CLIP Review: Mr. President Goes to School

by Rick Walton


Ever had "one of those days" with your children? Shouting, snarling, sticks and stones?...
Why don't you curl up together (without touching one another, of course!) and read why "Mr. President was having a crummy day." 


What does he do when his problems pile up and he wishes the world were a little simpler? You'll be delighted at the illustrator's use of disguise for the president. As he sits crisscross applesauce in Mrs. Appletree's class, he's reminded of simpler days where "polite people raise their hands", and "friends can always work things out."  Is it really possible that the hokey pokey can help the prime ministers of Bulrovia and Snortburg come to an understanding?  Sometimes all it takes to solve big problems is a little bit of fun, a bit of creativity, and, of course, some milk and cookies!  

Mary Kline   

Something to think about...
Should we pray for people who upset us; who hurt our feelings? 
What does Jesus say about loving and forgiving others?

Watch a YouTube movie trailer for the book,

Mr. President Goes to School

Recipe: Indian Hoecakes

  Celebrate Presidents' Day by making George Washington's favorite breakfast.                  

George Washington's Indian Hoecakes

1 package of Jiffy corn muffin mix
1 egg
2 Tbsp. shortening, melted
3/4 cup milk

Preheat griddle (we don't recommend a hoe!). Grease lightly. Blend ingredients. Batter will be slightly lumpy. Cook on hot griddle, turning when bubbles appear and edges appear to dry.  Add syrup before eating.

Mary Kline   

Making Hoecakes with "Button". [aka Mary Byrne Kline]
Rachel Faith, Evyn and Tyler Kline

From Mount Vernon's Website:
General Washington's typical breakfast has been described by members of his immediate family and several guests. His step-granddaughter, Nelly Custis Lewis, who was raised at Mount Vernon, wrote "He rose before sunrise, always wrote or read until 7 in summer or half past seven in winter. His breakfast was then ready – he ate three small mush cakes (Indian meal) swimming in butter and honey, and drank three cups of tea without cream."  She described the recipe in a letter as: "The bread business is as follows if you wish to make 2 1/2 quarts of flour up-take at night one quart of flour, five table spoonfuls of yeast & as much lukewarm water as will make it the consistency of pancake batter, mix it in a large stone pot & set it near a warm hearth (or a moderate fire) make it at candlelight & let it remain until the next morning then add the remaining quart & a half by degrees with a spoon when well mixed let it stand 15 or 20 minutes & then bake it – of this dough in the morning, beat up a white & half of the yolk of an egg – add as much lukewarm water as will make it like pancake batter, drop a spoonful at a time on a hoe or griddle (as we say in the south). When done on one side turn the other – the griddle must be rubbed in the first instance with a piece of beef suet or the fat of cold corned beef ..."

CLIP Review: Abe Lincoln's Hat

by Martha Brenner

Abe Lincoln was a smart lawyer. People came to him with all kinds of problems. But he had a big problem himself.  He was not a good paper-keeper and forgot where he put important papers. Then Abe had an idea - his tall hat! Does that sound strange and hard to believe? Well, that is only one of the many interesting and true stories you'll read about this great president.

Mary Kline

CLIP Questions:
Why do you think people trusted Abe Lincoln to be their lawyer?
Draw the outline of a tall hat like Abe Lincoln's. Draw things that
are special to you that you would keep in your hat.

CLIP Review: George Washington's Breakfast

by Jean Fritz



George W. Allen was proud of two things. His name and his birthday. Sharing both the president's name and birthday made him feel almost related.  It also made him curious to learn everything about this great man. Most of his information came easily; Washington's ten hunting dogs and their names, the size of his shoes (13!), how he'd ruined his teeth by cracking walnuts in his mouth.  But all this information wasn't enough for George W. Allen. 


One question burned in his mind - what did George Washington eat for breakfast? His grandmother agrees to cook it for him if he is successful in his search.  George rallies his family in pursuit of an answer, which involves a trip to Mt. Vernon and a walk through the first President's kitchen.  Let's just say that in honor of Presidents' Day, you need to get your apron ready! Your family will truly enjoy George Washington's Breakfast!
*Recipe coming soon.  Keep reading Fireflies!

Mary Kline

CLIP Questions:
1. What is the name of our President?
2. What is the job of the President?
3. We learned that George was determined. Why is determination a good thing?

CLIP Review: Just Like Abraham Lincoln

by Bernard Waber

"Mr. Potts lives next door. And he looks just like...Abraham Lincoln!  He even has a stovepipe hat and a frock coat!"  The young boy in our story learns about Lincoln's boyhood, love of books, family hardships, and years as a lawyer through his neighbor, Mr. Potts.  Young readers  also are introduced to the Gettysburg address in a unique and impressive way.  Readers of all ages will be chuckling as a new neighbor moves in next door when Mr. Potts leaves.   "I wonder what HE'S like!"

Mary Kline

CLIP Questions:
1. Abraham Lincoln once said, "The things I want to know are in books." Tell about
    something you have learned from reading a book.
2. In his Gettysburg Address, Lincoln said that all men are created equal.
    What do you think that means?
3. Do you remember what these words mean?
    If not, you can look them up.
         buckskin breeches
         spectacles
         frock coat
         Lincolnphile