As we gear up for the forthcoming election, many publishers are offering young readers books centered around civic responsibilities and processes. We’ve rounded up a number of titles out this year for children that highlight the importance of voting.
Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie War by Matthew Swanson, illus. by Robbi Behr (Knopf, Aug., $14.99; ISBN 978-0-593-70464-6). In the sixth installment of the Cookie Chronicles series, student council elections are coming up at Honeycutt Elementary and best friends Ben and Janet become rivals in their pursuit to win.
Calling All Future Voters by Edward A. Hailes Jr., Jennifer Lai-Peterson, and Laura Atkins, illus. by Srimalie Bassani (Gloo, Sept. 17, $19.95; ISBN 978-1-962351-01-0). This picture book aims to show the importance of voting to the forthcoming generation of voters.
The Day Madear Voted by Wade Hudson, illus. by Don Tate (Penguin/Paulsen, July, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-61574-4). In 1959, Charles and Ralph accompany their mother to the polls for her first voting experience. See our conversation between the author and illustrator.
Democracy! A Positive Primer on People Power by Philip Bunting (Bright Light, Aug., $18.99; ISBN 978-1-76121-413-4). This picture book acts as a primer for young readers learning about elections, voting, and political systems.
Ida B. Wells Marches for the Vote by Dinah Johnson, illus. by Jerry Jordan (Little, Brown/Ottaviano, Jan. $18.99; ISBN 978-0-316-32247-8). This picture book highlights the life of suffragist Wells, who grew up in a Black family that was denied the right to vote.
I Voted: Making a Choice Makes a Difference/Yo voté: Tomar una decisión cambia la situación by Mark Shulman, illus. by Serge Bloch (Holiday House/Porter, Jan. $8.99; ISBN 978-0-8234-5104-3; ISBN 978-0-8234-5808-0). Young readers can learn about the concept of voting from both an individual and group perspective in this picture book being released simultaneously in English and Spanish.
A Kids Book About Voting by Next Up (DK, Oct. 1, $19.99; ISBN 978-0-593-95717-2). The latest book in the A Kids Book series offers young readers an approachable guide to voting.
The Leadership Journey by Doris Kearns Goodwin, illus. by Amy June Bates (S&S, Sept. 3 $18.99; ISBN 978-1-66592-572-3). This middle grade offering from historian Goodwin, adapted from her adult bestseller Leadership, provides insight into the upbringing of four U.S. Presidents.
Leo’s First Vote! by Christina Soontornvat, illus. by Isabel Roxas (Knopf, Sept. 3 $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-64426-3). Leo learns the impact of a single vote as his father prepares to vote in his first election as a naturalized U.S. citizen, and his class partakes in a mock election.
Our Congress by Christy Mihaly, illus. by Doruntina Beqiraj (Albert Whitman, Sept 5 $18.99; ISBN 978-0-8075-1240-1). Alice’s mother is elected to the U.S. Senate, and uproots the family’s lives to move to Washington, D.C. A tour through the Capitol shows Alice what makes Congress, and her mother, a special part of the government.
Presidential Elections and Other Cool Facts: Understanding How Our Country Picks Its President (5th Edition) by Syl Sobel (Sourcebooks Explore, July $16.99; ISBN 978-1-4642-2329-7/$9.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-72829-444-5). Young readers learn how this important figure in the U.S. government is elected to office.
Represent: The Unfinished Fight for the Vote by Michael Eric Dyson and Marc Favreau (Little, Brown, Sept. 10 $19.99 ISBN 978-0-7595-5706-2). Dyson and Favreau trace the many battles across American history for the right to vote, from the American Revolution through today.
Show Up and Vote by Ani Di Franco, illus. by Rachelle Baker (Rise x Penguin Workshop, Aug. $18.99; ISBN 978-0-593-38377-3). Singer and activist Di Franco has written a picture book that follows a girl and her mother on their way to a voting booth.
Speaking of America by Jarden Cohen, illus. by Vivian Shih (Atheneum, Sept. 10 $19.99; ISBN 978-1-66592-226-5). Utilizing quotes from former presidents, Cohen showcases how American values have evolved throughout history.
Stacey Speaks Up by Stacey Abrams, illus. by Kitt Thomas (HarperCollins, Sept. 24 $19.99; ISBN 978-0-06-327187-6). In the third book in the Stacey’s Remarkable Books series by the former Georgia state representative, young Stacey learns that some of her classmates cannot afford to eat lunch and works with her community to advocate for them.
We Shall Not Be Denied: A Timeline of Voting Rights and Suppression in America by Cayla Bellanger DeGroat and Cicely Lewis (Lerner, Sept. 10 $11.99; ISBN 979-8-7656-2918-5). This picture book traces the many fights for different communities’ right to vote.
Your Vote Matters: How Americans Elect the President by Rebecca Katzman, illus. by Ellen Duda (Scholastic, May 7 $21.99; ISBN 978-1-339-04650-1). For readers with questions on how the president is elected, this guide offers a step-by-step guide on everything from campaigning to voting.
