President Squid
Written by Aaron Reynolds
Illustrated by Sara Varon
Chronicle Books    3/01/2016
978-1-4521-3647-9
44 pages       Ages 5—8

“President Squid hilariously explores the ideal qualities of a President. Squid knows he’s perfect for the job because he lives in a big house, does all the talking, bosses people around, and wears a tie. That’s all there is to is, right?” [press release]

Review
Today is March 1st; Super Tuesday. One of the biggest days for the presidential hopefuls. Today is also the perfect day to announce the candidacy of one more wannabe-president. Meet Squid.

Now Squid believes there are five traits needed to be a president. Furthermore, Squid believes he possesses those traits. First, presidents must wear ties—or a bowtie—and Squid has a nice red and white spotted bowtie. Very handsome. Two, the president has the biggest house. Squid lives in the sunken Titanic. In the ocean, what could be bigger?

Squid continues expounding the reasons why he is the president of the ocean. Then, once he decides he is perfect for the job, Squid expects the applause.

“ALL HAIL PRESIDENT SQUID! There is no hailing going on. What’s the problem, people?”

As all the fish swim away, Squid turns to a sardine, half inside a clam, and asks why he is not hailing him. The clam states the obvious; he’s stuck in a clam. Squid tries to get the clam to let go, but, as the sardine translates, it becomes clear the clam could care less whether or not Squid is president. Finally, Squid pries open the clam, freeing the sardine,

“You did it, sir! You helped me. Helping people . . . that’s VERY presidential.”

With his usual sly wit (see Carnivores reviewed here), Reynolds takes on the presidential elections and those trying to be king, er, president. The very pink Squid possesses serious intent. He seriously wants to be president and he seriously does not want to be a working president.

Varon’s bright pink squid is a bit unconventional, but few young children will notice. He wears a stars and stripes top hat. The ink and brush (Photoshop colored), illustrations enhance Reynold’s story with additional humor, thanks to sea creatures’ expressive eyes.

President Squid is perfect for these president-electing years. President Squid makes fun of those seeking to be president in a kid-friendly manner. While President Squid is not a real primer on the presidency, it can get kids wondering what really does make a good president.

PRESIDENT SQUID. Text copyright © 2016 by Aaron Reynolds. Illustrations copyright © 2016 by Sara Varon. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Chronicle Books, San Francisco, CA.

Amazon—Book Depository—Indie Books—Apple iBooks—Chronicle Books.

Find President Squid on Goodreads HERE.

Aaron Reynolds:  http://www.aaron-reynolds.com/
Follow on Twitter         @areynoldsbooks

Sara Varon:  http://chickenopolis.com/
Follow on Twitter        @saravaron1

Chronicle Books:  http://www.chroniclebooks.com/
Follow on Twitter         @ChronicleBooks

PRESIDENT SQUID. Illustrations © 2016 by Sara Varon. Used by permission of Chronicle Books.

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Copyright © 2016 by Sue Morris/Kid Lit Reviews. All Rights Reserved

Full Disclosure: President Squid by Aaron Reynolds & Sara Varon, and received from Chronicle Books, is in exchange NOT for a positive review, but for an HONEST review. The opinions expressed are my own and no one else’s. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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