By Margaret A. Hudak
Alexandria, VA – Rocco Smirne is a nine-year-old 4th-grade FCPS student passionate about presidential history. Rocco was born and raised in Alexandria. He has become an award-winning children’s book author for his exceptional work. He has now written four children’s books, with his newest book, Rocco Keeps the Beat! Music At the White House.
According to Rocco’s mother, Arioth Smirne, “The books that Rocco writes are through the White House Historical Associations Publication Department. Rocco works with the publication department team to produce these books.” Rocco and Arioth started writing children’s books because “we want children to have access to the White House through these books.” Rocco’s very first book was published when he was in kindergarten! Since kindergarten, Rocco has tried to publish a book every year.
Rocco was inspired to research the musical history behind the White House because he listens to music every day and thought it would be interesting. Rocco says he loves to listen to artists like Yo-Yo Ma, Bob Marley, and Keb Mo, whom Rocco has seen perform at the White House. Although not mentioned in the book, Rocco has recently been listening to the band Imagine Dragons.
Rocco’s musical abilities are similar to the musical abilities of the founding fathers. One of Rocco’s favorite presidents, which you can learn about in his new book, is Thomas Jefferson because “he played the violin, and I play the violin.” Another president that Rocco admires is John Quincy Adams because, just like Rocco, he played the flute.
At the White House, music is used in various ways, not just to entertain but for tradition. Rocco likes to hear the United States Marine Band. “I like the instruments they play and how the music sounds.” One of Rocco’s favorite songs the United States Marine Band plays is Hail to the Chief, amongst other traditional songs they perform at the White House.
Rocco’s interest in music has also been supported by President Bill Clinton, who wrote a letter to Rocco in response to another book of Rocco’s called Rocco Travels with the Presidents!
According to Rocco and Arioth, President Clinton encouraged Rocco to continue his interest in presidents and expressed great pleasure and enjoyment from reading his book. Rocco believes “presidential history is cool [because presidents] make the rules for the whole United States.”
Rocco has attended many events at the White House, including the National Christmas Tree Lighting, the White House Easter Egg Roll, and Halloween. Last year Rocco read his book Rocco at the White House Easter Egg Roll to a crowd of White House Easter Egg Roll attendees.
The incredible illustrations featured in all of Rocco’s books are by John Hutton. John Hutton is a painter and illustrator who is now a professor in North Carolina. According to Rocco’s mom, Arioth, “[Hutton’s] drawings are cute and fitting for [Rocco’s] book[s].”
In terms of Rocco’s process, he works on the text first, and then he meets with the publication team at the White House Historical Association to discuss his interests. Next, Rocco is provided with different research materials. He thinks about how to express the information he learns in a children’s book.
Rocco has also provided John Hutton with photos of himself and his friends to help with the book’s illustrations and incorporate them into the drawings. Rocco also collaborated with John Hutton to produce a step-by-step guide for how to draw presidents like Barack Obama.
With each book he writes, Rocco wants his readers “to learn [more] about the White House and inspire them to go.” For his fourth book, Rocco Keeps the Beat Music at the White House, Rocco emphasizes, “I want my readers to listen to more music and play music. I want them to understand the presidents and the presidents’ lives at the White House.”
Rocco’s fifth book will be about the Birth of America, celebrating America’s 248th birthday.
If you are interested in purchasing Rocco’s latest book Rocco Keeps the Beat! Music at the White House, you may do so in person at the White House Historical Society shop and online at shop.whitehousehistory.org/products/rocco-keeps-the-beat-music-at-the-white-house
For Rocco’s other books, you can find them here: shop.whitehousehistory.org/collections/bookstore-books-and-journals. Please note that Rocco’s books can be shipped.
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