During a month of Presidents’ Day celebrations, the Learning Center staff hosted a special virtual program for students honoring some of the other esteemed White House residents – the pets! Nearly 1,000 students in grades 2-5 participated in a webinar to learn from Michigan authors Janis Campbell and Cathy Collison who discussed their book, “Meet the Pets: Presidential Animals from A-Z.”
The book, which features various White House pets in alphabetical order, shares the stories of the beloved dogs and cats of our presidents as well as some of the more “unique” animals like Pauline Wayne, President Taft’s cow and Rebecca, the treasured raccoon belonging to First Lady Grace Coolidge. During the webinar, Campbell and Collison discussed their process for writing this non-fiction book including the research they did through many of the presidential libraries. The authors answered questions from the audience that ranged from curiosities about exotic pets to the writing and publishing process.
“Meet the Pets: Presidential Animals from A-Z” is available for purchase on Amazon as well as from a number of Michigan booksellers including Schuler Books and Books & Mortar. Be sure to check out letter “L” to see President Ford’s lovable and loyal pup, Liberty!
Watch the Program Here
When
February 23, 2022
Program Supporters
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum
