DaytonDailyNews.com

BEAVERCREEK — Rachael Robertson, 23, doesn't have children of her own but she was one of 30 people waiting in line Saturday, Oct. 4, to have an illustrated children's book, "My Dad, John McCain," signed by author Meghan McCain, the Republican presidential nominee's daughter.

The 24-year-old former intern at Newsweek and Saturday Night Live made a brief appearance Saturday afternoon at Barnes & Noble Bookstore across from the Mall at Fairfield Commons as part of her national promotion tour.

"When I heard she was going to be here, I got excited and decided to come," said Robertson, a Wright State University graduating senior. "I'm interested in the whole family and the John McCain story."

Avid McCain supporters such as Robertson help explain why Meghan McCain's book is number two on Publisher Weekly's bestseller list of hardcover illustrated children's books, followed in third place by a similar inspirational tome, "Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope," written by poet Nikki Grimes.

The McCain book tells his life story from his birth on a U.S. Naval base in the Panama Canal zone through his military career as a pilot and prisoner of war and his later decisions to enter politics and the presidential race. The author chose not to mention McCain's first wife and three children.

Both books have gotten middling reviews from critics who concede that fans of each candidate will find them worthwhile reading for their small children. Well-known children's book illustrator Dan Andreasen did the artwork for the McCain book.

Bonnie Edens, 56, said she was buying a McCain book and having it signed for her three-year-old granddaughter, Francis, whose father is serving in the Persian Gulf with the U.S. Marines.

Gary Smith, 57, of Kettering said he was there Saturday because of "the election — any connection with John McCain."