Lists and Suggestions for Kids

A fun, sturdy novelty board book with 13 sliding doors! Toddlers will love casting their vote as they "slide-and-vote" in everyday situations like striped or polka dot socks in the morning, vanilla or chocolate ice cream at snack time, and many more exciting choices every kid faces throughout the day. This sturdy board book is a great way to encourage toddlers to always cast their votes, despite how ordinary or tiny the decision may seem!

Amanda Adams has always dreamed of running for class president. Her mom is a member of Congress and her dad is a political strategist who manages her mother's campaigns. Politics is in her DNA. She has the perfect VP in mind for the school ticket: her best friend Meghan Hart. But when Amanda finds out that Meghan has political ambitions of her own, these two best friends suddenly find themselves on opposite sides of the aisle, and, as each girl mounts her campaign, it's clear the gloves are about to come off. As the rest of their classmates begin to choose sides, the girls realize how they carry themselves over the coming weeks will have a lasting impact on the outcome.

An Election Day reader finds the Cat in the Hat outlining laugh-out-loud campaign promises if he is elected president, including giving the Oval Office a more pronounced shape, replanting the Rose Garden with Seussian shrubbery and painting smiles on the somber portraits of historical leaders.

Also available in Hoopla.For 12-year-old Maddie Polansky, the only good part of school is art class. And though she’s never paid much attention to politics, when she learns that the frontrunner for mayor of her city intends to cut funding for the arts in public schools, the political suddenly becomes very personal. So Maddie persuades her babysitter, Janet, to run for mayor against Lucinda Burghart, art-hating bad guy. Soon, Maddie is thrust into the role of campaign manager, leading not only to humor and hijinks, but to an inspiring story for young readers that talks about activism and what it takes to become an engaged citizen. Maddie and Janet’s adventures on the campaign trail are illustrated by copious black-and-white drawings throughout the book.

Also available in Hoopla. "Life on the farm with Granddaddy is full of hard work, but despite all the chores, Granddaddy always makes time for play, especially fishing trips. Even when there isn't a bite to catch, he reminds young Michael that it takes patience to get what's coming to you. One morning, when Granddaddy heads into town in his fancy suit, Michael knows that something very special must be happening--and sure enough, everyone is lined up at town hall! For the very first time, Granddaddy is allowed to vote, and he couldn't be more proud. But can Michael be patient when justice just can't come soon enough?" --

Also available in Overdrive. Olive is excited to start sixth grade: new teachers, new experiences, and a field trip to the big city with her best buds! But when Olive finds out that a school policy is keeping some kids from going on the trip, she decides to act. She's prepared to do whatever it takes to be heard--even if it means running against Trent and Sawyer, two of her closest friends, in the student council election! With intense campaign competition and emotions running high, can Olive make a big change and keep her friends? New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Kayla Miller crafts a genuine and inspiring story about evolving friendships, supportive family, and finding out that you--yes, you--have the power to make a difference.

Also available in Hoopla. "Now more than ever, it's so important for everyone to understand our government: where it came from, how it works, and how we can bring about change. And, after all, in the words of author and government teacher Jeff Foster, "If you don't participate, you can't complain." This book is a comprehensive and entertaining guide that answers questions like: What is the Constitution? What are the branches of the government? What is the Electoral College? What are the political parties? What are the different responsibilities of the city, state, and federal governments? Plus, discover the complete backstory on some of our government's most important moments, like why we wrote the Declaration of Independence, and how people since then have worked with -- and protested against -- the government to improve the lives of all Americans"--

Also available in Overdrive. As an elderly woman, Lillian recalls that her great-great-grandparents were sold as slaves in front of a courthouse where only rich white men were allowed to vote, then the long fight that led to her right--and determination--to cast her ballot since the Voting Rights Act gave every American the right to vote.

Also available in Hoopla. How do citizens make their voices heard? There is perhaps no greater example of democracy in action than voting. Historically, marginalized groups were excluded from the equal citizenship represented by suffrage. Readers will study the importance of voting, the history of the vote being denied to minority groups, how those groups struggled to attain that right, and what voting means to American citizens today. The comprehensive subject matter supplements the elementary social studies curriculum. Primary sources and full-color photographs make the information pop.

Also available in Hoopla. "When election season starts, the race is on! But what do campaigns, candidates, polls, and the Electoral College have to do with voting for our nation's leaders? Using engaging, age-appropriate language and colorful photos, readers decipher the complex electoral process and learn how to get involved in the next election."--

Voting is the expression of one's opinion or choice. This means voting can be anything from making a choice about what to eat for breakfast or who should be the next president of the United States of America. In the United States, people vote by casting a secret ballot. This book explores what voting is through accessible language.

"In the voice of one of the most iconic and beloved political figures of the twentieth century comes a book on citizenship for the future voters of the twenty-first century. Eleanor Roosevelt published the original edition of When You Grow Up to Vote in 1932, the same year her husband was elected president. The new edition has updated information and back matter as well as fresh, bold art from award-winning artist Grace Lin. Beginning with government workers like firefighters and garbage collectors, and moving up through local government to the national stage, this book explains that the people in government work for the voter. Fresh, contemporary, and even fun, When You Grow Up to Vote is the book parents and teachers need to talk to children about how our government is designed to work"--Publisher.

Also available in Hoopla. "Women's suffrage in America came down to a single voter in Tennessee who voted yes because of a letter his mother had written, urging "Vote for suffrage and don't forget to be a good boy." This is the story of the letter than gave all American women a voice"--

Also available in Hoopla. "In April 1916, Nell Richardson and Alice Burke set out from New York City in a little yellow car, embarking on a bumpy, muddy, unmapped journey ten thousand miles long. They took with them a teeny typewriter, a tiny sewing machine, a wee black kitten, and a message for Americans all across the country: Votes for Women! The women's suffrage movement was in full swing, and Nell and Alice would not let anything keep them from spreading the word about equal voting rights for women. Braving blizzards, deserts, and naysayers--not to mention a whole lot of tires stuck in the mud--the two courageous friends made their way through the cities and towns of America to further their cause. One hundred years after Nell and Alice set off on their trip, Mara Rockliff revives their spirit in a lively and whimsical picture book, with exuberant illustrations by Hadley Hooper bringing their inspiring historical trek to life,"--Amazon.com.

There's all kinds of interesting details behind when and how people vote. People vote in a few different ways. The information in this book provides readers with an idea of what their adult lives will require in terms of civic duties. Colorful photographs provide readers with close textual correlations.

Also available in Hoopla in English and Spanish. The Founding Fathers made Congress two houses for a reason. The Senate gives every state equal representation, while the House of Representatives allows states with a larger population a bigger voice in government. Learning how this system works is an important piece of understanding how laws are made in the United States. This book breaks down the many jobs of Congress as well as the specific qualifications needed to be a representative or senator. Written simply and clearly, the social studies content can aid any student looking to better understand how Congress works.

Peek inside the workings of the Senate and House of Representatives.A True Book: Why it Matters series introduces young readers to the branches of the US government, the constitution and more, while engaging them to become productive citizens. This series includes an age appropriate (grades 3-5) introduction to curriculum-relevant subjects and a robust resource section that encourages independent study.Our government is built on laws, and Congress is where those laws are written. Readers will learn what it takes to become a member of Congress and the different roles a person can play once elected.

Also available in Hoopla in Spanish. "When election season starts, the race is on! But what do campaigns, candidates, polls, and the Electoral College have to do with voting for our nation's leaders? Using engaging, age-appropriate language and colorful photos, readers decipher the complex electoral process and learn how to get involved in the next election. Fully translated Spanish text"--