Are you looking for engaging Presidents’ Day picture books to add to your speech room, classroom, or home library? You’re in the right place! As a picture-book-obsessed speech-language pathologist, I’m rounding up some of my favorite President’s Day books to share with students—along with simple, meaningful ideas for using these stories to support speech and language goals.
Presidents’ Day is celebrated on the third Monday of February, which falls on February 16, 2026. The holiday originally began as a way to honor George Washington, the first president of the United States, on his birthday, February 22. Over time, it evolved into a day that recognizes and celebrates all U.S. presidents.
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Presidents’ Day Read Alouds for Kids
Robin Hill School Presidents’ Day by Margaret McNamara
This is a fantastic series that features the first graders at Robin Hill School. This Presidents’ Day edition highlights the fun facts the children know about presidents from the past, shared through engaging and relatable dialogue. It’s a cute, conversational book that students really enjoy!
You can use this book to target:
- Who questions, such as “Who was good at math?” and “Who was a movie star?”
- Vocabulary, including president, White House, famous, and wise.
- Punctuation and Dialogue, as this story is told through conversations.
P is for President by Wendy Lewison
This is a great book to include in your Presidents’ Day unit. It takes a deeper look at what a president is and clearly explains many aspects of the presidency in a child-friendly way. The book also shares fun facts—like how one president had a pet alligator! Because the role of the president can be complex, this book does a great job of breaking big ideas down into concepts that are easy for children to understand.
You can use this book to target:
- WH-Questions, such as “What is a president” and “Where does the president live?”
- Character traits, this book does a great job explaining the character traits of a president.
- Comparing and contrasting, you can compare so many things in this book such as the different ways the president travels!
Fly Guy Presents: The White House by Tedd Arnold
My son is obsessed with the Fly Guy series by Tedd Arnold—and honestly, I am too! Fly Guy Presents is a spin-off series, and this book explores the White House. It’s packed with fun facts about presidents and life inside the White House, including the hundreds of people who work there. Did you know the White House even has a beekeeper? Students and children will love how the information is presented in this engaging, kid-friendly book.
This book can be used to address:
- WH-Questions, such as “Where is the White House?” and “Who won the contest to design the White House?”
- Describing: I think describing the White House would be such a fun task! There are so many details that can be discussed.
- Sequencing: Students can create a timeline of the White House, including when it was first built, when it burned down, and when it officially became known as the White House.
Presidents’ Day Picture Book Biographies
There are so many wonderful presidential picture book biographies to choose from! Here are some of my favorites.
Looking at Lincoln by Maira Kalman
First, I have to recognize that Maira Kalman’s illustrations are incredible! I love her artistic style and this was worthy of a Caldecott Meal in my opinion. This book has a very unique perspective, as Lincoln’s life story is told through the eyes of a young girl. She goes to the library and voraciously researches him and at the end gets to visit his monument in Washington, D.C. You and your students will learn so much about Abraham Lincoln with this read aloud!
You can use this biography to work on:
- Character Traits: Lincoln was an admirable person.
- Adjectives: Lincoln’s nickname was Honest Abe. There are many adjectives students can discuss with this book, including honest, tall, and brave.
- Comparing and Contrasting: Students can compare themselves to Abraham Lincoln. For example, Lincoln listened to Mozart, and students can discuss what music they like to listen to.
I also created a literature lap book companion for this book! You can find it in my TPT Shop or in The Speech is Sweet Club, my membership for SLPs. You can also read about it in my blog post about February Lap Books.
President Taft is Stuck in the Bath by Mac Barnett
Sometimes, you really can judge a book by its cover—this one is sure to make students giggle! This playful biography highlights William Howard Taft, the 27th president of the United States, who later served as a Supreme Court Justice. The story centers around the famous rumor that President Taft once got stuck in a bathtub. The author explores this possibility in a fun and engaging way, creating a story students are sure to enjoy. This is definitely the silliest of all my Presidents’ Day picture books!
You can use this romp to work on:
- Problem Solving: The Secretary of Agriculture recommended filling the bathtub with butter—haha!
- Sequencing: Taft called upon many members of his cabinet to help.
- Book Genres: This is a great book for discussing historical fiction. While the characters were real people, the events in the story likely did not happen.
Lincoln and Kennedy: A Pair to Compare by Gene Barretta
This is such a unique book, and I truly believe it should be added to every picture book library! Barretta tells the life stories of Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy side by side, highlighting both their similarities and differences. This book presents an immense amount of information, yet it never feels overwhelming. Students will walk away from this read-aloud feeling inspired by these two presidents and their legacies.
This book can be used to address:
- Comparing/Contrasting
- Perspective Taking
- WH-questions
Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library by Barb Rosenstock
I love how this book focuses on one thing—Thomas Jefferson’s love of books! It is said that he read every book in his father’s library before the age of six. That library contained 49 books, which was considered a real luxury in colonial times.
Each page features book-shaped blurbs at the top and bottom filled with additional fun facts and famous quotes from Thomas Jefferson. The story also explains how Jefferson helped transform a small collection of books into what would become the Library of Congress, growing it to nearly 3,000 volumes and even appointing a librarian.
Years later, when the library burned down, Jefferson sent his own personal collection to Washington to help rebuild it. This inspiring story is sure to captivate young readers, and it’s one of my favorite books in my Presidents’ Day picture book collection!
This story can be used to target:
- Rhyming
- Sequencing
- Expository Text Features
George Washington Picture Books
As the first president of the United States, George Washington is one of the most well-known figures in history. From myths like chopping down the cherry tree to facts such as refusing a crown, his life was both fascinating and inspiring. Let’s explore some great picture books all about George Washington!
The Picture Book of George Washington by David A. Adler
Adler has written many picture book biographies, all beautifully illustrated and filled with engaging information. This book follows George Washington from his childhood love of horseback riding to his work as a surveyor and through his many accomplishments. Students will learn a great deal about the Father of Our Country through this informative and engaging book.
This book can be used to work on:
- Cause/Effect: This book is a great opportunity to explore cause-and-effect relationships, such as what led to the Boston Tea Party and the American Revolution.
- Why questions: Students can discuss questions such as, “Why was the capital named after him?” and “Why was he elected president?”
- Describing
George Washington by National Geographic Kids
I love including National Georgraphic books in thematic units. They’re quintessential examples of non-fiction and feature a variety of text-features. This includes many real pictures, maps, and realistic illustrations. This is a great informational book!
You can use this book to address:
- Expository Text Features
- Vocabulary: constitution, revolution, surveying
- WH-questions: Students can answer questions such as, “Where did George Washington grow up?” and “Where is Mount Rushmore?”
Presidents’ Day Picture Books Conclusion
Presidents’ Day is a wonderful opportunity to introduce students to important historical figures and meaningful discussions about leadership. Whether you choose biographies, engaging read alouds, or books focused on specific presidents, these children’s books can spark curiosity and support rich language learning. I hope this list helps you find the perfect Presidents’ Day books for your classroom or speech room!
Looking for more civic picture books? Check out these blog posts:
Grace for President Lap Book Companion
Presidents’ Day Speech Therapy Activities
