5 Kid's Books About Voting
Plus the first time I voted
It was hard growing up an immigrant and yet feeling first-generation. I moved to the US at such a young enough age that I identified more as an American. But sneaky little things would remind me I wasn’t. Especially something that in the US rolled around every 4 years: the presidential election.
When I was in second grade, we were in a presidential election year and our teachers told us, very solemnly, we would be voting. My hand immediately shot up and I solemnly informed the teacher that I couldn’t vote because I wasn’t a citizen. The teacher reassured us that none of us could vote until we turned 18. So it turned out I had two voting problems: I wasn’t a citizen and I wasn’t 18. I guess that explains why my teacher was struggling not to laugh.
“Fortunately,” the teacher informed us, “we will practice voting but instead of a president, we will vote on a party. Whichever wins will be the color theme of our party celebrating democracy.”
So the very first time I ever voted, I had to choose between a blue party and a red party, and I still remember the thrill of ducking into a booth and depositing my precious vote into a maniacally decorated cardboard box.
I take voting very seriously. It’s a privilege and honor to uphold one of the most fundamental tenets of democracy. As I’m sure your kids are seeing and hearing many things about elections, both upcoming and past, and not just in the US but around the world, I hope these books will help excite them about the honor and responsibility awaiting them.
Also, it’s not too late to participate in Week 7 of the Summer Story Challenge. If you missed it, you can find it here!
Go Vote, Baby!
Written by Nancy Lambert and Illustrated by Anne Passchier
Recommended Ages: 0-2 years old
I may be an adult but I’m not above enjoying interactive books—think pop-ups, lift-the-flaps, or, in this case, sliding windows. It’s like the little kid in me emerges and needs to flip all the flaps. This book is delightfully fun that way. With “giving choices” being the modus operandi when handling toddlers, this book leans into that cherished tradition with an instructional spin. Presenting little hands two choices, the young reader can slide the check mark and vote for what they prefer. It’s a lovely way to start familiarizing little ones with one of the most cherished traditions in a democracy.
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Froggy for President!
Written by Jonathan London and Illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz
Recommended Ages: 3-5 years old
The first presidential elections kids will participate in will likely be at the school level. I still remember listening to the debates sitting in the auditorium seriously considering the two candidates—one who promised free lunches (LOL) and one who promised to limit the amount of homework we got. What to do? I can’t recall who won but there was something so exciting about participating in such a grown-up thing. This fun sketch-and-watercolor picture book follows Froggy’s attempt to become class president. But the competition is tough—Frogilina, the other candidate is running a tough campaign. There’s something so endearing about the exuberance and sincerity Froggy has for his campaign and the nerves that come with waiting for the outcome. This book is sweet and the best part is the cheeky one-liners that will be sure to have you and your kids chuckling.
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Your Voice, Your Vote
Written by Leah Henderson and Illustrated by Keisha Morris
Recommended Ages: 5-8 years old
For too many people, voting is not an option, and for many others, voting doesn’t hold much power either. In this earnest book, Quetta joins her mother and grandmother as they head out to vote in the presidential elections. It’s not an easy journey—it involves a late public bus, a long walk, downpours, and missing identification. Ultimately, both Quetta’s mom and grandmother can vote and all’s well that ends well. This book does a beautiful job of showing that it’s a privilege worth fighting and overcoming hurdles for. It’s a right that has been hard fought and, even today, when it feels so easy, it’s our responsibility to uphold it. This book is a glimpse at Quetta’s family on one—important—day and with Quetta we learn about how much voting can mean to an individual, a community, and a country.
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Lambslide
Written by Ann Patchett and Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser
Recommended Ages: 5-8 years old
Yes, this book is written by the very same Ann Patchett of Tom Lake fame. Deciding that writing books for grown-ups “was boring” (her words, not mine), she decided to take up the mantle of children’s author as well. And I’m so impressed because writing a good children’s book is deceptively hard so the fact that this book is utterly charming is a testament to her skill. The illustrations are precious (anyone remember Precious Moments?) and have a vintage feel to them. The lambs on the Farmer's farm live a cosseted life where their every wish is attended to. So when Nicolette Farmer announces she’s running for class president and believes she’ll win by a landslide, the lambs hear “lamb slide” and go crazy with excitement. So when they’re told there is no “lamb slide” their disappointment is palpable. They embark on a campaign to get a lamb slide. We see them confer with other farm animals to test if they’d support the idea. You see them problem-solve when questions and concerns arise. It’s a brilliant example of what it takes to implement something new and how necessary it is to have the backing and support of the local community. A lovely read that has you rooting for the lambs and subtly understanding all that’s needed to earn a vote!
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How Women Won the Vote
Written by Susan Campbell Bartoletti and Illustrated by Ziyue Chen
Recommended Ages: 8-11 years old
In case, I haven’t stressed enough how important it is to engage in our civic duties and responsibilities, in comes this gem of a book. This nonfiction chapter picture book details the suffragette movement and all that women did to gain the precious right to vote. We follow the two protagonists, Alice Paul, and Lucy Burns, as they become involved in the women’s suffragette movement in England and how they bring that same spirit as a rallying cry for women in America. The book’s pictures are a lovely blend of digital illustrations and photographs marking the various highlights of the women’s suffragette movement. What makes this book special is that it immerses us in Alice and Lucy’s stories—it doesn’t become pedantic but shows us the successes and setbacks women overcame through their eyes. There are also, of course, focuses on some of the most famous leaders of the Suffragette movement. The one thing I was particularly looking for and was pleased that this book doesn’t shy away from was how Black women participated in the movement. FYI, this is a read for mature kids—there are mentions of physical violence and torture.
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There’s still time to participate in the second-to-last week of the Summer Story Challenge!
Let’s talk…
What have been some fun things your teachers did growing up to teach you a real-life lesson?
What’s your favorite part about voting (aside from the fundamental stuff)? For me, it’s the sticker!
*Thank you for using (at no additional cost to you) the affiliate links in this post! :-)
The best part about voting in Australia is the democracy sausage. There's a sausage sizzle outside all the good polling places, and they only count your vote if you buy a sausage afterwards
Ooh, Lambslide looks cute! I put it on hold for us and checked out the e-book of How Women Won the Vote. We'll see how the ebook version works out.
I'm signed up as an early voter in Arizona, so my ballot arrives in the mail for every election, big or small. It's great to get real mail! And I love getting the text that says my ballot has been counted.