A unique way to celebrate the holiday

From George Washington to Joe Biden, there’s a presidential atmosphere in a wide array of books available for reading at the Saugus Public Library

By Mark E. Vogler

It’s that time of year when Abraham Lincoln and George Washington are competing for the most attention at the Saugus Public Library. Blank coloring pages of Washington and Lincoln sit on a round table in the Children’s Library area with dishes of crayons, waiting for kids to be creative and learn about two national heroes among 46 presidents who have served the nation. Lincoln seems to have the edge, as his spirit is captured in a 6-foot-4-inches tall wall poster that has him dressed up with his top hat. Zoe Buchtel, a local college art major, created the poster several years ago for the library. Then there’s dozens of books – written for young kids and old alike –displayed on shelves about all the men who lived in the White House.

The library will be closed Monday (Feb. 19) in observance of Presidents’ Day, a holiday in the United States celebrated on the third Monday of February to honor all persons who served in the office of president of the United States.

But it seems that a large number of grade school students, at the behest of their teachers, have been preparing for special reading projects over the winter vacation that begins after Presidents’ Day. “Over the last two weeks, I noticed that kids have been coming in more than usual for the presidents’ books,” said Amy Melton, Head of Children’s Services at the library.

“They were wanting presidents they were familiar with. They just didn’t want William Howard Taft,” Melton said.

Melton noted that those students who take the time to pull out an interesting book to read over the winter break can learn some neat little things about various presidents. For instance, after leafing through two books about Lincoln that targeted younger readers – “Looking at Lincoln” by Maira Kalman and “Abe Lincoln’s Hat by Martha Brenner – Melton said she learned a few new details. For instance, he stood 6-foot-4-inches, but was actually 7 feet tall when he wore his top hat.

Another interesting tidbit: Lincoln only went to school for one year, but he taught himself many things. He was curious. His stepmother said he didn’t like to do chores, but he loved to read, according to Melton.

“We’re blessed to have these wonderful resources,” Melton said.

“I think families would get a kick out of some of these stories about important people in our nation’s history. These are highly readable books and a lot of fun. Certainly, they’ll generate a lot of talk and start some conversations,” she said.

Then there’s a book called “Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What The Neighbors Thought),” by Kathleen Krull, which includes some presidential portraits and lends a controversial, but lighter side to presidential trivia.

For kids who didn’t get a chance to take out from the library by tomorrow (Saturday, Feb. 17), there’s always time next week during the winter school break, according to Melton.