Recently, while listening to the “Stuff You Missed In History Class” podcast, I heard an interview that the hosts did with author/filmmaker Bryan Young about his non-fiction children’s book titled A Children’s Illustrated History of Presidential Assassination.
Now, it sounds like an odd topic for a children’s book, but the book’s origin is very interesting. Young was discussing his visit to Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C. with his eight year old daughter Scout, when she asked him, “But why would someone want to kill the president?” Perplexed as how to explain presidential assassinations to his daughter and unable to find appropriate material, or any material palatable for a child, Young decided to do some research and write a book himself. Young explored the history behind all four Presidential assassinations and also dug up the story behind all the attempted assassinations, some of which most people have never even heard about.
LIstening to this podcast was fascinating and I suggest you give it a listen. It was especially adorable to hear Young talk about how his daughter helped collaborate with him on the book. She made some of the illustrations that appear in the book which was heartwarming and also shed light on how this topic can be presented to children as long as it is done in the right way.
Not one library in our system has this book (yet!), but here is a link to the podcast which I’m sure will make you want to pick up a copy for your child!
