When Penny Met POTUS

Penny is going to the “big white house” where her mother works to meet the mother’s boss, POTUS. Penny doesn’t know why the boss has such a funny name, but she imagines that he’s some kind of magical creature—she pictures him as a furry blue monster stuffed into a business suit, complete with a Secret Service team to go on “secret missions” with and a personal sandwich chef. So when POTUS is revealed to be an ordinary human President of the United States—even though it’s implied that she’s the first woman POTUS—Penny can’t help but be disappointed. Ruiz, a debut author who worked on President Obama’s 2012 campaign, wagers her premise and punchline on her heroine being clueless, and older readers may roll their eyes at a character who looks to be five or six years old and doesn’t understand who her mother works for. Younger readers, or those simply willing to go along for the ride, should still be entertained by Penny’s POTUS fantasies and the bright-eyed energy of newcomer Manwill’s animation-style drawings. Ages 4–7. (July)