If You Want a Friend in Washington: Wacky, Wild & Wonderful Presidential Pets

by Erin McGill

A clever, funny, and informative look at the pets--from Calvin Coolidge's wallaby to Teddy Roosevelt's flying squirrels--that have passed through the White House gates. Perfect for fans of I Am George Washington and So You Want to Be President? President Truman famously said, "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog." And a dog is what many presidents got. From James Garfield to Calvin Coolidge to Richard Nixon, presidents often found a friend in Fido (in fact, Abe Lincoln's pup was actually named Fido). Others preferred cats, horses, small critters, or even big, ferocious animals like bears and alligators. With a catchy refrain ("If you want a friend in Washington . . . , "), this is a funny, educational book about the animals that have passed through the White House. Whether it's favorite dogs like Barbara Bush's Millie or the Obamas' Bo; Abraham Lincoln's cat, Dixie; Calvin Coolidge's hippo, Billy; or Andrew Jackson's foul-mouthed parrot, Poll, Erin McGill brings to life a menagerie of presidential pets in this entertaining, whimsical, and carefully researched picture book that's perfect for animal lovers and history buffs alike.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Animals, History, Childrens, Politics, Presidents

44 pages, Hardcover

Published July 7, 2020

Reviews

[Marathon County Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Explore a wackier side of life in the White House in this fun and entertaining book about presidential pets!

The President of the United States has a lot of responsibility and has to make hard decisions. Citizens and fellow politicians might agree, or disagree with these decisions, making friends hard to come by. Many presidents hoped for a reliable friend, and some of the most reliable friends are not human! President Harry Truman once said, "if you want a friend in Washington, get a dog." And a dog is what many presidents got. Dogs are by far the most popular pet of the presidents. I thought the best part of this book was learning about the names of the pets. Some of my favorite dog names were Veto Garfield, Rollo Roosevelt, Calamity Jane Coolidge, and King Tut Hoover.

Besides dogs, there were other common pets that lived in the White House. Many presidents had cats (my favorite names include Tom Kitten Kennedy and Puffins and Mittens Wilson), birds (my favorite names were Loretta Roosevelt and Washington Post McKinley) and horses (Macaroni Kennedy was my favorite horse name). After the common house pets, a variety of farm animals that lived at the White House are explored - my favorite name was a donkey named Ebenezer Coolidge.

If you think farm animals in Washington DC is bizarre, just wait! Some presidents had alligators, flying squirrels, silkworms, elephants, bears, and even a wallaby. There was even a pair of lions named Tax Reduction and Budget Bureau Coolidge. I have a new appreciation for Calvin Coolidge after reading this book - his pets had the best names in my opinion! Some of the wackier animal stories are included and were a joy to read. 

I had no idea about the history of pets at the White House. At the end of the book, all of the presidents and their pets are listed. It's a fun and unique way to look at our presidents through something relatable - furry friends that we all love! Recommended for families to read together or any child interested in pets or U.S. Presidents.

Taylor W. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this picture book, and I suspect kids will, too. The author uses the famous Truman quote (which he may or may not have actually said) as a refrain. Instead of covering presidential pets chronologically, it organizes them by type of animal (dogs, cats, large animals, farm animals, etc.) You won't learn a lot about the presidents themselves, but it does offer fun, kid-friendly tidbits about presidential pets through the centuries.

[Katie Reilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Organized by type of pet (instead of by presidents), this nonfiction picture book is full of interesting tidbits about the wacky, wild, wonderful animals that have belonged to our country’s leaders. End pages have photos of past presidents and their pets, and the back matter lists each former president, his pet, and a fun fact. Highly recommend!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really cute, informative, and fun! Definitely recommend for kids in the U.S. who are interested in animals!

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want a friend in Washington: Wacky, wild & wonderful presidential pets by Erin McGill. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Schwartz & Wade (Penguin), July 2020. 9780593122693

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

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

McGill takes us on a quick trip through the variety of animals that have graced the halls of the presidential home.

I love that she looks at the animals by type – not by president. It makes for a well-organized, quick, fun read.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on the famous quote from President Truman, this nonfiction picture book explores the many different pets that presidents have had over the years. The book begins with dogs and cats, though some cats were of the more exotic type like tiger cubs! Horses were also popular, but barnyard pets didn’t stop there with some presidents having goats, sheep, roosters and cows, including Miss Wayne who grazed on the White House lawn and had her milk stolen. The pets just kept getting larger though with bear cubs, elephants, hippos, a wallaby and alligators! Some presidents had birds, though Jackson’s parrot swore a lot. Some had quite small pets like guinea pigs or even silkworms. Almost all presidents had some sort of pet, though Jackson found his friendly mice waiting for him while he faced impeachment.

Fast-paced and funny, this picture book is a wry look at presidential pets. The book first groups types of pets together then offers interesting anecdotes about a few of the pets in that grouping. Readers get the tales of Lincoln’s, FDR’s, George H.W. Bush’s, Obama’s and Truman’s dogs, for example. The stories throughout the book celebrate the president’s connection to these animals and how they found solace in their time together.

The art is marvelously silly, using cut paper drawings against pops of color or line drawings on white backgrounds. The spread of all of the dogs alone is an impressive two pages of quite small pooches, each labeled with their name. The illustrations have a peppy merriness to them that invites readers in and sets a jolly tone.

Humorous and historical, this glimpse of president’s best friend is a treat. Appropriate for ages 6-9.

[Kristi Starr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute and well-researched book about the presidents' pets and animals gifted to them. Not all actually lived in the White House (President Washington never lived there; some pets, like the Lincolns' Fido, were never brought to Washington; some animals were sent to zoos, like Van Buren's tiger cubs and Coolidge's pygmy hippo). As many names of pets are included as are known, and a smattering of anecdotes of some animals are included. Some of the names are delightful and humorous, such as Benjamin Harrison's possums Mr. Reciprocity and Mr. Protection, Coolidge's lion cubs Tax Reduction and Budget Bureau, and LBJ's beagles Him and Her. Only Presidents Polk, Andrew Johnson, and Trump didn't have pets - and we know how two of those presidencies ended.

Most images are illustrations, but photos are included inside the front and back covers (at least in the hardcover edition). Animals are initially grouped by type - dogs, cats, horses, farm animals, more exotic animals, birds, and "quieter, smaller" animals like silkworms, rabbits, possums, flying squirrels, racoons, and more. A chronological list of presidents and their pets is also provided.

Overall, a cute book that many children will enjoy and animal enthusiasts will visit over and over again.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is politics getting you down? Share this picture book about the presidents and their pets with a child or better yet numerous children. Funny and informative, it is a delight to read. It is aimed primarily at school-age children, but why let kids have all the fun. As a retired librarian and avid reader, I am including this book as one of my favorite children's books for 2021. Note: The end pages have wonderful photos of presidential pets, some with Presidents or First Ladies, set in whimsical frames.

[Mary Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and got a copy for my nieces and nephews - it's clever and fun, the illustrations are adorable, and it's full of interesting facts that the kids love. (Who wouldn't want a pet flying squirrel?) The book is cleverly organized by types of animals (big ones, small ones, exotic, etc.) which makes it fun, and the illustrations include little surprises, so there's something new to notice every time you read it. It's a great way to share history and make it fun!

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love nonfiction and usually like it to have photographs if possible. It gets 4-5 stars if I learn something new, pour over the art, and read aloud fact tidbits to family members. :)
The hand drawn illustrations in this are appealing and fun. The endpages have 17 framed b/w photographs of White House pets. Final four pages list more about presidents and their pets.
I always seem to have 2-3 kids who read every president book I have so this will make for a fun addition.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun nonfiction book for kids. This book is all about the pets that have lived in the White House with Presidents throughout the years. The range is interesting and there are fun tidbits and stories shared throughout. For a kid who loves pets I can't think of a better way to make the presidents more personable or assessible.

[A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The predictable and surprising pets of politicians. Would pair well with Who Named Their Pony Macaroni?: Poems About White House Pets.

[Holly Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun book about presidents and their pets! Kids would love to pour over all the illustrations of the various pets that lived in the White House. Loved the actual photographs on the endpages. Interesting the presidents who DIDN'T have pets...only three - James K. Polk, Andrew Johnson, and Donald Trump.

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Casssh me in that childrens section… ok but after comparing to the lists of breeds at the end of the book, these are honestly the worst dog drawings I have ever seen. And then I think, oh you know but they did so much research on presidents’ pets… but the endnotes tell us the museum where all the info was from. Only giving not-one star because dogs.

[Lisa Yee Swope · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have three guinea pigs ("the squiggs") and so I'm always pleased to find their kindred in kidlit! Evidently Teddy Roosevelt had 5 guinea pigs, which he named after people he admired. A delightful look into the household side of the White House over the course of 45 presidents.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute book about all of the different types of pets held by the various presidents, over the years. Teddy Roosevelt had the most (by number and variety). Can you name the two presidents who had none?

Read this book to learn more!

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was so fun and well done. I can imagine some children poring over the pages of animals to look at each dog, each horse, each bird, and each guinea pig and alligator. Lots of fun facts, charming illustrations, and a full list of presidential pets at the end.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining book all about presidential pets. Would be a great book for a K-5 school age program.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

“If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.” Harry S. Truman?

All the different pets that have lived in (or near) the White House with the presidential families.

[Ashley Ewert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tells about all the pets that have been owned by the Presidents of the United States. Hand drawn illustrations. Very factual

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfect for readers of every age! A fascinating look at the pets of the presidents and their families. A must-have for every library and a great gift for animal lovers!

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was quite interesting reading about all the pets different presidents had. I enjoyed the illustrations and the "story" of some of the pets.

[Franki Sibberson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the transitions as a mentor for writers of informational text.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

An elementary level picture book about the groups or types of pets presidents have had over the years like many had horses or cats and a few fun facts.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Presidential pets is one of my favorite topics to booktalk during class visits!

[Schuth22 · Rating 4 out of 5]

the racoon drawings were stellar

[Nessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a un picture book about our presidents and their animals/pets!

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

My grandson enjoyed this.

[Audrey Pollard · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want a friend in Washington get a dog says president Truman, so this books goes through all the animals and pets of the former presidents in the White House.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars -- Enjoyable and enlightening picture book featuring the Presidential pets. Most Presidents have brought animals with them to the White House--dogs and cats are common, but did you know there were also farm animals and wildlife such as bald eagles and alligators who found a home with the First Family? This quirky book will be enthusiastically embraced in elementary school classrooms.

ETA: I forgot to add that the illustrated spreads of the various pets also included "gamecocks," which is the word typically used for roosters kept for fighting. (This is not explained in the text.) I would respond that animals kept to fight to the death for the entertainment of their owners are not "pets" but rather abuse victims.