Fifth grade student and popular award-winning children's book author Rocco Smirne is back with a new title: Rocco Celebrates America's 250th Birthday at the White House.
"Like the birthdays we celebrate for ourselves, some birthdays are extra special," observes Stewart D. McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association. "With this book Rocco Smirne celebrates America’s extra special 250th birthday as he shows us that 250 years of America’s history can be found in the halls and collections of the White House."

Rocco opens the book by welcoming readers on a tour of the White House. He takes us back to the Fourth of July 1776, before the house was built, joins President George Washington on the grounds of the newly built house, helps President Donald J. Trump raise the flag on the lawn, and leads us through the halls and State Rooms before taking a side trip to the twenty-first century People's House: A White House Experience.

"Today the White House itself is like a time capsule of American history!" says Rocco while looking at the fine art collection in the White House. "It holds interesting things that belonged to every president and remind us of how America has grown and changed." As he leads the tour, Rocco reminds us that memories of both good and bad times in American History can be found in the White House. He stops by the Lincoln Bedroom where a copy of the Gettysburg Address is displayed and explains that Lincoln's speech reminds us that the Declaration of Independence says that everyone is equal and that a government in which the people rule themselves must endure.

In one of many happy moments recalled by Rocco, he visits the Oval Office where President Richard M. Nixon telephoned the astronauts of Apollo 11 as they landed on the moon. Before leaving the White House Rocco enjoys the fireworks and announces, "The White House is my favorite place to celebrate the nation’s birthdays. There is so much to learn about the nation’s history here!"
Rocco Celebrates America's 250th Birthday at the White House, features colorful whimsical illustrations by John Hutton, artist and principal illustrator for the whole series.

For more information about our books, please contact books@whha.org.

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Rocco Celebrates America's 250th Birthday at the White House!