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.

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.

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

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.

Hank Aaron: Brave in Every Way by Peter Golenbock

Title: Hank Aaron: Brave in Every Way
Author: Peter Golenbock
Illustrator: Paul Lee
Publisher / Date: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt / 2005
Genre: Biography, picture book
Themes: Baseball, sports, famous Americans, Civil Rights
Summary: Hank Aaron loved baseball and had the skills to play for the majors, but back then baseball teams were made up of only white men. This inspiring true story tells how Hank Aaron overcame the odds and eventually even surpassed Babe Ruth's record. 
Curriculum Connections: Grades 2-5 Social Studies: Famous Americans, Civil Rights; Language Arts: Author's Purpose
Notes: Another great example of a well written biography for children.

P is for Peach: A Georgia Alphabet

Title: P is for Peach: A Georgia Alphabet
Author: Carol Crane
Illustrator: Mark Braught
Publisher / Date: Sleeping Bear Press / 2002
Genre: Nonfiction, Picture Book
Themes: Georgia, ABC Books
Summary: Georgia's unique qualities from A to Z are explored through a gentle rhyming text and colorful illustrations. The book is well planned to provide a shorter version for younger readers and a more detailed text for older students that is informative and enjoyable to read. 
Curriculum Connections: Grades Pre K- 3 Social Studies / Geography: Georgia; Language Arts: Beginning Sounds
Notes: Click below for a link to the Teacher's Guide for this book from the publisher
http://www.gale.cengage.com/DiscoverAmerica/guides/GAGuide.pdf

A Picture Book of Harriet Tubman by David Adler

Title: A Picture Book of Harriet Tubman
Author: David A. Adler
Illustrator & Photographer: Samuel Byrd
Publisher / Date: Holiday House, Inc / 1992
Genre: Biography, Picture Book
Themes: Biography, overcoming odds, slavery, history
Summary: Snippets from the life of Harriet Tubman, a slave who became a leader in the Underground Railroad. 
Curriculum Connections: Grades 2-5 Social Studies: Slavery, Underground Railroad; Famous Americans
Notes: Appropriately written biography for children but needs to be supplemented with other biographies about Tubman for a more complete look at Tubmann's life. 

We the People: The Story of Our Constitution by Lynn Cheney

Title: We the People: The Story of Our Constitution
Author: Lynn Cheney
Illustrator: Greg Harlin
Publisher / Date: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing / 2008
Genre: Nonfiction, Picture Book
Themes: United States, constitutional history, government
Summary: Picture book describing the 1787 Philadelphia meetings and framing of the Constitution of the United States.
Curriculum Connections: Grades 3-5 Social Studies: US Constitution, famous Americans
Notes: Beautiful illustrations, rich vocabulary and interesting details make this a great resource for teaching about the US Constitution. See the review by School Library Journal by clicking on the link:  http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6608889.html

Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan by Mary Williams

Title: Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan
Author: Mary Williams
Illustrator: R. Gregory Christie
Publisher / Date: Lee & Low Books, Inc / 2005
Genre: Fiction, Picture Book
Themes: Refugees, Hope, Africa, war, orphans
Summary: Based on a true story. During the aftermath of a civil war in Sudan, an 8 year old boy walks in search of safety to Ethiopia and Kenya with other orphaned boys. Together they find courage and hope to survive. They eventually end up in the US. 
Curriculum Connections: Grades 3-6 Social Studies: History, Africa, Cultures, Refugees; Character Traits: Courage, Diligence, Inner Strength 
Notes: Amazing story appropriately written for children.

So You Want to Be President? by Judith St. George

Title: So You Want to Be President?
Author: Judith St. George
Illustrator: David Small
Publisher / Date: Penguin Group / 2004
Genre: Nonfiction Picture Book
Themes: Presidents, History, Humor
Summary: A humorous but informative look at the public and private lives of US presidents over time. This a an informal nonfiction account of our nation's presidents filled with interesting facts about the presidency.  
Curriculum Connections: Social Studies, Grades 3-8: Presidents, US Government, Electoral Process
Notes: This book is already outdated as it does not include President Obama and states that "no person of color has been president." Still, it is information packed in a humorous, quirky way that students will enjoy. Click on the link below for a great lesson plan using this book (by Scholastic). 
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collateral.jsp?id=798_type=Book_typeId=2649