Best Kids' Books About Elections, Politics, and Voting

'Vote!'

Eileen Christelow's exuberant illustrations and the comic book style lend themselves well to this story about an election. While the example here is about the campaign and election of a mayor, Christelow covers the major components in any election for public office and provides lots of bonus information as well. The inside front and back cover feature election facts, games, and activities. Best suited for ages 8 to 12.

'Running for Public Office'

This nonfiction account of the process of running for public office is best for upper elementary students, particularly for Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. Written by Sarah De Capua, it is part of the "A True Book" series. The book is divided into five chapters and covers everything from "What Is a Public Office?" to "Election Day". There is a helpful index and a great many color photographs that enhance the text.

'Vote'

"Vote" (DK Eyewitness Books) by Philip Steele is much more than a book about voting in the United States. Instead, in a little over 70 pages, using many illustrations, Steele looks at elections around the world and covers why people vote, the roots and growth of democracy, the American Revolution, the revolution in France, slavery, the industrial age, votes for women, World War I, the rise of Hitler, racism and the civil rights movement, modern struggles, systems of democracy, party politics, systems of representation, elections and how they work, Election Day, struggles and protests, world facts and figures about democracy, and more.

The book is too short for more than a brief overview of these topics, but between the many photographs and charts and the text, it does a nice job of providing an international look at democracies and elections. The book comes with a CD of annotated photographs and/or clip art related to each chapter, which is a nice addition. Recommended for ages 9 to 14.

'So You Want to Be President?'

Judith St. George is the author of "So You Want to Be President?" which she has revised and updated several times. The illustrator, David Small, received the 2001 Caldecott Medal for his irreverent caricatures. The 52-page book includes information about each president of the United States, accompanied by one of Small’s illustrations. Best for ages 9 to 12.

'Duck for President'

Farmer Brown's farmyard animals, first introduced in Doreen Cronin's "Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type," are at it again. This time, Duck is tired of all the work on the farm and decides to hold an election so he can be in charge of the farmyard. While he wins the election, he still has to work hard, so he decides to run for governor and then president. Perfect for 4- to 8-year-olds, the text and Betsy Cronin's lively illustrations are a riot.

'Max for President'

Max and Kelly are running for class president at their elementary school. The campaign is a busy one, with speeches, posters, buttons, and lots of outlandish promises. When Kelly wins the election, Max is disappointed until she selects him to be her vice president. A great book for 7- to 10-year-olds, it was written and illustrated by Jarrett J. Krosoczka.

'With Courage and Cloth: Winning the Fight for a Woman's Right to Vote'

This children's nonfiction book by Ann Bausum focuses on the 1913–1920 time period, the final years of the struggle for women's right to vote. The author sets the historical context for the struggle and then goes into detail about how the right to vote for women was won. The book contains many historical photographs, a chronology, and profiles of a dozen women who fought for women's voting rights. Best recommended for 9- to 14-year-olds.