I Voted

November 25, 2019
Bloch’s balletic ink line—punctuated with color washes and textural elements in red, white, and blue—and Shulman’s crisp prose means there’ll be no sleeping through this civics class. Beginning with simple personal choices (“Markers or crayons?”) and then a communal decision (deciding on a class pet) the creators explain the mechanics of voting and how to work for a specific result: “You can talk to people who want something different./ Maybe you will change their mind./ Maybe they will change yours.” The editorial cartooning consistently strikes a fine balance between gravitas and fancy: to show why voting matters, Bloch offers up two enticing doorways, one that reads “FREE FOR KIDS” and one that scans “NO KIDS ALLOWED!” Enjoining readers to engage in grown-ups’ elections (“Listen. Read. Talk. Ask”), the text concludes with an overview of government branches. A simple volume with a vital message: “If you don’t vote, you don’t get to choose.” Ages 4–8.

January 1, 2020

Gr 1-3-This delightful picture book introduces young readers to the process of voting. Readers learn that voters must gather information, have conversations with people who hold opposing views, and collaborate with others who want the same outcome. But win or lose, it's important to take an active part. Shulman's text compares voting for local, state, and national officials to more kid-friendly examples such as choosing an ice cream flavor or deciding on the class pet. Young voters are instructed to "Listen. Read. Talk. Ask. And tell someone who's old enough...to bring you along on Election Day." Bloch's cheerful red, white, and blue illustrations pair perfectly with the text, producing a joyful, engaging book that encourages responsible citizenship. Back matter makes these concepts even more concrete. Specific examples of how all three branches of government work are featured. Shulman reminds readers that civic engagement starts well before the age of 18. VERDICT Purchase for classroom and library collections to encourage the next generation of decision makers.-Jen McConnel, Queen's University, Ont.

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2019
The hows, whys, and wherefores of voting are presented in this picture book. Beginning with the concept of choice and using a vote for a class pet as the initial example, this story takes readers by their hands and leads them through the entire electoral process for something. In addition to presenting the actual activity of the vote, the story stresses the ramifications of voting (or not voting) as well as the idea of engaging others in discussion. Special emphasis is placed on the concept of acquiring knowledge in order to become an informed voter. While the target audience is too young to vote in town, state, or national legislative elections, the story hands young readers power by telling them they can make sure those who can vote, do. The meat-and-potatoes text is forthright and unadorned, and the illustrations rarely vary from their two-vignettes-per-page format. Nonetheless, by its very simplicity, the gravity of the message is underscored--voting equals choice; choice equals quality of life. Bloch's illustrations, dominated by people delineated in sketchy black outlines filled with simple patterns or color shades, emphasize expressions rendered in a cartoon style, and this adds a needed bit of levity to it all. A range of skin shades from beige to brown is shown. Extensive backmatter includes a thorough section on "How Our Government Works" as well as steps to take to vote. Comprehensive and forthright. (backmatter, bibliography, online resources) (Picture book. 5-8)

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Starred review from December 1, 2019
Grades K-2 *Starred Review* With the 2020 election around the corner, this simple yet edifying book will help younger kids understand what all the excitement's about. It begins with the most basic case for choice?"Which do you like better?"?and goes on to explain that while some choices are easy (ice cream or onions), others (ice cream or cupcakes) might take more thought. From there, the book widens its scope to show voting for a classroom pet. You make your choice, but if too many people choose differently, you lose. Yet there are ways before the vote to change people's minds. The focus then goes even wider, explaining how governmental voting works, and though everything gets just a sentence or two, they are crisp enough to get the basics across (notes at the end extend the text). Adding punch are the ink drawings, highlighted with dabs of design and bright color. The clever cartoons add tons to the text, perhaps especially on the page where class pet arguments abound, with balloons over the kids' heads featuring the pet of choice. One tiny criticism: at the conclusion, a boy tags along to the voting place, and the final spread features him covered with stickers: "I Voted." Well, he didn't this time, but hopefully the importance of this will stay with him until he's 18.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)