15 Best Books About Presidents For Kids

Some books about presidents for kids really helped my son understand history without it feeling like school.

We’ve tried lots, but these stood out because they held his interest and gave him a good sense of the people behind the presidency.

The list covers different ages and reading styles, and we used them as part of our homeschool routine to get him thinking about history in a real way.

Collage of children's books about U.S. presidents, including titles like The Presidents Visual Encyclopedia, Our Country’s Presidents, Weird But True! U.S. Presidents, I Am Abraham Lincoln, Kid Presidents, and more, designed to teach kids about American history in a fun, visual way.

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Top Children’s Books About U.S. Presidents

Learning about U.S. presidents can be engaging and accessible with the right books.

This list includes titles that held my son’s interest while giving clear facts about the presidents, from George Washington through today’s leaders.

They explain what presidents do and how they’ve shaped the country, blending history with stories that are easy to follow. These books make it easier for kids to connect with the people behind the office.

The Presidents Visual Encyclopedia

This book became a go-to for us when my son wanted an overview of all the presidents. It’s packed with photos and drawings that bring the history to life, which helped him connect facts to real people. The updated edition covers all 46 presidents, including Joe Biden, so it stays current. It’s a solid reference for kids who want detailed info without it feeling dry. We paired it with our If I Were President worksheet to encourage kids to think about leadership!

Our Country’s Presidents: A Complete Encyclopedia of the U.S. Presidency

We used this encyclopedia to dig deeper into each president’s background and career. It balances facts with stories about their achievements and controversies, which kept it interesting. The 2020 edition was useful for understanding recent history, including the election and transition. It worked well as a companion for older kids who like more detail without being overwhelmed.

Weird But True Know-It-All: U.S. Presidents

This was one of the first books my son picked up on his own because of the quirky facts. It covers everything from presidential pets to strange hobbies, making history fun and approachable. It’s lighthearted enough for reluctant readers but still educational. We often used it alongside free patriotic printables to add variety to our learning.

The Everything Kids’ Presidents Book

This one stood out because it’s interactive, filled with puzzles and games that made learning about presidents feel like play. It covers all 45 presidents with trivia and activities, which helped keep my son engaged. The mix of facts and challenges made it a useful tool for review after we read more traditional biographies.

Test your knowledge with our free President's matching game.

Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library by Barb Rosenstock

We loved this book for its focus on Jefferson’s love of books and how that led to the Library of Congress. The illustrations are beautiful and the story shows a different side of a president, his passion for learning. It worked well for sparking conversations about why reading matters, beyond just history.

Worst of Friends: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and the True Story of an American Feud by Suzanne Tripp Jurmain

This book gave us a fascinating look at the complicated friendship between Jefferson and Adams. It’s more than just politics, it’s about real people with disagreements and eventual reconciliation. It helped my son understand early American history through their story, making it less abstract and more relatable. We also used the free Thomas Jefferson coloring pages to add a hands-on element.

Grover Cleveland, Again!: A Treasury of American Presidents by Ken Burns

This collection of poems is a refreshing change from typical history books. The witty verses and bright illustrations made learning about presidents entertaining. My son enjoyed the humor, which helped him remember facts better. It’s a good choice if you want to mix literature and history in your homeschool.

The Camping Trip that Changed America: Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir, and Our National Parks by Barb Rosenstock

We found this book captivating for its story of Roosevelt and Muir’s camping trip that led to the National Park Service. The watercolor illustrations are lovely and kept my son engaged. It’s a great pick for kids who enjoy nature and history combined, and it sparked some outdoor adventures of our own.

Kid Presidents: True Tales of Childhood from America’s Presidents by David Stabler

This collection stood out because it focuses on the presidents as kids, showing how their early experiences shaped them. My son connected with these stories, which made history feel more personal and less like names and dates. This is one of the best President books for kindergarten.

If I Ran For President by Catherine Stier

This imaginative book got my son thinking about what it takes to be president. The vibrant illustrations and playful approach made it easy for him to consider important issues in his own way. We paired it with our related President's Day writing prompts to encourage him to put those ideas on paper.

I am Abraham Lincoln by Brad Meltzer

This book gives a close, first-person look at Lincoln’s life that really drew my son in. It covers his childhood and rise to the presidency in a way that feels personal, not just historical facts. The illustrations add to the experience, making it one of our must-reads for understanding Lincoln’s story. We used it alongside some free Abraham Lincoln worksheets for extra learning.

Who Was Franklin Roosevelt? by Margaret Frith

This biography breaks down FDR’s life and leadership during tough times like World War II in a way that’s easy for kids to follow. My son appreciated the clear style and the way it connected historical events to a person he could relate to. The free Franklin D Roosevelt coloring pages helped reinforce what we read.

My Little Golden Book About George Washington by Lori Haskins Houran

This charming book walks through Washington’s life with colorful pictures that kept my son’s attention. It’s simple but effective for introducing young readers to one of America’s key figures. We paired it with free George Washington worksheets, which made the history feel more hands-on.

Andrew Jackson: The Making of America by Teri Kanefield

This biography offers a detailed look at Andrew Jackson’s life and impact, giving a more complex picture than typical kids’ books. It’s good for older kids ready to handle the nuances of history. My son found it interesting, especially the parts about Jackson’s military career and presidency.

Thomas Jefferson: President and Philosopher by Jon Meacham

This book dives into Jefferson’s life beyond politics, covering his education and philosophical contributions. It’s more advanced, so best for kids interested in deeper history or literature. We found it valuable for adding context to Jefferson’s role as a thinker and leader.

Boy reading Ben Franklin's in my bathroom book

Ben Franklin’s in My Bathroom! by Candace Fleming

Though Franklin wasn’t a president, this book brought his story to life in a fun, approachable way for my son. The humor and anecdotes made it easy to enjoy, and it worked well for read-aloud time. We paired it with free Benjamin Franklin coloring pages to accompany the reading!

Last Updated on 8 April 2025 by Clare Brown

Top Children’s Books About U.S. Presidents

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