V Is for Voting

May 15, 2020
An alphabet picture book that presents the ideal of a democratic society. Seeing its standard ABC formula--"A is for..." etc.--and a rhyming text, readers may be inclined to think that nothing substantial is in the offing. They would be wrong. If ever an alphabet book packed a punch, this one is it. Leaving no effort to empower unturned, the text goes from, well, A to Z with an energetic propulsion that will educate readers to become informed, engaged citizens. Exhortations ("Z is for zeal. Please bring yours!"), nods to bastions of a democratic society ("F for a free press to find facts and share"), and celebrations of diversity ("D is for difference--our strength and our beauty") share space with history ("S is for suffrage") and critical thinking ("R is for represent. They work for me!"). They all combine to deliver a timely message of citizen empowerment. This lively activist theme is visually echoed by bold, full-color illustrations depicting a diversity of humans whose skin colors range from white to all shades of brown and include, prominently and frequently, a woman in a hijab. The people in the illustrations often face directly forward, engaging--almost confronting--readers. Many historical figures are illustrated, and the backmatter both names them and encourages readers to learn more on their own. Backmatter also gives suggestions to young readers for contributing to voter empowerment and includes a voting rights timeline. Forceful and exhilarating. (Informational picture book. 5-10)

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June 1, 2020
Preschool-G This alphabet book on civic engagement could have a double effect. The first is to give kids an idea of why it's so important to vote and get involved. The second is to galvanize adults, who may read this book to kids, to vote this year. Though it's meant for the earliest readers, heavy concepts may make this title more fitting for older kids. A, for example, stands for active participation. C stands for citizens' rights and duties. The emphasis throughout is on honoring our history (there's a great page for govern, with cameos of famous leaders like Harriet Tubman, Sitting Bull, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Frederick Douglass) and showing how hard-won our voting rights are (S is for suffrage ). The bright, one-dimensional illustrations?from the first scene of people in line at a polling place to those of people and kids marching and protesting?are filled with a diverse range of faces, and a voting rights time line is included at book's end. A great lever for voters, present and future.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

July 6, 2020
This rhyming abecedarian seeks to imbue a basic awareness of voting and American history, motivating children to get involved from an early age (“K is for knowing that you can take part./ L is for local, and that’s where you start”). A diverse range of historical leaders accompany many of the letters (Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm holds up a peace sign alongside “U is for unbought,/ unbossed,/ undeterred”). Simplified art makes immediate identification difficult, but the digital illustrations are inclusive and colorfully geometric. Though some lines confusingly refer to the country’s problematic history without context (“H is for homelands that we’ve occupied”), the book is, overall, an accessible contender for parents seeking to raise civically and communally engaged children. Back matter includes a few more tips for young readers to take action, a timeline of voting rights milestones, and a guide to included historical figures. Ages 3–6.