This book takes a gentle swipe at Donald Trump and his policies--the border wall, in particular. Kids must be very confused at times when a person who's supposed to be a role model is advocating doing things that their own parents have spent years trying to dissuade them from.

In this story, Sam is fed up with his older brother. They have to share a room, so when Sam hears Trump (who isn't named, by the way; it's clearly him, though, and his hair does make a cameo) talking about building a border wall to keep out "undesirable" people, he thinks it might be the perfect solution to his sibling problem, too. But as Sam talks about it with his family, friends, and teachers, and learns more about walls and what they do (and have done, especially in the past) he comes to realize that maybe a wall isn't such a great idea after all. Sam's final letter wishes the president well with his own wall and suggests that maybe a small one would do. (Ah, the naivete of youth...)

Because Trump isn't actually named in the book, that aspect of the story might go over some kids' heads (especially if they're not familiar with Trump and his policies). It's interesting that this appears to be a New Zealand title originally; the version I read is from a Canadian publisher. I wonder how many American children will get a chance to read this subtly subversive book and maybe question their president's stubborn, xenophobic policies. Dear Mr. President frames the matter as sibling rivalry, but it's easy to see the parallels. Cooperation, communication, and negotiation should never be partisan issues. Maybe Trump needs someone to send him a copy of this book!

Overall, this is a clever little book with a timely message. Even after Trump's presidency is but a memory, this book will still have value... both historically and in a smaller--but still important--family-dynamics sort of way.

Dear Mr. President is a children's picture book that connects sibling rivalry, learning to live with others and the important and timely issue of tolerance and acceptance. This book is told is a series of letters to our current president, which although he is not named, is made clear by the illustrations and the topic of the book.

Sam is the younger brother is his family and he is frustrated with sharing his room with his older brother. His plan is is build a "wall" and he writes a series of letters talking through his thoughts about it as well as the feedback he gets from his family members.

I thought that the idea of sharing this book in a series of letters was unique but it sometimes felt a little clumsy as the reader. I have never been drawn to books that are told in that kind of format so that might just be my own preferences. I would have enjoyed a little more dialogue as it is a timely topic in our home, both sibling issues and the larger look at politics in our country today.

I loved what a great conversation starter this book was for our family and our elementary aged children seemed like the perfect audience for this point of view. Although I struggled a bit with the flow of the book, I admire that the author took on this important topic and so appreciate when someone is able to talk about real life issues in a way that is accessible for a younger audience.

HA! I loved this book! It gave me a good laugh! As an only child I didn't have this issue, but boy. oh. boy, did I know the sibs that did! Families were much larger when I was growing up. I have no idea how 3 , or even 4 brothers shared a room in peace- or even the same number girls! I remember how friends always complained about older/younger sisters/brothers/ stealing their stuff, getting in the way, being annoying... I never envied them. But this story, told in letter form to the current POTUS is hilarious! trump wants his was all badly as Sam wants to build his! Illustrations were a hoot! Kids and their caregivers are going to laugh out loud reading this!