn't actually white!
(4). When the White House was fourteen years old the British and the Americans went to war. British came and burnt the White House. The whole building had to be rebuilt.
(5). When Abraham Lincoln Lived with his wife and children in the White House his wife bought a mahogany bed. It is called Lincoln's bed even though he never slept in it.
(6).The East Room is the largest room in the White House.
(7). The White House has its own movie theater, swimming pool, and bowling alley.
(8).Only one President ever was married in the White House Grover Cleveland.
(9). Seventeen Weddings have been held in the White House.
(10). Teddy Roosevelt used to have people fight him in the East hall.

This is a very educational book about the history of the most famous House in America.
-Jocelyn Kuntz

[Natalie Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty interesting book! Has some fun facts I never knew! There is a nice map at the end that folds out which is fun to look at.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

THis was a great book

[Kassie R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this out-loud to my kids and learned a lot in the process! I was surprised by a lot of things in this book.

[Brielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love all the facts about the White House

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This very informative juvenile nonfiction book was so full of information about the White House, its former residents, and lots of interesting stories. I'll list some of the things Ive learned. George Washington surveyed the land for the future WHITE HOUSE, but he's the only president that hasn't lived in it. James Hoban, an Irish immigrant, designed the building, but it was mainly built by slaves and free blacks. John Adams got lost IN THE WOODS moving into the White House. Pierre L'Enfant is highly regarded for his intricate, formal designing of Washington D. C., yet he was dismissed. L'Enfant obstinately defiled the city commission and removed an influential DC resident so he could replace the area with an avenue. First lady Sarah Polk fired all her paid servants and used only slaves in the White House to save money. Madison was the first president to serve ice cream to his guests. Paul Jennings, the most famous White House slave, started at age 10 AND WORKED until his master, PRESIDENT James Madison died-- Madison's will granted Paul his freedom! President Teddy Roosevelt was the first to name his residence as the 'White House', and Roosevelt added the East & West wings to the White House. Andrew Jackson had a big party for the public, and the crowd became too rowdy. Jackson escaped from the party by crawling out a window! President Benjamin Harrison had electric lights, but he was afraid to switch them on. The public did not like First Lady, Mary Todd Lincoln, with her excessive spending during the Civil War--when our all the soldiers didn't have blankets. There are six floors in the White House-including the basements. The East room is the largest room in the White House. A grand piano crashed through the ceiling during President Ford's term. Ford's daughter held her school prom in the East room. The White House has 132 rooms including 35 bathrooms, 28 fireplaces & 3 elevators. The Presidential desk is a very intesting story--too long to tell, but one interesting fact, President Kennedy's 2 year old son loved to play in it and open the front door & play "Peek-a-Boo" with Daddy. The Oval Office is located in the West Wing. It has 4 doors--two of them are secret doors. So many other cool facts & stories in this little book.










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[Rosaly Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I had to rate this book I would rate it a 5 because so basecly Jorge Washington in 1792 saw this land that was empty it did have cows and sheep and bunch of animals he taught that he can make a house he got a hammer gort a nail and put the first nail into the ground gorage Washington was making that house and before the house was made he diead a year before the house was finished john Adams was the first won to move into that house in November 1800 his wife was named Abigail was soposto live with him for two weeks but but she couldn't find the house the new roads teading into the citty weren't marked It was still a wilderness They made a rong turn and got lost In fact the woods surading the new capital were so thick Abigails carage couldn't get through The coach mam had to chop of branches from the trees as the road along Abigail finally got to the white house Also the next president was Thomas Jefferson Thomas added two wings to the white house won on the east side and won on the west side these wings had romms so they can work and then after 8 years Jefferson left the white house in 1809by then the citty of Washington started to grow Pennsylvania avenue ran right past the presedents house the next presendent was James Madison and his wife dolly were famous for throwing parties dolly took charge of decorating the white house America and England were at war they came to take the capital citty and bern the white house they burned the white house it was burning for hours and hours after the fie the white house was re built pretty much the as it have been before In 1861 Aberham Lincoln with his wife and kids moved to the white house I would recommend this book because it teaches you some history and its legit I think I would recommend this book is to somwon who wants to know some history this book change me because know I really wonder how it was in those days and to think before doing something

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1970 congress decides to build a new capital city on the Potomac river. 2 years later George Washington marks the spot where he wants the white house. In 1800 John Adams is the first president to live in the white house. 14 years later British forces burn the white house down in war. Mary Lincoln spends 20,000 dollars redecorating the white house in 1861. 2 years later Abraham Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan 1st in the white house. 2 more years after that Lincoln is shot and body is brought to the white house. In 1891 electricity is added to the white house while Benjamin Franklin is in House. In the same year Theodore Roosevelt makes the "White house" the Official name.1948 The white House is gutted and improved. A balcony is added, called the Truman Balcony

I really liked this book. It gave a lot of info on the white house. It is one of my favorite books in the series. The things I liked about this book is that it gave a lot of info. I didn't have any dislikes on the book. I would recommend this book to a person who like history.
'

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The revised edition, released in March 2026, was a disappointment. The book does an excellent job describing the White House itself—its architecture, history, renovations, and evolution over time. Those sections are engaging and informative.

Unfortunately, the book’s treatment of the presidents who lived there feels incomplete and politically selective. While highlighting the accomplishments of certain presidents, it largely overlooks the contributions of others, creating an imbalanced narrative. A book about the White House should acknowledge the impact of all presidents who shaped it, regardless of political party.

As a result, what could have been a fascinating and comprehensive history of America’s most famous residence ends up feeling more like a curated political narrative. The building’s story is told well; the story of the people who occupied it is not.

[Leah Hartzell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this with my son Edison.

Kids book review: The book was great! We read it in one setting. The book had really interesting facts for kids and myself. There were a lot of key facts that stood out in my son’s head that he mentioned during days after.

I really like the books in this series.

[Yuki · Rating 4 out of 5]

The White House - the beautiful building is the presence in broadcast for me who live in Japan, where is shown with presidents. I learned about it many interesting things, and the series from WHO HQ always gives me a lot of pleasure and knowledge except learning English.

[Ivan Clavel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book explains the origins of the white house perfectly. I love nonfiction books and the "Where is" series is my most favorite series ever. All of the books in this series have perfect examples of origins of everything.

[Karthika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could have given more information and be less narrative about the geography of the rooms.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

These who is, who was, where is, etc books, published by WhoHQ, are fabulous reads and are so informative in a gentle way.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

it have many introduction to the White House, the book is very good=))

[Rainbow Bay Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 min book review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBikR...

[Emmeline Homer |meet me at midnight| aka bookwormpanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damn, Teddy Rosevelt was crazy.

[Erica Flory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot

[Cathy Boris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative

[Hailey Vittrup · Rating 4 out of 5]

Politically biased? Most definitely. But… this is a pretty thorough and interesting account of the history of what might be considered to be the most famous residence in the United States.

[Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book because it was teaching me about the White House.

[Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as part of my continuing preparation for the third grade reading project I am involved with - to better know and understand books for 8 & 9 year olds and to help me decide if I will recommend them.

Well this is really a good book - if does more than "where" - it explains many things such as the founding and events that happened there - many of which I was not aware of.

It is an easy read, I think, at grade level or even a bit below and good for those a bit stronger.

Our children get to choose books against a budget and this book is a good choice for that program and I do evaluate the books I feel that there are a lot of words per dollar. The children are given a budget to work from.

So if one has children about that age it is good book as are many of the others in the Who/What/Where is series.

[Alexandre Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was very good because it told me the history of Washington, D.C and the White house.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this short book about the White House aloud to the kids.