President Taft Is Stuck in the Bath

Gr 1–4—Based on a possibly true event, this title tells the lighthearted tale of the 27th President, who gets lodged in the bathtub. At first, President Taft is reticent to ask for help, even from his wife. Eventually he admits he needs some assistance. That is when the true adventure begins. The vice president and cabinet come to the scene to try and brainstorm a solution. The secretary of agriculture suggests using a vat of butter to ease the president out of the tub. Illustrations enhance the madcap scenario when cows are brought in to the bathroom to produce cream for butter. The artwork for the secretary of war's solution is just as dramatic. Not surprisingly, his solution includes a dynamite blast. This is ruled out, for obvious reasons. Success comes when the cabinet members finally decide to work together. The video wraps up with some facts about President Taft and bathtubs. They include items that ran in newspapers throughout the country. This title spins a colorful yarn about the president that might not have actually happened.