The IMPORTANCE of the VOTE!

 

If you are reading this on the day it posts, our national midterm election date is just a bit more than four weeks away. The truth, though, is that the time to vote is NOW. This is NOT my endorsement of any candidate at any level, but it is my genuinely desperate plea that anyone reading here makes sure to VOTE. We each need to  facilitate the ability to VOTE in anyone else we know.

First, make sure you are still registered correctly. Many states have purged voters roles, or perhaps you've moved or been a student and changed status or location. Registration online is available in all states. Tell others about this concern and help them navigate the process.

Next, don't wait for election day. If a problem arises, at in-person early voting or by absentee, allow as much time as possible to rectify the situation and assure that your vote will be counted. Worries about ICE or other uniformed observers at the ballot places is reduced with early voting. Early voting by mail or in person is currently underway in many states. Check out the possibilities where you are registered and make use of the best ways to avoid concerns about lines or interference of any kind.

Finally, if mail-in voting has you concerned, make a plan to get your ballot to an official ballot drop-off box. That bypasses any possibility of your mailed vote somehow being batch-rejected or otherwise returned without enough time to correct an error.

All of this is in red font because I intend it as a legitimate alert, a caution, a call to stand up and assure that your right to vote is not lost. I truly never thought that would be threatened in my lifetime. The fact is that generations of Americans have fought and died, debated and legislated to assure that every American citizen has the RIGHT and PROTECTION to vote their will gave me confidence. And yet this central right of citizenship is under pressure, even threat. That is truly heartbreaking. Once you've assured your own right to vote and made your plan, add to your actions the intentional sharing of books about voting. Here are two. Both model engaging young people with your personal and family voting practices to assure the rights for future generations. 

PENGUIN WORKSHOP - RISE,  2024

SHOW UP AND VOTE  is written by Ani Di Franco with art by Rachelle Baker. The text begs to be read aloud, capturing the pacing and propulsive persuasion of a rap poem and the informality/voice of a childlike e. e. cummings. The full-bleed double spread scenes immerse readers in a day-in-the-life of the narrator and her mother within their community of color and commitment. Election Day, in fact. The processes of identification, line-waiting, and interactions effectively elevate what some might view as a chore or mundane, even unimportant activity. It becomes valued, something that matters.

This is not achieved by preaching or didactic dialogue but through the young narrator's observations, analysis, and clever awareness of details connecting to her emotional reactions. Her Mama serves as role model but also in a partnership/mentorship mode, expanding their singular situation with reminders of the exponential forces when each and every other voter is also making mindful selections. The conclusion is authentically satisfying as the pair return through their urban neighborhood and the child recognizes the interconnection of previously taken-for-granted aspects of their life. 

VOTE FOR OUR FUTURE

The Power of Voice: Two Picture Book Models

Ask anyone who writes, or teaches writing, and you'll quickly hear that VOICE is the feature of literature that most often captures the attention of readers, editors, and agents. And yet, when speakers are asked to elaborate, their frequent response is "I know it when I read it." 

Well, that's not especially helpful, even if it is true. In my recent review of THE LONGEST LETSGOBOY, (HERE) it was the author's amazing interpretation of a dog's voice that gained my praise. That book  is a fiction offering that reveals important truths about life.

In nonfiction picture books, VOICE also resonates, often through the author's attitude, style, or point of view. That was particularly true in the recent post about THE WORLD'S MOST POINTLESS BOOK ABOUT ANIMALS (HERE). VOICE can capture attention and engage readers, even mentor them in their own approaches to writing with a distinctive voice that evokes   connections and emotions.

VOICE, though, can be quite literal. It can refer to the capacity of an individual to express their identity, their needs, their values. Sadly, in real life, VOICES from outside the mainstream are too easily ignored. These two titles celebrate (and inform us about) readers using those voices, including  children and underrepresented members of society.

Workman Publishing, 2021

HEAR MY VOICE/ESCUCHA MI VOZ : The Testimonies of Children Detained at the Southern Border of the United States is compiled by Warren Binford and illustrated by Michael Garcia Bochenek. As the title indicates, this resulted from a project meant to assure that at least some of the actual young people who have been/are being detained at our border could speak about the experience from their deeply personal and individual experiences. What's more, the book guarantees that their voices will be heard and will persist across time. As they should be.

With a brief introduction to explain the project, a few spreads indicate colorfully illustrated speakers offering their own names, then their individual homelands. The very natural next lines indicate the HOW and WHY of their journeys, with the accompanying emotional reactions along the way. With speakers ranging from tots to teens, depicted in various detention settings, the emerging questions and concerns are shockingly ordinary. Until they are not. Their simple statements reveal ways in which life in detention is dehumanizing and even terrifying, not to mention leaving them hungry, cold, tired, and even sick. These simply-stated facts combine with illustrations that are slightly comic-style, but with tones and perspectives that enhance understanding and connections of mind, body, and emotions. 

There is a center-switch design, allowing readers to enter the book from the English text or the Spanish text by flipping the book upside down to read again. The contributing voices are named and featured in the alternate-facing center spread, and the words are theirs. The compiling author opens the story (in both approaches) with a vow of truth that sounds very much like a declaration in court. These are the actual words (and voices) of the children (detainees) they interviewed for the project. 

HARPER (HCH), 2021

Next up is SHARICE'S BIG VOICE: A Native Kid Becomes a Congresswoman, co-authored by Sharice Davids with Nancy K. Mays. Narrated in Congresswoman Sharice Davids's first person voice, she reflects on the stages in her life that led to her current elected position. As a Native/indigenous woman she describes the powerful influence of witnessing her mother using her voice in conversation, especially with strangers. Sharice was a talker, too, enough so that it sometimes got her into trouble in school. Even so, her curiosity, her opinions, and her growing awareness of her Ho-Chunk heritage  revealed that their identity is PEOPLE OF THE BIG VOICE. (Learn more HERE).

While studtying in college she had many jobs that required her to problem solve, to listen, and to find resolutions. Those years included training in Jujitsu, Tae Kwon Do, Capoeira, and mixed martial arts, building confidence, her competitive spirit, and reinforcing her mother's example of hard work leading to success. She describes becoming a lawyer, serving Native communities, and eventually working in the White House. Throughout her law career she learned how laws are made and also how rarely those making the laws understand the impact they would have on ordinary people. The closing pages reveal her grassroots campaign to become a lawmaker, leading to her election to Congress where her big voice could speak on behalf of those forgotten people.

Back matter includes notes from the authors, as well as several pages of information about Ho-Chunk Nation. Throughout this simply-told account there are personal insights that will connect with kids (she HATES onions on pizza!). The illustrations by Ojibwe Woodland artist Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley use strong, earthy tones in high-contrast colors, emphasizing geometric shapes and other Native references with bold black lines in powerful postures and profiles throughout.

These distinctly different nonfiction offerings have many important things in common. Both provide intensely personal looks at the power of using voice to gain justice and to resolve problems. Both indicate that using voice does not always result in being heard. Both point out that whose voice is heard can all too often depend on the amount of power they have, or don't. And on the color of their skin.

And both are outstanding nominees for CYBILS AWARDS in elementary nonfiction. 

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DEMOCRACY! TUESDAY, September 15, 2020

 Tuesday, September 15, is designated by the United Nations as INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DEMOCRACY. You can learn more about that HERE. This post features two books that explore the role of ELECTIONS in a functional democracy. << This link << is a wordy description of the central role of free and fair elections in actual democracies, as offered by our US State Department. For a more kid-friendly approach to the subject, PLEASE click>>, explore, and share the interactive educational website created by Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor after she retired, iCIVICS. 

Albert Whitman & Co. 2020

A very recent picture book release targets readers from preschool through primary ages. Both text and images will work well with older elementary kids, too. A VOTE IS A POWERFUL THING is written by Catherine Stier and illustrated by Courtney Dawson. The author's dedication frames the story: "To those with the courage and commitment to change the world."

The first person narrator presents as a white girl in a diverse and enthusiastic classroom of kids who are learning what it means to vote. More importantly, they are focusing on the WHY of voting as much or more than the HOW. The teacher offers to conduct election campaigns, but only if the candidates or issues really matter. Choosing where their next field trip will be certainly matters to those classroom kids. One of the two options is narrator Callie's favorite place, the Wildlife Reserve, but that will be a tough sell compared to a tour of a Cookie Factory. 

Callie takes on the challenge of convincing enough voters to choose the Wilderness Park trip. In the process, she reflects, writes, researches, makes posters, gives speeches, and ultimately overcomes the lure of free cookie samples in a tie-breaker result! (More evidence that every vote matters.) Her success and the newfound fans of the Wilderness Park lead Callie and friends to become active in a community campaign to support the Wilderness Park. Simple back matter provides further facts about who can vote, how to vote, and a timeline of voting rights in USA. This is followed by a short note indicating sources Callie might have used to research the importance of wilderness parks, followed by a short bibliography.

Penguin Random House, 2018

WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT ELECTIONS, written by Ruby Shamir and illustrated by Matt Faulkner, is a great source for established readers to continue learning about elections and why they matter. This sixty-page nonfiction book has a low word count and lots of page appeal. It provides perspective, accessible explanations, and colorful  illustrations that take readers to the earliest days of voting in a brand new democracy, the United States of America

The contrast between early voting days and 2020 voting is stark. The lively holiday spirit of those original election days included bonfires, picnics, parades, and community gatherings. Our climate (at the time of this writing) is just the opposite, with various voter-suppression actions reported in the news on a daily basis. Modern day proposals could make election day work-free (as a holiday or on a weekend), provide universal registration, expand vote-by-mail, and other approaches, none of which are gaining traction within a polarized political climate. 

Illustrator Matt Faulkner depicts vibrant, diverse, and energized members of communities in various scenes, which should spark discussions about the who/what/and why of eligibility and access to voting throughout our history, as well as the evolving access to wider representation by becoming a candidate in elections. The inset boxes of useful related facts are brief and relevant to the body of the text, with back matter including a timeline and author's note. This is one of a series of titles exploring related topics (FREEDOM, FIRST LADIES, and AMERICANS).  

The focus in this and the first picture book is on the role of elections in this country. Older readers would do well to investigate elections throughout global democracies in history and in current events. Comparing those practices, changes over time, and election integrity might invite discussions about ways we Americans can better preserve free and fair elections.

I recommend use of both books by teachers and parents, with plenty of conversation connecting these reliable factual sources to reliable factual content about our current election. Speaking of current elections, UW-Madison is offering  a one day on-line program with a wealth of resources on this topic. In the midst of exhausting back-to-school lives, it's worth at least taking a a look at what they include even though it is on a Saturday, September 26. Parents and teachers, give this a look to help raise informed citizens, please. The future of Democracy is in their hands.

Anchor in time: Covid 19, Black Lives Matter, and why not throw in election conflicts (just for this post, given the topic).

My worry increases about the rising denial/dismissal of the seriousness of Covid 19. How hard can it be to wear a mask and respect physical distance? Pretty hard, it seems. This weekend the USA-based Covid death toll reached 200,000, and is still climbing. I will not comment about how political leadership/decisions had the potential to keep that number lower. *Sigh*

Black Lives Matter protests continue. locally and around the country. As televised sports resume, athletes and whole teams are using their visible platforms to express support and maintain awareness. Women's US Open Champion Naomi  Osaka wore a series of black masks bearing the names of individuals who died at the hands of police at each appearance. NFL games resumed with the Texans and Chief locking arms at the center of the field, but were met with BOOS from the limited ticket holders. BOOS for unity, before any flags or pledges or songs occurred. *Sigh*

Elections: Here in Wisconsin the mandated deadline for mailing out ballots for the November election is September 17 for those who requested them, and September 19 for those serving in the military. Sadly, our state Supreme Court delayed a decision about a challenge from the Green Party candidates, which means ballots cannot be mailed until that decision is made. The deadline could easily be missed, and ballots may not be returned in time to be counted in the election. Curious about that? Here's one report. An update: ON the morning that this post went live, the WI Supreme Court determined that changing the ballots at this point would endanger the election process.  I'm celebrating one step forward in protecting voting rights. 

Election Picture Books: Vote for Monsters, Ducks, and Teachers!

The primary debates have begun. Whether you're anticipating the coming presidential campaign hoopla with glee or grimaces, kids will be viewing a flood of media on the topic. Take a  proactive approach to help them learn that elections, civic responsibilities, and campaign issues are about more than ranting, self-serving, and attacks. If we are to have any hope of sustaining a true democracy, it's essential for young people to see government as something other than a warped and orchestrated reality show. 
To make those discussions age-appropriate and FUN, here's a new release and several favorite picture books to launch you on your way. It's both sad and ironic that books featuring a monster and a duck as candidates may offer more legitimate discussions of democracy than actual campaign media.

Mighty Media Kids, 2015

First up is MONSTER NEEDS YOUR VOTE, written by Paul Czajak and illustrated by Wendy Grieb,  hot off the press just in time for the fall campaigns. This is not Monster's first starring role in a book, but he certainly has ambitions. If you love candy (or power of any kind) why not run for president? Then you can have and do anything you want, right?
This story suggests that his monster-ous persona turns off voters and his promises aren't enough to win them back to his side. 
Monster's visual qualities combine "scary" elements with an awkwardly winning smile, expressive eyes and eyebrows, and soft, fuzzy colors. Metaphors for actual candidates abound. Anyone seen as "perfect" should be viewed with a strong dose of skepticism. Candidates are flawed humans, and it is up to voters to do the analytics needed to evaluate and select the one(s) who can best lead our communities, digging deeper than appearances and campaign slogans..
Monster's kid-sidekick plays an essential role in helping Monster redefine public service as his mission. There's potential for comparing this to the traditional EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES, too, in which those in power are blinded by flattery and it takes an honest kid to see and proclaim the truth.
Touch-points of reality include underfunded libraries and schools, and Constitutional requirements for becoming president. Kids who have met Monster in earlier titles will welcome this one, and those who meet him for the first time here will want to read about his other adventures. The conclusion of this story sets a fine example that individuals can "campaign" for their worthwhile causes without running for public office. 

Simon and Schuster, 2004

DUCK FOR PRESIDENT, written by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Betsy Lewin 
Titles produced by this author/illustrator/cast of characters-combo have become classics, making Duck's exploits and ambitions even more appealing. The animal antics in this series aren't just comic, but are recognizably human and universal. If you've ever asked someone (of any age) what they would do if they were president, their responses are likely to be as cluelessly-warped in their assumptions as Duck's  and Monster's are. 
Fun discussions of that question after sharing these books will be an ideal preliminary to sharing the next offering.

Dutton Juvenile, 2004

MY TEACHER FOR PRESIDENT, is written by Kay Winters and illustrated by Denise Brunkus. The premise here is that students nominate their teacher to be president, offering concrete examples of her practices and values that PROVE she would be the best possible president. 
Facing spreads display the teacher in classroom settings and then applying the same judgment and character traits in a presidential role.
There are plenty of laughs (or at least chuckles) in these pages, along with recognition and analysis of the way character traits and habitual practices have value in every day lives. 

Bloomsbury Books, 2012, with updates

For older readers don't miss Susan E. Goodman's SEE HOW THEY RUN: Campaign Dreams, Election Schemes, and the Race to the Whitehouse. Goodman's thorough and resourced research offers page after page of election anecdotes and expanded stories that seem too incredible to be true. As they say, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, they are! Illustrator Elwood H. Smith brings to hilarious life these ludicrous but illuminating historic vignettes. Kids will pore over the images  time and again, and repeat many of the facts to incredulous adults. Some of these stories make Ducks and Monsters for president sound close to feasible!

While you're at it, share some of our nation's history regarding voters' rights with resources offered in this previous post. Sounds like a perfect way to get families engaged in productive discussions of elections. If you have other titles to suggest, share them in the comments!

Paul Czajak, author of MONSTER NEEDS YOUR VOTE, contributes articles to HUFF POST: EDUCATION blog. Here's his recent piece on engaging young people in the election process and the essential principles of democracy and voting (here).

Look for MONSTER NEEDS YOUR VOTE and other election titles at Barnes and Noble "Kids' Corner" table displays this fall, and check Monster's CAMPAIGN headquarters  to find other interesting election-related facts at this link.