The White House Pop-Up Book

Those who are interested in learning more about the history and construction of the White House but who haven't the time or the attention span to read a meaty book on the subject may enjoy Fischer's (Great American Houses and Gardens: A Pop-Up Book) clever, beautifully illustrated pop-up book. The first panel features an accordion-like pull-out that, when fully extended, shows the National Mall in all its three-dimensional glory. A brief description of the Mall as a popular demonstration site and the cultural heart of Washington D.C. follows, along with some general information on the city and the architect who came up with the""immediately unpopular"" idea to name it Washingtonople. The next two spreads feel scattershot. The first displays a photo of Gilbert Stuart's famous portrait of George Washington, which opens like a card to reveal headshots of the nation's past presidents, and the second contains elementary-level information about the Constitution and the three branches of government. Readers would do best to skip to the book's piece de resistance--a three-dimensional model of the White House surrounded by a striking illustration of the gardens and grounds. Here readers learn that the Oval Office was the brainchild of William Taft and that Andrew Jackson was an""enthusiastic gardens supporter."" Although the text can be general and perfunctory, the book's artful and inventive construction makes this a fun, interactive reading experience.