Ryan Tubridy

I felt the excitement of getting to meet the President of the country while reading this story. You could feel how important this visit from JFK was to the entire town, but more so to the children of the town. I could relate to this; meeting JFK would have me feeling giddy, nervous, starstruck, etc. I think I would feel this way with the chance to meet any President of our Country. JFK is one of those people if we could go back in time to meet and hold a conversation with he would be one of my choices. I could see having this book available to students to read to get them excited about meeting the President or anyone important.… (mere)

Recommended by: Abigail A.

It’s interesting to me that JFK books are still popular, and I was happy to find this children’s picture book about JFK’s 1963 trip to Ireland. These events happened just a few months before he was assassinated.

It’s a fictional story but heavily based on fact, and there is a short but informative non-fiction history section at the end of the book.

I was very touched by the story, as told through the eyes of a young boy. I felt his excitement and the excitement of the Irish people and of JFK prior to and during the visit.

The illustrations are wonderful. Big, bold, realistic, with just the subtlest muting of colors, done very effectively.

4 ½ stars

Note: I did find it interesting to read that in one of Kennedy's speeches there he said that Ireland wasn't the land of his birth but the place closest to his heart. (paraphrasing) I don't think a President could get away with that in today's world.… (mere)