Children’s Publishers Stuff the Ballot Box
By John Sellers, Children's Bookshelf -- Publishers Weekly, 1/10/2008
Like photo-ops of candidates shaking hands and kissing babies, political titles for children are plentiful this election year. Publishers’ offerings range from books about the American political process to biographies of Presidents past, present and—very possibly—future. And for those who don’t want to content themselves with the actual election, a number of politically themed novels and picture books are available now and in the coming months.
Future Pundits
Several new nonfiction offerings target those interested in learning about the electoral process and other aspects of American politics. Created by the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance, Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out (Candlewick, Sept.) collects personal essays, historical fiction, poetry and more from more than 100 contributors that include M.T. Anderson, Kate DiCamillo, Walter Dean Myers, Katherine Paterson and more. Royalties will benefit the NCBLA.
Eyewitness: Vote by Philip Steele (Apr.), the latest in the DK series, examines the process of voting itself, such as the ways it differs worldwide and how it has shaped history.
Declare Yourself (Greenwillow, June) collects 50 essays that encourage eligible teens to vote, and all teens to get involved politically. Contributors are popular celebrities, authors and others, including Meg Cabot, America Ferrara and Tyra Banks.
HarperCollins’s Collins imprint will offer several books aimed at politically inquisitive children. Presidents FYI (June) takes an in-depth look at the executive branch, covering past Presidents, the history of the Presidency, the role of the First Family and more. And White House Q&A (Jan.) and American Flag Q&A (June) answer common questions on both topics, among them “Who came up with the name ‘White House’? ” and “How has the American flag changed over time?”
See How They Run by Susan E. Goodman, illustrated by Elwood H. Smith (Bloomsbury, May), is a guide to the American election process, in the spirit of Schoolhouse Rock.
Current Contenders
Democratic voters are making their choices during the primaries; their kids can choose between biographies of two of the leading candidates. Barack Obama: An American Story by Roberta Edwards, illustrated by Ken Call (Grosset & Dunlap, Aug. 2007), covers the Illinois senator from his birth in Hawaii through his announcement that he would run for President. Barack Obama: Working to Make a Difference by Marlene Targ Brill (Lerner, spring 2006) also tracks the life of the Presidential hopeful.
Hillary Clinton: An American Journey by Laura Driscoll, illustrated by Judith V. Wood (Grosset & Dunlap, Aug. 2007) covers the major events of the life of the former First Lady, New York senator and Presidential candidate.
Picture Books Play Politics
Unlike election season itself, which seems to start earlier each time around, it’s never too early for kids to learn about the process itself, and even entertain thoughts of higher office. Helen Thomas, who as dean of the White House press corps is no stranger to Washington politics, makes her children’s book debut with The Great White House Breakout, illustrated by Chip Bok (Dial, July). In the story, Sam, the President’s son, and his friends sneak out of the White House to explore D.C.
In President Pennybaker by Kate Feiffer, illustrated by Kate Goode (S&S/Wiseman, Aug.), Luke thinks life isn’t fair at home, so he runs for President (with his dog as v-p). But after he wins, he finds that a President’s job isn’t so easy.
A pair of picture books from Hyperion feature female protagonists with political aspirations. In Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by LeUyen Pham (Feb.), the eponymous heroine runs for class president after her teacher tells her that the U.S. hasn’t had a female President (so far). And in Lane Smith’s Madam President (July) a girl envisions life with Presidential duties (like kissing babies) and powers (vetoing tuna casserole).
Mark Teague’s latest, LaRue for Mayor: Letters from the Campaign Trail (Scholastic/Blue Sky, Mar.) is the third book starring the correspondence-loving dog; here he runs for mayor against Snort City’s former police chief, who is promising a crackdown on wayward canines. Three dogs seek office in Otto Runs for President by Rosemary Wells (Scholastic Press, May), which sees Otto running against two popular puppies at Barkadelphia School.
Several children envision entering the Presidential race in If I Ran for President by Catherine Stier, illustrated by Lynne Avril (Albert Whitman, Oct. 2007), which introduces readers to the election process along the way.
A classroom votes for class president and puts on a play to celebrate Presidents’ Day in a new picture book by Anne Rockwell, illustrated by Lizzy Rockwell (HarperCollins, Jan.).
It’s SpongeBob vs. Squidward in Vote for SpongeBob by Erica Pass, illus. by Harry Moore (Simon Spotlight, Jan.), with both denizens of Bikini Bottom competing to be named Royal Krabby.
Political Fictions
If the 24-hour news cycle becomes too repetitive for politically obsessed readers, they can take a break with several new novels. This past November saw the release of Long May She Reign by Ellen Emerson White (Feiwel & Friends), the fourth book in the series that began in 1983 with The President’s Daughter, in which Meghan Powers adjusts to her mother’s Presidency. Next August, the Macmillan imprint will reissue that first title along with the two books that followed, White House Autumn (in which Meghan’s mother is shot)and Long Live the Queen (which sees Meghan captured by terrorists). The author has adjusted certain details in the books to modernize them somewhat.
First Daughter: White House Rules by Mitali Perkins (Dutton, Jan.) stars another fictional Presidential daughter. In this sequel to Perkins’s First Daughter: Extreme American Makeover (which comes out in paperback this July), Sameera, overwhelmed by paparazzi and the Secret Service, sneaks off on her own.
In As If Being 12 3/4 Isn’t Bad Enough, My Mother Is Running for President! by Donna Gephart (Delacorte, Feb.), an awkward, lovelorn tween contends with her mother’s Presidential campaign.
A to Z Mysteries: Super Edition 3: White House White-Out by Ron Roy, illustrated by John Steven Gurney (Random, Aug.), finds a group of friends searching for the President’s lost dog. Also from Roy, Capital Mysteries #1: The Election-Day Disaster, illustrated by Timothy Bush (Random, Aug.) centers on a scandal involving digitally doctored photographs of the President.
The Candy Apple series expands with Callie for President by Robin Wasserman (Scholastic, May), about a down-and-dirty race for student council president.
Presidents Past
Children with Presidential aspirations of their own can, in the meantime, immerse themselves in the stories of those who have held the office. Stand Tall, Abe Lincoln by Judith St. George, illustrated by Matt Faulkner (Philomel, Dec. 2007), looks back on the President’s boyhood in the backwoods of Kentucky.
Honest Abe also shows up in a pair of titles from Schwartz & Wade this October. Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek: A Tall, Thin Tale (Introducing His Forgotten Frontier Friend) by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by John Hendrix, also centers on Lincoln’s childhood—and his friend Austin Gollaher. The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary by Candace Fleming is a scrapbook-style portrait of the President and First Lady, using letters, diary entries, newspaper clippings and more.
The paper-over-board Lincoln Shot! A President’s Life Remembered by Barry Denenberg, illustrated by Christopher Bing (Feiwel & Friends, Sept.), uses historical photographs and typefaces as well as a tall format to give the book the appearance of a 19th-century newspaper, as it memorializes the life of the 16th President.
In Presidential Races: The Battle for Power in the United States by Arlene Morris-Lipsman (Lerner, Sept. 2007) looks at back at previous Presidential elections and how they have changed during the last 200-plus years.
Most of America’s Presidents had children, and readers can learn about them in First Kids by Noah McCullough (Scholastic Reference, Aug.), which explores their lives and what it’s like to have the President for a parent.
One First Daughter was particularly free-spirited. What to Do About Alice? by Barbara Kerley, illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham (Scholastic Press, Mar.), stars the snake-loving, globe-trotting, free-wheeling daughter of Theodore Roosevelt.
The Rest Is History
Despite this year’s attention on the nation’s political present and future, many books look back at key events, people and places in American history. Hillary Clinton is by no means the first woman to make a bid for the Presidency: Ballots for Belva by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen (Abrams, Sept.) tells the story of Belva Lockwood, the woman who holds that record. Lockwood won 4,149 votes in the 1884 election—before women could even vote.
A Charlesbridge title, Margaret Chase Smith: A Woman for President by Lynne Plourde, illustrated by David McPhail (Feb.), chronicles the life of the first woman who ran for the White House on a major party ticket.
If You Lived When Women Won Their Rights by Anne Kamma (Scholastic, Feb.) explores the development of women’s rights, from the convention at Seneca Falls through the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.
Lady Liberty: A Biography by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Matt Tavares (Candlewick, May) tells the story behind the Statue of Liberty and the people who helped it come into being.
Set up as an anonymous journal, America (LB Kids, Sept.) uses flaps, postcards, a foldout version of the Declaration of Independence and more to explore major moments in American history up through the present.
Adding to the Look Again series, Americana Adventure by Michael Garland (Dutton, May) finds Tommy taking a cross-country journey filled with clues and surprises. Also from Dutton, Colonial Voices: Hear Them Speak by Kay Winters, illustrated by Larry Day (May), transports readers to Boston as the American Revolution is about to begin.
Back for Another Term
Several previously published titles return this year, some with new information. The bestselling Duck for President by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin (Atheneum, Jan.), is back in time for the 2008 election with a new cover. Cronin and Lewin will be touring the country in support of Duck—and the book.
The Caldecott Medal-winning So You Want to Be President? by Judith St. George, illustrated by David Small (Philomel, July), returns with updated information on each of the U.S. Presidents.
Americans Who Tell the Truth by Robert Shetterly (Puffin, May) offers quotations from, and portraits of, 50 freedom fighters who have exercised their rights to speak out (including Rosa Parks, Mark Twain and Molly Ivins) in a new paperback edition. Also back from Puffin, My Teacher for President by Kay Winters, illustrated by Denise Brunkus (July), features a boy who believes his teacher would be an ideal leader.
Madam President: The Extraordinary, True (and Evolving) Story of Women in Politics by Catherine Thimmesh, illustrated by Douglas B. Jones (Houghton, Feb.), first published in 2004, now features new information about Hillary Clinton, Condoleezza Rice and other female politicians.
Macmillan’s Square Fish imprint is reissuing several titles. George Washington’s Teeth by Deborah Chandra and Madeleine Comora, illustrated by Brock Cole (Jan.) returns to chronicle the dental woes of America’s first Commander in Chief. In Vote for Larry by Janet Tashjian (Sept.), her sequel to The Gospel According to Larry, Larry takes on the electoral process, attempting to become the first 18-year-old President. And last season, the imprint reissued First Boy by Gary Schmidt (Sept. 2007). about a New Hampshire boy who gets drawn in to a Presidential mystery; and Soccer Chick Rules by Dawn FitzGerald (Oct. 2007). in which a girl rallies voters to save her school’s sports program.
Five friends are transported to the Revolutionary War and meet the future First President in George Washington’s Socks by Elvira Woodruff (Scholastic, Jan.), due out in paperback.
Previously reissued for the 2004 election, Vote! by Eileen Christelow (Clarion, Feb.) is back in paperback, explaining elections in a comic strip-style format.
New in paperback, Max for President by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Random/Dragonfly, Aug.) provides young readers a glimpse of the electoral process via a race to become class president.
The following is a listing of publication details for all books included in this feature, alphabetical by title.
A to Z Mysteries: Super Edition 3: White House White-Out by Ron Roy, illus. by John Steven Gurney (Random, $4.99 paper ages 6-9 ISBN 978-0-375-84721-9; Aug.)
Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek: A Tall, Thin Tale (Introducing His Forgotten Frontier Friend) by Deborah Hopkinson, illus. by John Hendrix (Schwartz & Wade, $16.99 ages 4-8 ISBN 978-0-375-83768-5; Oct.)
America (LB Kids, $19.99 ages TBD ISBN 978-0-316-03170-7; Sept.)
American Flag Q&A (Collins, $16.99, paper $6.99 ages 5-9 ISBN 978-0-06-089959-2; -089958-5; June)
Americana Adventure by Michael Garland (Dutton, $15.99 ages 6-8 ISBN 978-0-525-47945-1; May)
Americans Who Tell the Truth by Robert Shetterly (Puffin, $7.99 ages 9-11 ISBN 978-0-14-241108-7; May)
As If Being 12 3/4 Isn’t Bad Enough, My Mother Is Running for President! by Donna Gephart (Delacorte, $15.99 ages 8-12 ISBN 978-0-385-73481-3; Feb.)
Ballots for Belva by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen (Abrams, $16.95 ages 8-12 ISBN 978-0-8109-7110-3; Sept.)
Barack Obama: An American Story by Roberta Edwards, illus. by Ken Call (Grosset & Dunlap, $3.99 paper ages 7-9 ISBN 978-0-448-44799-5; Aug. 2007)
Barack Obama: Working to Make a Difference (Lerner, $8.95 ages 9-14 ISBN 978-0-8225-3417-4; spring 2006)
Callie for President (Candy Apple #9) by Robin Wasserman (Scholastic, $4.99 paper ages 9-12 ISBN 978-0-545-02220-0; May)
Capital Mysteries #1: The Election-Day Disaster by Ron Roy, illus. by Timothy Bush (Random, $3.99 paper ages 6-9 ISBN 978-0-375-84805-6; Aug.)
Colonial Voices: Hear Them Speak by Kay Winters, illus. by Larry Day (Dutton, $17.99 ages 9-11 ISBN 978-0-525-47872-0; May)
Declare Yourself (Greenwillow, $16.99, paper $11.99 ages 14-up ISBN 978-0-06-147332-6; -147316-6; June)
Duck for President by Doreen Cronin, illus. by Betsy Lewin (Atheneum, $16.99 reissue all ages ISBN 978-1-4169-5800-0; Jan.)
Eyewitness: Vote by Philip Steele (DK, $15.99 ages 8-up ISBN 978-0-7566-3382-0; Apr.)
First Boy by Gary Schmidt (Square Fish, $6.95 paper reissue ages 12-up ISBN 978-0-312-37149-4; Sept. 2007)
First Daughter: White House Rules by Mitali Perkins (Dutton, $16.99 ages 10-up ISBN 978-0-525-47951-2; Jan.)
First Daughter: Extreme American Makeover by Mitali Perkins (Dutton, $7.99 paper ages 12-up ISBN 978-0-14-241154-4; July)
First Kids by Noah McCullough (Scholastic Reference, $7.99 paper ages 9-12 ISBN 978-0-545-03369-5; Aug.)
George Washington’s Socks by Elvira Woodruff (Scholastic, $5.99 ages 9-12 ISBN 978-0-590-44036-3; Jan.)
George Washington’s Teeth by Deborah Chandra and Madeleine Comora, illus. by Brock Cole (Square Fish, $6.99 paper reissue ages 4-8 ISBN 978-0-312-37604-8; Jan.)
Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio, illus. by LeUyen Pham (Hyperion, $15.99 ages 5-9 ISBN 978-0-7868-3919-3; Feb.)
The Great White House Breakout by Helen Thomas, illus. by Chip Bok (Dial, $16.99 ages 6-8 ISBN 978-0-8037-3300-8; July)
Hillary Clinton: An American Journey by Laura Driscoll, illus. by Judith V. Wood (Grosset & Dunlap, $3.99 paper ages 7-9 ISBN 978-0-448-44787-2; Aug. 2007)
If I Ran for President by Catherine Stier, illus. by Lynne Avril (Whitman, $15.95 ages 6-9 ISBN 978-0-8075-3543-1; Oct. 2007)
If You Lived When Women Won Their Rights by Anne Kamma (Scholastic, $5.99 paper ages 7-10 ISBN 978-0-439-74869-8; Feb.)
Lady Liberty: A Biography by Doreen Rappaport, illus. by Matt Tavares (Candlewick, $17.99 ages 5-9 ISBN 978-0-7636-2530-6; May)
LaRue for Mayor: Letters from the Campaign Trail by Mark Teague (Scholastic/Blue Sky, $16.99 ages 4-8 ISBN 978-0-439-78315-6; Mar.)
Lincoln Shot! A President’s Life Remembered by Barry Denenberg, illus. by Christopher Bing (Feiwel & Friends, price TBD ages 9-up ISBN 978-0-312-37013-8; Sept.)
The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary by Candace Fleming (Schwartz & Wade, $24.99 ages 10-14 ISBN 978-0-375-83618-3; Oct.)
Long May She Reign by Ellen Emerson White (Feiwel & Friends, $15.95 ages 12-up ISBN 978-0-312-36767-1; Nov. 2007); also by White: The President’s Daughter, White House Autumn and Long Live the Queen (Feiwel & Friends, $8.99 each paper ages 12-up ISBN 978-0-312-37488-4; -37489-1; -37490-7; Aug.)
Madam President by Lane Smith (Hyperion, $16.99 ages 4-8 ISBN 978-1-4231-0846-7; July)
Madam President: The Extraordinary, True (and Evolving) Story of Women in Politics by Catherine Thimmesh, illus. by Douglas B. Jones (Houghton, $8.95 paper reissue ages 8-12 ISBN 978-0-6189-7143-5; Feb.)
Margaret Chase Smith: A Woman for President by Lynne Plourde, illus. by David McPhail (Charlesbridge, $16.95 ages 8-11 ISBN 978-1-58089-234-6; Feb.)
Max for President by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Random/Dragonfly, $6.99 paper reissue ages 4-8 ISBN 978-0-440-41789-7; Aug.)
My Teacher for President by Kay Winters, illus. by Denise Brunkus (Puffin, $6.99 ages 6-8 ISBN 978-0-14-241170-4; July)
Otto Runs for President by Rosemary Wells (Scholastic Press, $15.99 ages 4-9 ISBN 978-0-545-03722-8; May)
Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out(Candlewick, price TBD ages 10-up ISBN 978-0-7636-2067-7; Sept.)
President Pennybaker by Kate Feiffer, illus. by Kate Goode (S&S/Wiseman, $16.99 ages 4-8 ISBN 978-1-4169-1354-2; Aug.)
Presidential Races: The Battle for Power in the United States by Arlene Morris-Lipsman (Lerner, $30.60 ages 10-18 ISBN 978-0-8225-6783-7; Sept. 2007)
Presidents’ Day by Anne Rockwell, illus. by Lizzy Rockwell (HarperCollins, $16.99 ages 3-6 ISBN 978-0-06-050194-5; Jan.)
Presidents FYI (Collins, $16.99, paper $7.99 ages 8-12 ISBN 978-0-06-089992-9; -089991-2; June)
See How They Run by Susan E. Goodman, illus. by Elwood H. Smith (Bloomsbury, $16.95, paper $9.95 ages 8-12 ISBN 978-1-59990-285-2; -171-8; May)
So You Want to Be President? by Judith St. George, illus. by David Small (Philomel, $9.99 paper reissue ages 6-8 ISBN 978-0-399-25152-8; July)
Soccer Chick Rules by Dawn FitzGerald (Square Fish, $6.95 paper reissue ages 10-14 ISBN 978-0-312-37662-8; Oct. 2007)
Stand Tall, Abe Lincoln by Judith St. George, illus. by Matt Faulkner (Philomel, $16.99 ages 10-up ISBN 978-0-399-24174-1; Dec. 2007)
Vote! by Eileen Christelow (Clarion, $4.99 paper reissue ages 7-10 ISBN 978-0-547-059730; Feb.)
Vote for Larry by Janet Tashjian (Square Fish, $7.99 ages 14-up ISBN 978-0-312-38446-3; Sept.)
Vote for SpongeBob by Erica Pass, illus. by Harry Moore (Simon Spotlight, $3.99 paper ages 4-8 ISBN 978-1-4169-4986-2; Jan.)
What to Do About Alice? by Barbara Kerley, illus. by Edwin Fotheringham (Scholastic Press, $16.99 ages 4-8 ISBN 978-0439922319; Mar.)
White House Q&A (Collins, $16.99, paper $7.99 ages 5-9 ISBN 978-0-06-089966-0; -089965-3; Jan.)
