The Power of Story During an Election

As an educator, election season is one of my favorite times of the year because of the opportunities for authentic learning experiences it provides. What better time to teach our students the power of exercising our right to vote than election  day? And what better way to teach this than through the power of story? 

Consider hosting a mock election with storybook characters as candidates. (See book list below for ideas.) Encourage students to consider what character traits they feel are most important in a candidate. Brainstorm each candidate's character traits as evidenced in the stories. Engage students in the planning of the voting event by making voting boxes, ballots, forming campaign teams for favored storybook characters, advertising election day details and counting the votes. *School librarians: Use this opportunity to host a school-wide mock election with storybook characters as candidates. Post or announce election updates throughout the day (or week) as each class votes.

Check out some of the election-themed children's books in the list below. These thoughtfully written children's books are the perfect conversation starters for discussing the importance of elections and the power of exercising the right to vote.

I Need My Own Country by Rick Walton is perfect as a read aloud for K-2 students as well as students in grades 3-6. Frustrated by her little brother, a young girl decides to form her own country, make her own currency and her own flag. She soon realizes the importance of citizenship in her country and the need for rules and laws. 

The Class Election from the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler will pull the young chapter book reader in with familiar humorous characters from the Black Lagoon. Readers will explore the importance of candidates standing up for what they believe in as characters in this story must choose the offices for which they will run.

Duck for President by Doreen Cronin is an enjoyable read aloud that is sure to spark meaningful discussion among students young and old. Duck is tired of the way Farmer Brown is running the farm so he decides to do something about it by running for office. (See video featuring this book at top of blog post.)

Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio is a suitable read aloud for students in grades K-6. Grace, determined that there should be a female presidents, decides to run for president at her school's election. Grace for President would be a great introduction for an upper elementary lesson on the electoral system.

Nonfiction Picture Books: Earthquakes and Tsunamis

It's hard to miss the many news media reports about the extreme devastation surrounding the March 11th earthquake and tsunami in Japan. As newscasts continue to report 24/7 on the disaster, teachers are seeking resources for connecting current events with the science curriculum and making the most of teachable moments. Thinkfinity.org has an excellent collection of resource links for teachers about earthquakes and tsunamis as well as multiple lessons on the topic. You can check out Thinkfinity's resources on Earthquakes and Tsunamis here. Below are some excellent children's books about earthquakes and tsunamis that will help answer questions about what causes these natural disasters in an age appropriate way. I have included a picture book, Elephants of the Tsunami by Jana Laiz, which is based on a true story. This particular text would be a great read aloud for younger children to spark discussion about the recent earthquake in Japan. After learning of the devastation in Japan, students (and teachers) will likely want to know how they can help in relief efforts. Time Newsfeed lists several ways we can help.

Earthquakes by Editors of Time for Kids
(2006)  Grades K-2

Earthquakes by Seymour Simon
(2006) Grades 4-6

Earthquakes by Franklyn Branley
(2005) Grades K-3

Tsunami: The True Story of an
 April Fool's Day Disaster
by Gail Langer Larwoski and John MacDonald
(2006) Grades 4-7

Elephants of the Tsunami by Jana Laiz
(2007) Grades K-2
*Based on a true story.

All Kinds of Friends, Even Green! by Ellen B. Senisi

Moses' class has been talking about friendship. When his teacher asks the class to pick a friend to write about, Moses thinks about his many friends including his classmates, his parents, his teacher and even green his friends, Zaki and Hashi, the pet iguanas that live next door. Moses spins the wheels of his wheel chair as the wheels in his head keep spinning with ideas about which friend he will write about. In the end, Moses decides to write about Zaki, the iguana with no back toes. He says, "I think that's what I really like about Zaki. She figures out how to get where she wants to be in different ways than Hashi does. She's like me. I like Zaki and I think she likes me back."

Ellen Senisi's colorful photographs show children from a variety of cultures with diverse needs in an familiar environment every child can relate to: the classroom. Her story leads us through Moses' thought process as he tries to decide what to write about. Ellen Senisi is known for her beautifully photographed children's books and stock photography that celebrate diversity, children with special needs and inclusion.  

Literature Connections: This would be a great book to share as a read aloud for a discussion starter about friendship, diversity and special needs. It would also be an excellent choice to use for a mini lesson about the writing process and selecting a topic using the example of Moses' thought process as he decides what to write about. 

Recommended Age: PreK through elementary

Goal! by Mina Javaherbin

No one likes to be bullied, including Ajani and his football (soccer) buddies in South Africa. Mina Javaherbin's story is one in which children all across the globe can relate. Ajani and his friends live in poverty. Their homes are shanties. Their street is unsafe. They have little time to play between school and daily chores. But when they do find time to play, they find escape and hope in a simple game of football. They know the bullies will come again and try to take their ball. But for today they have outsmarted the bullies. Today there will be kicking, running, scoring and laughter.
     This 2010 large picture book is a winner not only for it's high interest level, but for the gentle yet realistic way of handling difficult issues like poverty and bullying  for young readers. A.G. Ford's illustrations are full of color and energy while also showing a range of emotions throughout the story.
     Literature Connections: K-5, Language Arts, Guidance, Geography, Social Studies, Physical Educaiton: Goal! would make a great discussion starter for poverty and global citizenship as well as character traits and life skills such as perseverance, overcoming obstacles and dealing with bullies.This book would be an excellent choice for a language arts mini lesson on conflict and resolution. The author's notes at the end of the book would make a great physical education tie-in about the history of football/ soccer.

Travel Team by Mike Lupica

Title: Travel Team
Author: Mike Lupica
Publisher / Date: Penguin Group / 2005 (Reprint)
Genre: Young Adult Novel, Fiction
Themes: Sports, Overcoming Odds, Family Relationships, Friendship
Summary: Danny lives with his single mom and has always been small for his age. At 12 he wants nothing more than to be taller and make the travel basket ball team. He can deal with his height, but dealing with not making the travel team is another issue. His father, a one time basketball star, is dealing with his own disappointment after being injured in a car accident. He will never play again as a pro, but decides to put his passion for the game into forming a new team for Danny and others who should have made the travel team but were unfairly cut from the team.
Curriculum Connections: Language Arts: Leisure Reading
Notes: Contains realistic language including an occasional curse word. Lupica has a natural talent for hooking the interest of boys, especially those who tend to be reluctant to read on their own. Click here to visit the author's website and to find similar titles.  *The author's website also has a video of a recent interview with Lupica on the Today Show. 

Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles

Title: Freedom Summer
Author: Deborah Wiles
Illustrator: Jarome Laqarrique
Publisher / Date: Simon & Schuster / 2005
Genre: Historical fiction; picture book
Themes: Civil Rights, friendship, discrimination, segregation, history
Summary:  Joe and his friend, John Henry enjoy spending the summer together as buddies. These good friends are alike in a lot of ways and enjoy many of the same things, like playing marbles and swimming. Set in 1964 in Mississippi, Joe and John Henry experience first hand the effects of discrimination. The boys decide to go swimming at the pool only to discover that John Henry is not allowed because of the color of his skin.  They become hopeful once the Civil Rights Act is passed but quickly learn that the new law will not bring on instant change.
Curriculum Connections: Grades 2-5: Social Studies, Civil Rights
Personal Note: I attended a recent author visit by Deborah Wiles in which she explained that this story is a work of fiction but it is based on events from her own life. This is a moving story appropriately written for children about this historic time in our nation's history. 

Naming Liberty by Jane Yolen

Title: Naming Liberty
Author: Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Jim Burke
Publisher / Date: Philomel / 2008
Genre: Historical Fiction, Picture Book
Themes: History, Freedom, Immigrants, Social Studies
Summary: Yolen weaves parallel stories in this beautifully illustrated picture book. While telling the true story of how the Statue of Liberty was built, she also tells the story of a young Jewish girl from Ukraine and how her family came to America. As they journey to the new land of freedom, she ponders what her American name will sound like. She is welcomed to America first by the Statue of Liberty and decides to share her name: Liberty, or Libby, for short. 
Curriculum Connections: Upper Elementary: Social Studies (coming to America, religious freedom, significance of the gift of the Statue of Liberty and how and why it was made) 
Notes: The parallel story format of this book may be confusing to younger readers, but provides a fantastic historical picture for upper elementary students.

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

Title: Esperanza Rising
Author: Pam Munoz Ryan
Publisher / Date: Scholastic / 2002
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Themes: Overcoming the odds, Mexican Revolution, Great Depression
Summary: Esperanza is the only child of a wealthy Mexican farmer. During the aftermath of the Mexican Revolution her father is killed. Esperanza and her mother face many hardships and tragedy which leads them to seek new life in California as they work and live at Mexican farm labor camp. Esparanza is challenged to find a strength she didn't know she had to care for her mother and herself in a new place during the Great Depression.
Curriculum Connections: Social Studies / History: Grades 4-8: Mexican Revolution, Great Depression
Notes: This book is categorized "YA" or "Teen" but would also be appropriate for ages 9+. Pam Munoz Ryan's website has some great links for curriculum connections on the Mexican Revolution, recipes that pertain to the story, discussion guide for the book, and teacher and student notes from the author. http://www.pammunozryan.com/esper.html

Fortunately by Remy Charlip

Title: Fortunately
Author: Remy Charlip
Publisher / Date: Aladdin / 1993 (originally published in 1964)

Genre: Fiction, Picture Book
Theme: language, birthday
Summary: Charlip's creative story using an alternating pattern of "Fortunately..." / "Unfortunately" events. 
Curriculum Connections: K-4 Language Arts (creative writing)

Notes: Wonderful read aloud, esp. Can be effectively used as a lead-in to a "fortunately / unfortunately" creative writing activity. Interesting fact: In 1969 the title was changed from Fortunately to "What Good Luck; What Bad Luck" then eventually it was changed back to the original title. 

Skippyjon Jones Lost in Spice by Judy Schachner

Title: Skippyjon Jones Lost in Spice
Author / Illustrator: Judy Schachner
Publisher / Date: Penguin Group / 2009
Genre: Fiction, picture book
Themes: Space, animals, humor, Spanish
Summary: Skippyjon Jones is a quirky cat with big ears who thinks he is a dog. Skippy also thinks Mars is covered with spicy red pepper. As he sets off to prove that the planet is red because of the spices, he encounters one humorous adventure after another. The play on words and mixture of English and Spanish add to the humor.
Curriculum Connection: Grades K-2 Science: Read this book aloud as an interest builder for a unit on space; leisure reading
Notes: Visit Skippyjon Jones online at http://skippyjonjones.com/

The Lightening Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) by Rick Riordian

Title: The Lightening Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians)
Author: Rick Riordian
Publisher / Date: Disney Book Group / 2010
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Themes: Adventure, Fantasy, Greek Mythology
Summary: 12 year old Percy Jackson has been moved from school to school and labeled a trouble maker. Thought to have ADHD, Percy has never met his father and feels misunderstood. While at boarding school, Percy is surrounded by strange happenings, including his pre-algebra teacher turning into a flying monster that tries to kill him and discovering his best friend is a satyr. Percy soon finds himself on the way to "summer camp" where his mother says he will be safe. In order to get there he must first fight a Minotaur and save his friend from danger. Once at Camp Half-blood, Percy pieces together enough information to discover that his father is a Greek god and he is considered a half-blood. He soon learns that the Greek gods are alive and angry in modern day America. Percy is accused of stealing Zues's lightening bolt and must prove his innocence while also trying to bring peace and end the war between the gods.
Curriculum Connections: Grades 5-9: Greek Mythology; Literature: character development
(See the author's website link below for project ideas and more curriculum connections)
Notes: Action Packed! Be aware that some readers / parents may not like the paganism and violence portrayed in the book. See the author's website for a teacher's guide to the book, unit lesson plans, readers' guides, and a well written curriculum rationale for using The Lightening Thief in the classroom, a Readers' Theater short intro script based on the book, project ideas and video interviews with the author. 
http://www.rickriordan.com/index.php/books-for-children/a-teachers-guide-to-percy/

14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy

Title: 14 Cows for America
Author: Carmen Agra Deedy
Illustrator: Thomas Gonzalez
Afterward by: Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah
Publisher / Date: Peachtree Publishers, Limited / 2009
Genre: Nonfiction Picture Book
Themes: tragedy, loss, compassion, sympathy, global community, generosity, 9/11, storytelling, Maasai culture, friendship, symbolism
Summary: Following the tragedy of September 11, 2001, the Maasai in Kenya grieve for America and the impact this tragedy has on the world. The Maasai show their amazing compassion by an extraordinary gift of 14 cows for America. (The cow is life to the Maasai.) 
Curriculum Connections: Social Studies: Grades 3+: 9/11; African cultures; Language Arts: Creative writing
Notes: This is an extraordinary true story of compassion across cultures with amazing paintings by illustrator Thomas Gonzalez. Click on the link below to visit the website about the book, see a trailer about the book, find links for teachers including a teachers' guide and lesson ideas. http://14cowsforamerica.com/

Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez

Title: Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez
Author: Kathleen Krull
Illustrator: Yuyi Morales
Publisher / Date: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt / 2003
Genre: Biography, Picture Book
Themes: Biography, Hope, Overcoming Odds, Civil Rights, Hispanic, Leadership
Summary: In 1937 Cesar was 10 years old and his family owned a large farm. After a drought left them with little work, food and money, they moved to California in search of work. Cesar's family went from being wealthy land owners to being migrant workers on on other people's farms. As Cesar grew older, he saw the oppression of his people and wanted to do something about it. In his efforts to bring about change, he never forgot that "nonviolence... takes more guts." He helped organize a civil rights march, meetings and an organization promoting pay raises and better conditions for migrant workers.
Curriculum Connections: Grades 3-5 Social Studies: Civil Rights
Notes: This is a must read for Civil Rights unit! Well written, beautifully illustrated. 

March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World by Christine King Farris

Title: March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World
Author: Christine King Farris
Illustrator: London Ladd
Publisher / Date: Scholastic, Inc. / 2008
Genre: Nonfiction, Picture Book
Themes: Civil Rights, History, Famous Americans
Summary: Martin Luther King Jr.'s sister tells the story of the historical day of MLK's famous "I Have a Dream" speech. This story offers a behind the scenes look at MLK preparation of the great speech and what that day was like for his sister.
Curriculum Connections: Grades 3-5 Social Studies: Civil Rights, Famous Americans
Notes: Amazing full color illustrations! Wonderfully told from a unique perspective. 

Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote

Title: Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote
Author: Tanya Lee Stone
Illustrator: Rebecca Gibbon
Publisher / Date: Henry Holt & Co. / 2008
Themes: Women's suffrage, history, biography
Genre: Nonfiction, picture book
Summary: This biography of Elizabeth Cady Stanton follows Elizabeth from the time she was a child and the events that influenced her to stand up for women's right to vote. The author and illustrator's creativity blend well to portray an intriguing biography that even young readers will enjoy. 
Curriculum Connections: Grades K-5, Social Studies: Women's suffrage, civil rights
Notes: This is a remarkable picture book biography that would make a great read aloud, especially for grades 2-5.