Most children view election speeches as boring and the workings of government as dry, "adult stuff". They are, however, future American voters and schools will at some point demand that they study government. Parents can encourage children learn about government by presenting them with books that are engaging.
Most children begin their political awareness through singing "Yankee Doodle". A new version of Yankee Doodle (Simon and Schuster, $16.00; ages 4-8), illustrated by well-loved illustrator Steven Kellogg, emphasizes the revolutionary war setting so often cited as the song's impetus and gives a great many verses unknown to most children. The illustrations show a small patriotic Yankee son who rides with his father to view the troops, George Washington, and a battle with the Redcoats. Kellogg's illustrations are made for discussion as he not only captures the revolutionary spirit, but his pictures explain many of mysterious words, and show the emotions of a young boy whose courage is challenged by seeing the reality of battle.
Two recently published books show children who become involved in elections.
Emily Arnold McCully's The Ballot Box (Knopf, $17.00; ages 6-10) tells the story of Cordelia who wants to see if she can jump a fence on an old horse. The horse belongs to her neighbor, Elizabeth Stanton. Elizabeth Stanton has her own concerns. It's voting day, she can't vote because of her sex, and she's tired of the prejudice against women she's endured her entire life. With Cordelia in tow, Stanton pushes into a polling place and powerfully, though unsuccessfully, asserts her Constitutional right. When Cordelia leaves, still affected by the elderly woman's courage, she is mocked by her brother about her sex. In response she mounts the old horse, jumps it perfectly, while Ms. Stanton cheers her on with "Bully for you! The old war-horse has fight in her yet!"
Voting and equality are also themes of The Day Gogo Went to Vote, South Africa, 1994 by Elinor Sisulu (Little Brown, $19.95; ages 6-10). Children who are removed from the political beginnings of their own country have lived through the historic first democratic elections in South Africa. They will certainly be involved as Thembi tells the story of how her great-grandmother, Gogo, leaves the house for the first time in years to vote in the election. The book stays true to Thembi's perspective while revealing the wonder of a woman, 100 years of age, voting for the first time and the way she's supported by her family, friends, and neighbors.
Martin Sandler makes leaders of our country seem more real in Presidents (HarperCollins, $19.95; ages 8 and up). This is one of several volumes Sandler wrote in conjunction with the Library of Congress. As with his other books, he writes with immediacy and fills his book with pictures, photos, and stories with child appeal. His stories about our leaders' non-official lives makes them seem more like real men than figureheads from history books.
One of the most politically active and revered women in America was Eleanor Roosevelt. She is the focus of a new picture book biography, Eleanor (Viking, $15.99; ages 6-10) illustrated and written by Barbara Cooney. Cooney captures the childhood of Roosevelt; her seriousness, her exposure to helping those less fortunate, her adventures with "Uncle Ted", and her boarding school years where her headmistress Mlle. Souvestre praised her intellect, sensitivity, and caring. The book is a composite of meaningful vignettes that don't shy away from the disappointments and heartaches of Eleanor's childhood. In these childhood scenes, one can see how her early years planted the seeds which blossomed into a career of active social responsibility later in life. Cooney gives an eloquent introduction to the life of this noble woman.
New in paperback are two books by Jean Fritz, who is the reigning queen of historical fiction books for children. Can't You Make Them Behave, King George? and Why Don't You Get a Horse, Sam Adams? highlight elements crucial to the development of the early democratic principles of our country. (Both from Paperstar, $5.95; ages 7-10)
Let's face it, politics is complicated. Thankfully, there are some books which can make the subject accessible to children.
Betsy and Giulio Maestro are a children's book team that have tackled many subjects. They describe government in The Voice of the People: American Democracy in Action (Lothrop, $16.00; ages 7 and up). Betsy's writing is simple, precise and understandable as she explains complicated subjects like electoral college, the process of enacting laws and the dynamics of a presidential election. Giulio's colorful illustrations give even more clarity to Betsy's words.
Take a Stand: Everything You Never Wanted to Know About Government (Price Stern Sloan, $6.95; ages 7 and up), written by Daniel Weizmann, is an interactive look at government. This activity book shows how government works, how children can get involved in politics (how to write to the president and government officials), and how to they can activate their own political power (how to run for a school office---and win!). Learning is made fun with sidebars that inform and question, trivia, crossword puzzles and word searches.
Dear America, a new series from Scholastic, creates historical novels written in journal form from different eras. One of these, Kristiana Gregory's The Winter of Red Snow: The Revolutionary War Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart (Scholastic, $9.95; ages 9 and up) takes place in Valley Forge in 1777. Gregory, an author well-accomplished in writing young adult historical fiction, creates a believable book by detailing relationships of home and family and placing them against the historical setting. Abigail is as worried about her newborn brother and her friend who's been shamed for cutting her hair, as she is excited by teas with Mrs. Washington, repulsed by the boorishness of Major General Charles Lee, disturbed by the condition of the soldiers, and upset by her Philadelphia relatives who support the English. Gregory merges historical figures with fictional characters seamlessly. She gives a powerful picture of the politics of war and our early country. In addition, she's created a likable young woman who's an admirable guide to the past.
Dan Gutman gives a satirical, comedic view of politics in The Kid Who Ran for President (Scholastic, $15.95; ages 10-13). Judd is a sixth grader who's best friend, Lane, persuades him to run for office because he's got all it takes. ("You're tall. You've got good hair. People like you.") So begins the political career of a third party candidate and the first child to run for political office. As Judd explains to a reporter, "Grown-ups have had the last one thousand years to mess up the world. Now it's our turn."
Election years bring out more children's books than contenders. We know what the candidates say they stand for...what if the current slate of children's books could speak for themselves?
"I'm the funniest political picture book of them all!" declares Doreen Cronin's Duck for President (Simon and Schuster, $15.95; ages 5-9). Duck showed he was shrewd and politically savvy in Caldecott Honor winning, Click, Clack Moo Cows that Type and its sequel, Giggle, Giggle Quack. It's no surprise that he crushes the farmer in a farm election. The surprise comes when, despite missing ballots, recounts show Duck narrowly defeating the governor and the president. Duck has a surprise, too. He soon realizes running states and countries is not much fun and heads back to the farm, content to write his autobiography. This book is filled with adult-pleasing references of sticky missing ballots and playing the saxophone on late-night television. Seriously, folks, this book leads not only to chuckles, but to aptly describing the burden of chores connected glorious offices.
"I've got the wackiest pictures of the Presidents!" claims What Presidents Are Made of (Atheneum, $15.95; ages 7-9) by Hanoch Piven. There are trivia-studded sthort stories, or sketches of all the presidents, but the visual collaged portraits are sure to get conversation going. While children will marvel at the objects Piven uses, adults will notice subtlety of choice. Piven, who has made unique portraits, for most of America's magazines, imbeds humor in his illustrations that adults will appreciate. Of course Regan's smile is built of jelly beans and baseball-team owning George bush has a potrait built of balls, hot dogs, buns and catcher's mitt.
"I've got the most interesting new take on American presidents," asserts Jane O'Connor's If The Walls Could Talk: Family Life at the White House (Simon and Schuster, $16.95, ages 7-9) From Washington to Bush, we get an insider's look at how the presidents lived in the White House. Bits of trivia tell how the inhabitants added or detracted to the glory of the big white house. Andrew Jacskon invited 20,000 people to come to celebrate his new presidency at the White House while Woodrow Wilson let sheep trim the lawn. Each inhabitant added something to their temporary home.
"My take is more unusual," argues Wackiest White House Pets (Scholastic, $16.95; ages 6-9) by Gibbs Davis. Indeed! How else can children learn that Washington brushed the teeth of all his hourses, or that Lewis and Clark sent Jefferson two grizzly cubs, Taft's prize cow kept him full of milk and was housed next to the president's fine cars in the garage, Coolidge took a raccoon intended for dinner and turned her into a pet while his wife sewed matching floppy hats for herself and her collies to wear to garden parties. Animal-loving children will find new appreciation for former presidents, while adults may see a whole new side of leadership.
"I'm the most useful new reference on Americana" Boasts Sheila Keenan's O, Say Can You See? America's Symbols, Landmarks and Inspiring Words (Scholastic, $16.95; ages 8 and up). She adopts a storytelling approach for everything from the Pilgrim's landing to holiday descriptions. A glossary, index, and her short succinct, clear descriptions make this a great resource for parents who are trying to explain facts.
"I'm the best, simplest child-center non-fiction guide to elections," maintains Susan Ring's Election Connection: The Official Nick Guide to Electing the President (Chronicle, Books, $7.95; ages 7-11) There are clear well-organized organized descriptions of everything from democracy to getting involved in both broad brush strokes and details that answer any question a child could have. With this book as guide, a child can have explanations for every bit of the process. Better yet, there are flow charts to increase visual and hands-on activities like humerous quizzes, mazes, matching, and questions to help children define their thoughts and positions. Tour guides are everyone from Jimmy Neutron to Sponge Bob.
"I'm the best book about women in politics," swears Madam President: The Extraordinary, True (and Evolving) Story of Women in Politics (Houghton Mifflin, $17.00; ages 8-10). Thimmesh crosses time, definitions, and countries to offer short biographical snapshots from Abigail Adams who pushed her husband to "Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and flavourable to them than your ancestors" to Bemazor Bhutto, Pakistan prime minister and first woman head of state in a Muslim nation, who fought for embracing modernity. Political cartoonist Douglas B. Jones' drawings capture character and separate sections of first ladies, suffragettes, congresswomen, today's U.S. mover and shakers, and those from around the world.
"I'll give you the strongest sense of an early female politician, " claims Kathleen Krulls A Woman for President: The Story of Victoria Woodhull (Walker, $16.95, ages 9-12). Soft watercolors by Jane Dyer tell the hard life story of a Ohio woman who rose from a home of poverty and abuse to become one of the most powerful voices in America and the first woman to run for president. Successful as a spiritualist, she predicted Cornelius Vanderbilts stock would go up and he split profits. Her wealth led her to form the first female owned stock company, and economic and social prominence gave her the attention she needed to speak up for women and founding a newspaper gave her an even greater voice, and finally to form the Equal Rights Party and run for president. While she didn't even make it to the election booths, Woodhull's bravery of scandal let her overcome her times, politics, and economics to voice the need for chaange.
"I've got the most complete picture of women's struggle to vote," promises Ann Bausum's With Courage and Cloth: Winning the Fight for a Woman's Right to Vote (National Geographic, $21.95, ages 10 and up). Incredibly complete chronicle of this struggle and biographies of women who led the fight. Filled with photographs, some never-before published.
"I'm the funniest political novel you'll read this year," maintains Janet Tashjian's Vote For Larry (Holt, $16.95, ages 10 and up) which continues the story of the marvelous character the author invented in The Gospel According to Larry (Laurel Leaf, $5.99). Josh Swensen, a prodigy who rocked his teen world when he came out against consumerism on a website as a personna he named Larry, eventually faded into "pseudocide", a word he invented for starting over as someone knew.
In the companiion, Josh/ Larry, is now living in Colorado with his first real girlfriend who is, ironically, a committed shopper. When he's rediscovered by his best friend, true love, and cohort, Beth, she persuades him to run for President for the Peace Party. Amazingly they are successful, adding a 28th ammendment to make 18 the minimum age a person can run. His desire is to get youth voting and enlighten them about everyting from SuVs to Big Business owning politicians. An unlikely plot, but Tashjian's brisk writing and humor makes it work. Larry now speaks out against the horrors of current political ploys. Tashjan's genius is that she chooses stats that are shocking and has invented a character with enough depth and saucy that we can allow him to climb up on a pedestical and preach so that we listen. There's also a plot steeped in enough sabatoge and love that somehow it becomes story rather than treatise In truth this would make a great book to read in a political year and discuss current trends and youth's opinions of them!
"I guarantee you'll gasp with amazement," promises Robert Sabuda's America the Beautiful (Little Simon, $26.95, all ages). This startling pop-up takes readers on startling adventure from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Statue of Liberty as the artist's paper cuts reveal our country with one paper construction more stupendous than the one before it!
Emily Arnold McCully, The Ballot Box Battle (Random House, $6.99; ages 6-10)
Elinor Sisulu, The Day Gogo Went to Vote, South Africa, 1994 by Elinor Sisulu (Megan Tingley, $6.99; ages 6-10).
Eileen Christelow, Vote! (Clarion, $5.95; ages 6-10)
Dan Gutman, Landslide! A Kid's Guide to The Elections (Aladdin, $3.99; ages 10-14).
Kathleen Krull, Lives of the Presidents (HBJ, $20; ages 8-12)
Judith St. George's So You Want to Be President (Philomel, $17.99; ages 4-8)
Barbara Cooney, Eleanor (Puffin, $5.99; ages 6-10)
Jean Fritz, Can't You Make Them Behave, King George? (Both from Paperstar, $5.95; ages 7-10)
Dan Gutman, The Kid Who Ran for President (Scholastic, $4.50; ages 10-13) The Kid Who Became President (Scholastic, $4.50)
Today's children are future American voters and there's no better time to view government in action than in an election year. Here are some new books that earn my vote of confidence as discussion starters.
The presidential office is the best place to with start younger children. It's currently getting the most attention and is most familiar to them. Judith St. George's So You Want to Be President (Philomel, $17.99; ages 4-8) provides a playful, ebullient explanation of what the office really means. St. George puts the presidency in the context of children, observing, for example, "There are good things about being President and there are bad things about being President. One of the good things is that the President lives in a big white house called the White House". St. George goes on to share more good news (there's a bowling alley at the White House and you don't have to eat vegetables) and some bad news (you have to be polite and do lots of homework) . She describes the office thorough the personalities and characteristics of past presidents with the kind of trivia children like. She discusses categories like size ( and Taft's four man tub), age, personality (Andrew Jackson was a big brawler), siblings, and athletics (JQ Adams liked to skinny-dip). Her tone is light and Small's accompanying illustrations are rendered in a political cartoon style, showing presidents of different eras cavorting across the pages together. St. George and Small make history seem fun, the office attractive, and America's presidents human.
Don Robb's Hail to the Chief: The American Presidency (Charlesbridge, $7.95; ages 8-10) is wisely written to accommodate different levels of understanding and reading. Each page begins with several sentences that are simply written and printed in bold and below there is smaller type which gives more depth about presidential powers and how presidents have used their offices to deal with issues, revealing the mechanics of government through individuals. The book explains how the job was inaugurated, how it has changed over time, and why the person in this position is considered one of the most important and powerful leaders in the world. From Washington to Clinton, leaders are recorded by deeds and in colorful realistic illustrations. Robb's examples will pique interest that may lead to further discoveries and he provides books and website references so children can do just that.
Politicians and presidents don't just hatch when the office calls. They were once children and some of them wanted to lead moral lives from a young age. George Washington's guiding principles are collected and translated into current vernacular in George-isms: The 110 Rules George Washington Wrote When he was 14 and Lived by all His Life (Atheneum, $7.95; ages 10 and up). These 110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour were collected and circulated in France by Jesuit teachers and first appeared in print in 1595 long before Washington made them famous.The pithy statements reveal historical customs, values, manners, and humor. These rules remind us, for example, "When in company, put not your hands to any part of the body,not usually discovered." And the translation follows: "Don't fidget or scratch your private parts in public.".
There comes a time when students are required to know about government. If a child is on a need to know mission, you want to find the easiest delivery possible. Syl Sobel, one of the directors of the Judicial Center in Washington, DC has been there and his two books show this. The least complex is How the US Government Works: The Executive Branch, The Legislative Branch, The Judicial Branch...and how they all come together (Barron's, $6.95; ages 8-11). He explains the three branches of government, the fedral court system, elections and appointment with younger children in mind. The print is large, and the words, examples, and writing are clear. There are pictures throughout and there's a glossary and index to support new learning.
Sobel's Presidential Elections And Other Cool Facts (Barron's, $6.95; ages 8-12) is more complex. This book is crammed with information, but still written in a way that children can understand. The book is organized to parallel the election process and includes the rules for electoral college, primaries, and campaigning. While there are succint explanations and definitions of a caucus and procedure for succession, there's also trivia that reveals three pairs of relatives who have been president and relates the story of the Chicago Tribune's announcement of Dewey's win.
In these times when principles are questioned more than upheld, it's illuminating to return to our country's beginnings. Award-winning non-fiction writer, Russell Freedman does just that in Give Me Liberty! The Story of the Declaration of Independence (Holiday House, $24.95; ages 9 and up). Freedman tells history like a story. His descriptions, well-selected quotations, and immediacy of style transport readers back in time. Freedman describes the forefathers through their actions, eccentricities and personalities. Men like Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson are introduced in the context of the events leading to, during and after the Revolutionary War when great men were searching for principles to define the new country.
Years ago, I came to admire Dan Gutman who gave a comedic kid-view of politics in his novel, The Kid Who Ran for President which will be released in paperback next month (Scholastic, $4.50) Judd, a sixth grader, is persuaded to run by his best friend because he's got it all. ("You're tall. You've got good hair. People like you.") Its sequel, the equally riotous, The Kid Who Became President (Scholastic, $4.50) is already in paperback.
Now Gutman turns to non-fiction in Landslide! A Kid's Guide to The Elections (Simon and Schuster, $3.99; ages 10-14). "Every four years," he begins his introduction, "the grownups of America go a little crazy." He promises to answer questions in a straight-forward and simple manner and fulfills that promise by giving over a hundred and twenty answers about the presidency, government, campaigning, candidates, voting, and the election. He focuses on subjects that interest kids, like how much it costs to run, or if the candidates hate each other. He does not shy away from the truth. His answer about the lack of female and minority presidents? "In a word, bigotry," he writes. From the basics to hard-hitting issues, he answers with clarity and sincerity, explaining with analogies, and flavoring facts with quotations and anecdotal stories from history. Often his questions seem more like having a dialogue with an author who is really listening.
And that's what we have to remember. Kids are listening and watching and it won't be long before they're voting. If we give them good books that are clear and understandable, inspiring and intriguing, one day they'll care enough to make good choices in candidates.