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Who Did It First?

Mayor Pete: The Story of Pete Buttigieg

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Get to know Mayor Pete Buttigieg, a first-of-his-kind candidate running for a one-of-a-kind office, in Rob Sanders' inspiring picture book biography, featuring illustrations by Levi Hastings.

When Pete Buttigieg announced he was running for president, he became the first openly gay candidate to run for the Democratic party's presidential nomination and the first millennial ever to pursue the office. But before the nation knew him as "Mayor Pete," he was a boy growing up in a Rust Belt town, a kid who dreamed of being an astronaut, and a high schooler who wondered about a life of public service. Without a doubt, no one could have imagined who Peter Paul Montgomery Buttigieg, the boy who lived in a two-story house on College Street, would become.


Through victories and defeats, and the changes that the seasons bring, the young boy from South Bend grew into a man devoted to helping others. Mayor Pete: The Story of Pete Buttigieg celebrates the life of an American who dared to be the first and who imagined a better world for everyone.

A Who Did It First? Book

48 pages, Hardcover

Published May 12, 2020

1 person is currently reading
90 people want to read

About the author

Rob Sanders

17 books52 followers
Rob Sanders does not work as a telephone sales rep, a loading dock worker, a trophy engraver, or an editor. But he used to. Rob is not a cowboy, a ballerina, an alien, or a temper-tantrum-throwing toddler. But he writes about them. Rob is a picture book author, a writing teacher, a blogger, and a great uncle. He worked for fifteen years in religious educational publishing as a writer, editor, editorial manager, and product designer. These days he teaches elementary kids about books and words and reading and writing, and writes books for those same kids.

Rob’s first picture book, COWBOY CHRISTMAS, was released by Golden Books/Random House in 2012. OUTER SPACE BEDTIME RACE was released by Random House Children’s Books in January 2015. RUBY ROSE ON HER TOES (the first in a two-book deal with HarperCollins) releases in 2016, and Rob just sold RODZILLA to Justin Chanda at Simon & Schuster.

Rob also coordinates the Rising Kite Writing Contest for SCBWI Florida, organizes meetings for SCBWI Florida members in the Tampa Bay area, and critiques picture book manuscripts for other writers.

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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Andrew.
2,330 reviews71 followers
December 20, 2020
Meet Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
Despite being published as a Juvenile Biography in 2020, it is unfortunately already outdated as the Biography ends with Buttigieg's campaign to run for President.
Despite the cliff-hanger ending and appendix not stating that Pete didn't win, it is a very respectfully written and BEAUTIFULLY illustrated book. Rob Sanders has also written juvenile non-fiction and biographies for LGBTQ culture including Stonewall and about Harvey Milk.
Profile Image for Steven Gellman.
Author 1 book2 followers
December 29, 2020
As a fan of Pete and a collector of children’s books, this surprise under the Christmas tree was an absolute joy to read!
5,870 reviews146 followers
June 2, 2020
Mayor Pete: The Story of Pete Buttigieg is a children's picture book written by Rob Sanders and illustrated by Levi Hastings. This picture book biography tells the story of Pete Buttigieg, the first openly gay man to run for the Democratic Presidential Nomination and the first millennial ever to enter the race.

June, at least in my part of the world is LGBTQ Pride Month, which I plan to read one children's book, particularly a biography, which pertains to the subject everyday this month. Therefore, I thought that this book would be apropos for today.

Peter Paul Montgomery Buttigieg is an American politician and Afghanistan War veteran. He served as the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, from 2012–2020 and was a candidate for the Democratic nomination in the 2020 United States presidential election.

Sanders' text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. It is a brief biography about the political and somewhat private life of Pete Buttigieg. Backmatter gives a short biography of his political life and how he became the first millennial, candidate who is married to a partner of the same gender, and veteran of the Afghanistan war to run for U.S. President. Hastings' illustrations are a tad too simplistic, but depicts the text rather well and is apropos for the target audience.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Buttigieg's political life is pithily sorted into wins and losses from a failed bid for high school treasurer to his candidacy for the Democratic Presidential Nomination. Given the timing of the book's publication, the 2020 U.S. presidential candidate's most recent political foray is not included in detail, but Sanders closes on a hopeful, open-ended note.

All in all, Mayor Pete: The Story of Pete Buttigieg is an accessible and an informative children picture book of the political life of Pete Buttigieg – the Mayor of South Bend, Indiana who ran for President of the United States.
Profile Image for Margaret.
2,800 reviews
Read
July 17, 2020
Anyone who follows multiple news sources and reads a variety of fact-based publications, realizes for a variety of reasons these United States of America are in troubled times, facing difficulties never collectively experienced previously. We are at a crossroads. We have the potential to make significant changes for the good of many. We have an opportunity to move forward, righting the wrongs of generations.

During this election year, November 2020, we have watched as political campaigns have unfolded before and after the worldwide pandemic. One individual stood apart from the other people in his party. He was the

first openly gay candidate to run for the Democratic Party

as President of the United States. Mayor Pete: The Story Of Pete Buttigieg (A Who Did It First? Book) (Henry Holt And Company, July 21, 2020) written by Rob Sanders with illustrations by Levi Hastings chronicles from birth to presidential hopeful the life of this remarkable human being.


My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
37 reviews1 follower
July 17, 2020
Rob Sanders introduces young readers to the first openly gay candidate and the first millennial to run for US president in this biography which highlights Pete Buttigieg's determination and grace in the face of mounting obstacles throughout his life. Throughout the book the author shows us how Mayor Pete has followed the wisdom found on the gates of Harvard, his alma mater, " Depart to serve better thy country and thy kind," always devoted to public service. Pete's perseverance in the face of numerous defeats during his life showcase his grit as he overcomes barriers, including his coming out to his constituents before his reelection as mayor. Without preaching, Sanders succinctly points out that "There were challenges and victories. Wins and losses" and through it all, Mayor Pete carries on serving others. Important lessons for all of us, young and old, to learn. All elementary students, and young gay children, in particular, who have not had literature that reflects their identities, will find in Mayor Pete a role model to look up to.
Profile Image for Kathy.
20 reviews1 follower
November 27, 2021

Mayor Pete, the Story of Pete Buttigieg by Rob Sanders is a wonderfully written biography about Pete Buttigieg from childhood up to his running for Presidency in 2020 while bring the Mayor of South Bend, Indiana. What I liked most about this story was the losses and wins he had gone through, to get to where he is. It is a great way to talk with elementary students about perseverance. The story also talks about when Pete Buttigieg was honest about himself and shared with Indiana and the nation that he was gay. The story talks about him falling in love and marrying his partner and all that he has done to support others and stand up for what is right. I found this story while searching for biographies for my school’s book room. It was a read-aloud (by one of his supporters!) I would definitely recommend this for all elementary ages
Profile Image for QNPoohBear.
3,586 reviews1,562 followers
December 29, 2024
A biography that goes up to Pete's run for president. It mentions his husband, Chasten, but was written before they became parents.

It shows Pete "perfecting" Arabic in the "steaming heat of Tunis" (Muslim representation in illustration). It talks about how, under Mayor Pete's leadership, South Bend became a city with a new outlook, a hometown for innovative industries and a community that welcomed all people- no matter their age, race, gender, religion, culture or sexual orientation.

The book discusses Pete's coming out and how he had to be true to himself. When he met Chasten, "A friendship sprang between the two men. And like Indiana sweet corn, a relationship began to grow."

Extensive backmatter chronicling Pete's political career.

The illustrations are fine. I'm not sure I'd know who this book was about with just the illustrations but they're realistic enough.
1,326 reviews
July 29, 2020
A biography of Mayor Pete. Presented favorably, this also does include losses in Mayor Pete's career. While the book favors the mayor, it does not come across overly positive or with him as the only choice-more of a question of what can he do in the future and how losses have not stopped him from dreaming of doing more. Facts about Mayor Pete are presented matter-of-factly. Additional information is included which will help a child learn more about the political process in the US and about Mayor Pete's life thus far.
Profile Image for Monique Pearson.
Author 3 books43 followers
June 20, 2021
This is an awesome book for kids

So many books about great people written for kids skip the parts that some may disapprove of or parts some parents aren't prepared to have a conversation about. Too many of our LGBT historical greats have that part of their being glossed over. I love how in this it's written in a matter-of-fact way. Kids need to see you can be gay and also be anything else you put your mind to being; even becoming an educated, well spoken, political force fighting for America.
Profile Image for Sobia A Khan.
837 reviews
October 12, 2020
A great introduction into the life of this young man who came out of nowhere to become one of the most talked about potential presidential candidates in the 2020 election.

In the back pages of the book, the author includes the various ways how Pete has already made history, his bio timeline, and selected sources. He also includes a small section on who can be president according to the Constitution.
Profile Image for Rachel.
244 reviews
January 16, 2021
This is such a cute biography about Buttigieg. I genuinely didn't know the information in this book, so that was nice to learn about, all his early interest in politics, to when he came out and fell in love. And the art is super sweet too, very endearing. I know Buttigieg has a whole autobiography written for adults, and this brief, kid-oriented biography just makes me want to learn more about his story. So maybe I'll pick up his book sometime. 😊
Profile Image for Carol Gordon  Ekster.
Author 6 books82 followers
August 6, 2020
This book is so wonderfully written with great illustrations. I love the repeated line, "Only time would tell who Pete Buttigieg would become." I believe all children will see we are not limited by where we grow up, what career we choose, or who we love. This is a terrific and inspirational picture book biography.
Profile Image for Raven Black.
2,840 reviews5 followers
March 24, 2020
Will need to be updated as they end on him being a Presidential Candidate. Otherwise a fun introduction to the man few know about. A hint of classic illustrations with a modern feel to go along with it.
Profile Image for Mahadevan Subramanian.
8 reviews12 followers
August 19, 2020
A sweet tale of a role model

Crisp and sweet tale of a service leader. Kids who need a role model in service, honesty get to know about the man who is dignity and kindness personified.
Profile Image for Jessica.
Author 11 books15 followers
February 24, 2021
I’m a Pete fan and while I was excited for this book, I’m disappointed that it was published so quickly and ends with his presidential run announcement. Rob Sanders’s writing is wonderful - I just hate that it already feels incomplete.
Profile Image for Adam.
614 reviews
December 14, 2020
Simple book spanning Pete's life up to his run for president.
Profile Image for Mrs Heet -Librarian.
756 reviews4 followers
January 10, 2021
A beautifully illustrated and well written biography for kids about Former Mayor Pete “Boot-edge-edge”
Profile Image for Rick Hribko.
329 reviews1 follower
July 4, 2024
A great way to introduce this trailblazer to your community. Also a good book to have on hand for Pride month. Great illustrations too.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews

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