As the 27th president of the United States, William Howard Taft weighed more than 300 pounds and is sometimes remembered more for the size of his appetite than for his political ambitions. Told by a young boy, this good-natured spoof relates the events of a visit by Taft to small-town America at the turn of the century. The president is barely off the train before a delicious aroma propels him down Main Street in search of its source. Of course, the whole town, including the mayor and marching band, follows along in hot pursuit. In a tribute to cultural diversity, Taft stops at the town's local restaurants sampling culinary delights at "Tony's Italian Villa," "Big Ed's Barbecue," and "Mrs. Wong's Hunan Palace" but no meal satisfies him completely. Finally, Taft follows his nose to the child's house where mom's apple pie is cooling on the kitchen windowsill. After a hysterical encounter with the mother, her clothesline, and a rescued pie, Taft sits down to tea. Full-color comical illustrations capture the intended silliness with ease, and Garland's very round Taft practically rolls down the street with glee. Younger readers will simply enjoy the chase, but an older audience might be prompted to investigate the authenticity of early 20th-century, small-town diversity and Taft's presidential accomplishments. Alicia Eames, New York City Public Schools Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.