Web Exclusives

Read Gregory Maguire’s expanded Looking In, Looking Out poetic metaphor aloud to young people and discuss it together. Peruse David Macaulay’s preliminary sketches for the cover of Our White House. Savor Nikki Grimes’ thought-provoking poem Staking Claim. Dip in, read, ponder, enjoy! In the weeks and months to come we will continue to add new articles and information of interest, so please check back often.

I Pledge Allegiance: Classroom Kit On Becoming an American Citizen
by Helen Kampion

Presidents Are People Too!
by Heather Lang
The president of the United States holds the highest position in America, but presidents are people too. Discover what you might have in common.

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My! Wild Animals at the White House
by Heather Lang
The White House isn’t just the home of our president and his family. Going all the way back to George Washington, the White House has been the home for many animals too.

Grand Champions of the White House
by Renee’ Critcher Lyons
Christmas tree farmers across America compete to grow the “Grand Champion” to be selected to adorn the White House each holiday season.

Our National Christmas Tree
by Cheli Mennella
Each December the National Christmas Tree is dressed in holiday splendor as a beacon of beauty and brilliance.

Looking In, Looking Out
by Gregory Maguire

Staking Claim
by Nikki Grimes

The Eloquence of ‘Silent Cal’
by Katherine Paterson
A Profile of Vermonter President Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States

Memory of the White House
by Susan Cooper

The Back Story: Creating the Cover
David Macaulay’s Preliminary Sketches

Update and Complete the Our White House:Looking In, Looking Out Presidential Time Line!
Click here for directions on how to download a President-Elect Barack Obama sticker so that young
people can finish the presidential time line in the NCBLA's Our White House book! The time line is also
presidential trivia game that you can play together–we bet your kids do better than you!

The Oval Office: The World’s Most Famous Office
The most famous office in the world was not constructed until over one hundred years after the White House
was first built.
by Geri Zabela Eddins

Stress Relief: Exercise and Relaxation at the White House
It’s not all work at the White House—presidents find time to have fun and relax, too.
by Geri Zabela Eddins

Primary Sources: Dolley Madison’s Letter to Her Sister About the Burning of the White House

Writing Presidential Speeches: An Interview
How are political speeches created? How is writing a speech different from writing a lecture, or a short story? How do you capture an audience's atttention - and then its heart? Thomas LaFauci has written speeches for Speaker of the House Tom Foley, Senator John Kerry, and Senator, and now Vice-President, Joseph Biden, among many others. Recently he responded to questions posed by NCBLA president Mary Brigid Barrett.

Primary Sources: The Letters of John and Abigail Adams, the First White House Correspondence

Presidential Menageries: George Washington, Hound Dogs, and Super Mules
by Mary Brigid Barrett
Ironically, the father of our country had no children of his own, but he was involved in breeding of another nature—that of mules and hounds.

From White House Hostess to American Powerhouse: The Evolution of the First Lady’s Title and Role
by Geri Zabela Eddins
The designated titles assigned to the wives of America’s presidents have changed dramatically over the years. Discover how those titles, and the role of the president’s spouse, have evolved over 200 years!

For Educators: Using Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out
and www.ourwhitehouse.org in the Classroom
by Mary Brigid Barrett

Choosing Sides: The Rise of Party Politics
Both George Washington and John Adams despised the idea of political parties, but our two-party system took root during Washington’s administration anyway.
by Geri Zabela Eddins

Getting the Votes and Getting Elected: The Popular Vote vs. The Electoral College
by Geri Zabela Eddins

A Taste of the Past: White House Kitchens, Menus, and Recipes
by Mary Brigid Barrett
White House kitchens, foods, and menus offer pleasing appetizers to a historical feast!

A Heartbeat Away: The Story of Presidential and Vice Presidential Succession
by Geri Zabela Eddins
Nine vice presidents have ascended to the presidency following a president’s death or resignation. Find out how presidential succession and the vice president’s influence have unfolded since Vice President John Tyler set the precedent for orderly presidential succession.



Copyright © 2008 by Robert Byrd	Read Gregory Maguire’s expanded Looking In, Looking Out poetic metaphor aloud to young people and discuss it together. Peruse David Macaulay’s preliminary sketches for the cover of Our White House. Savor Nikki Grimes’ thought-provoking poem Staking Claim. Dip in, read, ponder, enjoy! In the weeks and months to come we will continue to add new articles and information of interest, so please check back often. I Pledge Allegiance: Classroom Kit On Becoming an American Citizen by Helen Kampion Presidents Are People Too! by Heather Lang The president of the United States holds the highest position in America, but presidents are people too. Discover what you might have in common. Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My! Wild Animals at the White House by Heather Lang The White House isn’t just the home of our president and his family. Going all the way back to George Washington, the White House has been the home for many animals too. Grand Champions of the White House by Renee’ Critcher Lyons Christmas tree farmers across America compete to grow the “Grand Champion” to be selected to adorn the White House each holiday season. Our National Christmas Tree by Cheli Mennella Each December the National Christmas Tree is dressed in holiday splendor as a beacon of beauty and brilliance. Looking In, Looking Out by Gregory Maguire Staking Claim by Nikki Grimes The Eloquence of ‘Silent Cal’ by Katherine Paterson A Profile of Vermonter President Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States Memory of the White House by Susan Cooper The Back Story: Creating the Cover David Macaulay’s Preliminary Sketches Update and Complete the Our White House:Looking In, Looking Out Presidential Time Line! Click here for directions on how to download a President-Elect Barack Obama sticker so that young people can finish the presidential time line in the NCBLA's Our White House book! The time line is also presidential trivia game that you can play together–we bet your kids do better than you! The Oval Office: The World’s Most Famous Office The most famous office in the world was not constructed until over one hundred years after the White House was first built. by Geri Zabela Eddins Stress Relief: Exercise and Relaxation at the White House It’s not all work at the White House—presidents find time to have fun and relax, too. by Geri Zabela Eddins Primary Sources: Dolley Madison’s Letter to Her Sister About the Burning of the White House Writing Presidential Speeches: An Interview How are political speeches created? How is writing a speech different from writing a lecture, or a short story? How do you capture an audience's atttention - and then its heart? Thomas LaFauci has written speeches for Speaker of the House Tom Foley, Senator John Kerry, and Senator, and now Vice-President, Joseph Biden, among many others. Recently he responded to questions posed by NCBLA president Mary Brigid Barrett. Primary Sources: The Letters of John and Abigail Adams, the First White House Correspondence Presidential Menageries: George Washington, Hound Dogs, and Super Mules by Mary Brigid Barrett Ironically, the father of our country had no children of his own, but he was involved in breeding of another nature—that of mules and hounds. From White House Hostess to American Powerhouse: The Evolution of the First Lady’s Title and Role by Geri Zabela Eddins The designated titles assigned to the wives of America’s presidents have changed dramatically over the years. Discover how those titles, and the role of the president’s spouse, have evolved over 200 years! For Educators: Using Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out and www.ourwhitehouse.org in the Classroom by Mary Brigid Barrett Choosing Sides: The Rise of Party Politics Both George Washington and John Adams despised the idea of political parties, but our two-party system took root during Washington’s administration anyway. by Geri Zabela Eddins Getting the Votes and Getting Elected: The Popular Vote vs. The Electoral College by Geri Zabela Eddins A Taste of the Past: White House Kitchens, Menus, and Recipes by Mary Brigid Barrett White House kitchens, foods, and menus offer pleasing appetizers to a historical feast! A Heartbeat Away: The Story of Presidential and Vice Presidential Succession by Geri Zabela Eddins Nine vice presidents have ascended to the presidency following a president’s death or resignation. Find out how presidential succession and the vice president’s influence have unfolded since Vice President John Tyler set the precedent for orderly presidential succession.