Recommended Political Reads for Kids

The recommended political reads for kids (ages 4-up) highlighted below are from Jennifer Nicholson, Media Specialist at Gaithersburg Elementary School.

“What Does the President Look Like” by Jane Hampton Cook, Illustrated by Adam Ziskie
This book explains how people would know what the president looked like at different times throughout history (painting, photograph, cartoons, newsreel, TV, internet, etc.). It includes interesting information about  people who documented the presidents (artists, photographers, etc.) and how the technologies changed over time. The book also includes information of the effect of the internet and notes that Barack Obama is the first president to carry a smartphone. Ages 5-9.

“If I Ran for President” by Catherine Stier, Illustrated by Lynne Avril
This book lays out the requirements for being president and how the Electoral College works in the foreword. Throughout the book, a group of children explain what they would do if they were running for president. A lot of information is offered about campaigning, primaries, debates, parties, conventions and voting, all in kid-friendly language. Grades 1-3.

“Vote!” by Eileen Christelow
“Vote!” is a book that describes a mayoral campaign. Each page includes a few sentences explaining different aspects of campaigning and the voting process. The illustrations are set up in a graphic novel format which includes speech bubbles that add to the story. Dogs Sparky and Elmer narrate parts of the story. The book includes a glossary, timeline, and additional resources at the back of the book. Ages 6-10

“So You Want to Be President?” by Judith St. George, Illustrated by David Small
This Caldecott Award-winning book provides information about all of our presidents. The comical illustrations show their presidents at their best and worst (Taft being lowered into his extra-large bathtub). There are anecdotes about their lives and presidencies as well as interesting facts (6 presidents were named James, 8 presidents were born in log cabins, Abe Lincoln was tallest, James Madison the smallest). This book was originally published in 2000, but an updated and revised edition was released for the 2012 election cycle. Ages 7-up.

“Duck for President” by Doreen Cronin, Illustrated by Betsey Lewin
From the creators of the popular, “Click, Clack, Moo,” this book tells of the story of a duck who is unhappy with the way the farm is being run. He holds an election and wins, but soon decides that running a farm is too hard, so he’d like to run for governor. Being governor is also too hard, so he decides to run for president. Once he becomes president he decides that being president is also too much work, so he looks in the help wanted ads and decides to become a… Ages 5-up.

“Madam President” by Lane Smith
This is wonderful story from the talented author/illustrator Lane Smith. The book follows a little girl who is pretending to be president and demonstrates many of the duties, responsibilities and privileges of the president. She negotiates a peace treaty between the dog and cat, chooses a cabinet, vetoes the tuna casserole and cleans up a disaster (her room). Ages 4-8.

“Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought)” by Kathleen Krull, Illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt
This collective biography of the presidents was originally published in 1998, but was updated in 2011, so it includes all 44 of our presidents. Each president is profiled in this book with interesting details about their lives and time in office. A caricature-type portrait accompanies each biography and the presidents are shown with some of their important items or family members. Some presidents have several pages devoted to them, while others receive just a few paragraphs. Did you know that Calvin Coolidge walked around with a raccoon around his neck and rode a mechanical horse almost every day? Or that Harry Truman read every book in his public library by the age of 15, brought three pianos to the White House and hated the telephone? Ages 8-13.

EDITOR’S NOTE/UPDATE: We’d also like to mention/recommend “Presidential Elections and Other Cool Facts” by Syl Sobel, an author who has participated in both the 2010 and 2011 Gaithersburg Book Festival.