The “TRUE” books, published by
Children’s Press since the mid-1900s, remain a valuable resource for classrooms
and families across America. Topics range from animals to social studies to
biographies and more, with concepts and facts clearly explained. The Congress
of the United States by Christine Taylor-Butler is one of several books
focusing on our national government. It provides the history of the Congress,
the composition of the House of Representatives and the Senate, areas of
responsibility, relationship to the Executive and Judicial branches of
government ensuring the balance of power intended in the Constitution, plus a
few landmark events. Readers learn that Congress is the Legislative (lawmaking)
branch of the Unites States government; they also learn how a bill becomes
law. Included are a map of the Capitol area in Washington, D.C., a
glossary of important terms, a timeline and additional resources. There
are intriguing items, such as the Candy Desk in the Senate chambers, and
extremely serious ones such as the decision to declare war. Did you know that,
though a member of Congress must be a U.S. citizen, he or she need not have
been born in the United States? That Nancy Pelosi was the first female Speaker
of the House in 2007 and that same year Keith Ellison became the first Muslim
elected to Congress? Or that Senator Strom Thurmond holds the record for the
longest filibuster, back in 1957? The most up-to-date information about our
Congress can be obtained on its websites www.house.gov and www.senate.gov, but an
introductory book such as this is a very useful beginning. Ages 8-10 and others
who seek basic information.
