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Mighty Girls Get Out the Vote: Children's Books About Elections & Voting

A Mighty Girl's top picks of books for kids about voting and the political process.

With an election upcoming this November, there's no better time to teach kids about how elections work and the importance of voting! Kids are often fascinated by the steps of a democratic election — from naming candidates to running a campaign to casting a vote — and it's even more exciting for them to know that they could be part of the process someday, helping to write laws and change their city, state, or country for the better.

To help kids learn more about elections and voting, we've put together a selection of Mighty Girl books about girls exploring the political process. From picture books about the basics of voting to stories about girls running for class president to capsule biographies about famous women in politics, these fun and informative titles are sure to inspire the next generation of Mighty leaders!

While you're talking to your kids about elections, don't forget to let them know the story of women in American politics! Our blog post Remember the Ladies: 25 Children's Books on Women in Politics features books that introduce kids and teens to the pioneering women in politics who have already left their mark on their nation. And, you can teach them about the determined women we can thank for winning women's right to vote with the books in our blog post How Women Won The Vote: Books for Kids & Adults About the U.S. Suffrage Movement.

Mighty Girl Books About Voting & the political Process

Baby Loves Political Science: Democracy!

Baby Loves Political Science: Democracy!

Written by: Ruth Spiro
Illustrated by: Greg Paprocki
Recommended Age: 1 - 4

Even Baby can learn about democracy in this fun addition to the best-selling Baby Loves series! Baby joins her mother on her way to vote, and along the way she learns about all the ways people can participate in the political process, from sending postcards and making signs, to campaigning and attending rallies, to running for election themselves! She cheers Mommy on when she casts her vote and learns that every vote counts when it's time for the final tally. With colorful illustrations and appealing text, this board book is an empowering introduction to what makes a great democracy.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$10.99 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£6.99 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$21.06 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$8.99 (USD)

A Vote Is a Powerful Thing

A Vote Is a Powerful Thing

Written by: Catherine Stier
Illustrated by: Courtney Dawson
Recommended Age: 4 - 8

Callie's class is about to have an election — to decide where to go on their field trip! Callie wants the class to go to the wilderness park, which she loves but which is at risk of failing if it doesn't get more funding. Lynn, on the other hand, suggests a trip to the cookie factory; maybe the class can get free samples! Callie runs a strong campaign, and presents her case in a compelling way... but will her classmates respond? It turns out that there are times even a single vote can make the difference! Catherine Stier, author of If I Were President, has created an engaging story about the importance of voting and the power of united voices, which includes material about the history of voting in America.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$23.99 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£14.89 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$40.95 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$13.64 (USD)

Grace for President

Grace for President

Written by: Kelly DiPucchio
Illustrated by: LeUyen Pham
Recommended Age: 4 - 8

When Grace hears that America has never had a female president, she decides that she will be the first — and the school mock election provides the perfect opportunity for her to get some political practice. But she runs into some difficulty when her popular opponent's claim that he's "the best man for the job" captures the votes of the boys, who hold the most electoral votes. Undeterred, Grace decides to focus on what she'll do with the position in an effort to prove that elections are about the best person for the job. This fun book teaches the election process — and the importance of every vote — as well as the message that girls can be leaders. Grace and her classmates return in Grace Goes To Washington, where they learn more about the political process — and the joys and challenges of being a public servant.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$23.51 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£13.99 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$36.52 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$10.99 (USD)

Lambslide

Lambslide

Written by: Ann Patchett
Illustrated by: Robin Preiss Glasser
Recommended Age: 4 - 8

The Farmer family's lambs are a confident bunch: "everything was about the lambs, as far as the lambs were concerned." So when young Nicolette runs for class president, and her mother assures her she'll win by a landslide, the lambs mishear it as lambslide and are thrilled to know there's a slide just for them! Except they can't find this slide anywhere on the farm, so it's time for the lambs to run their own vote. They campaign and bargain, and with a little help from now-victorious Nicolette, they finally get their slide. This delightful collaboration between bestselling author Ann Patchette (in her picture book debut) and bestselling illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser celebrates the democratic process and the power of political action.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$20.91 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£12.99 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$42.75 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$12.60 (USD)

Amelia Bedelia's First Vote

Amelia Bedelia's First Vote

Written by: Herman Parish
Illustrated by: Lynne Avril
Recommended Age: 4 - 8

When the principal asks Amelia Bedelia, "What would you do if you were me?" — she decides to find out! As principal for the day, her first act is to set up some voting for activities the whole school will do. As kids follow Amelia through her day as principal — with plenty of her trademark misunderstandings! — they'll also learn about elections, voting, absentee ballots, and more. With plenty of laughs and some interesting lessons about the political process, this is a clever way to help young readers understand why their vote is so powerful.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$8.50 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£8.72 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$25.89 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$6.99 (USD)

When Penny Met POTUS

When Penny Met POTUS

Written by: Rachel Ruiz
Illustrated by: Melissa A Manwill
Recommended Age: 4 - 8

Penny's mother works for the President of the United States, so she's heard the phrase POTUS lots of times, but she doesn't really know what it means. So she lets her imagination run wild, trying to picture who — or what — POTUS is! Fortunately, after spending a day at her mother's workplace, Penny gets a much better idea of what it means to be POTUS. Kids and adults alike will enjoy this playful book full of humor and fun, and parents will particularly like the empowering message that great heights are possible if you work hard.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$11.95 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
(Unavailable)
Amazon.com.au
A$45.79 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$15.43 (USD)

Heidi Heckelbeck for Class President

Heidi Heckelbeck for Class President

Written by: Wanda Coven
Illustrated by: Priscilla Burris
Recommended Age: 5 - 8

Young witch Heidi Heckelbeck's class is preparing for an election: they need a new class president! Heidi is so excited that she immediately launches her candidacy. But once she does, she's a little daunted by the process: she needs to advertise with posters and give a speech to her classmates, and she's not even really sure what a class president does! Fortunately, in the process, she not only learns what being class president means: she also gets a better understanding of the political process and the importance of democracy. This early chapter book series, with easy language and fun illustrations on most pages, is the perfect choice to inspire beginning readers with the power of politics.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$7.99 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£6.39 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$23.82 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$5.99 (USD)

Isabella: Girl In Charge

Isabella: Girl In Charge

Written by: Jennifer Fosberry
Illustrated by: Mike Litwin
Recommended Age: 5 - 9

The little girl from My Name Is Not Isabella is back, and this time, she's urging her parents along through the morning of a very special event! Unfortunately, in her family's democracy, a two-to-one vote says she still has to eat breakfast and brush her teeth. But as she campaigns her way out the door, Isabella pays tribute to women who were the first to hold a variety of political offices in a celebration of women in American politics. Featured women include the first female mayor, Susanna Madora Salter, the first female governor Nellie Tayloe Ross, the first woman elected to Congress Jeannette Rankin, and the first female Cabinet member Frances Perkins.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$24.41 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£10.18 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$20.63 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$14.51 (USD)

Sofia Valdez and the Vanishing Vote (The Questioneers)

Sofia Valdez and the Vanishing Vote (The Questioneers)

Written by: Andrea Beaty
Illustrated by: David Roberts
Recommended Age: 6 - 9

Sofia Valdez and her friends the Questioneers are excited: they're getting a class pet! Since they're all going to share responsibility for taking care of it, Miss Lila Greer says it's time for a vote: turtle or bird. And Sofia will be Election Commissioner overseeing the whole process! But after the campaign is done and the votes are cast, there's a tie... and one missing vote. Sofia and her friends are determined to track down what happened to that vote so they can ensure democracy runs smoothly. This book in the The Questioneers early chapter book series will get kids thinking about the electoral process — and how they can play their part. For younger kids, check out Sofia's picture book, Sofia Valdez, Future Prez.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$16.25 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£7.75 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$15.39 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$9.49 (USD)

When You Grow Up to Vote: How Our Government Works for You

When You Grow Up to Vote: How Our Government Works for You

Illustrated by: Grace Lin
Recommended Age: 7 - 12

In 1932, Eleanor Roosevelt's husband was elected president — and she wrote the first edition of a book designed to teach children about citizenship and politics in America. Now that book has been updated for a modern audience! Roosevelt begins by talking about local-level politics and the service they provide, from firefighting to garbage collection. Then, she expands her view to the state and national levels, always keeping the focus on how government officials work for the voters. Michelle Markel's updates include information about how recent innovations, including the internet and cell phones, play a part in the process, as well as current issues like gerrymandering. It's an empowering look at American politics that encourages kids to see themselves as change-makers!

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$34.43 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£15.68 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$45.85 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$10.39 (USD)

The Campaign: With Liberty and Study Hall for All

The Campaign: With Liberty and Study Hall for All

Written by: LaurieLaurie Friedman
Recommended Age: 9 - 12

7th grader Amanda Adams has politics in her blood: her mom is a member of Congress and her dad is a political strategist. So when she finally gets the chance to run for class president, she's got everything planned out, including her VP pick, her best friend Meghan. Except it turns out that Meghan wants to run on her own! Betrayed and determined to win, Amanda readies herself for an all-out campaign... and she's not convinced she should play fair. As classmates choose sides, though, Amanda and Meghan both start to realize that how they campaign is going to affect the whole class, even after the election is over. This series opener provides a middle grade-friendly introduction to elections and encourages kids to think about the importance of fairness and honesty, on the campaign trail and in life.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$19.26 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£7.86 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$47.90 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$24.53 (USD)

A Woman In The House (And Senate)

How Women Came to Washington and Changed the Nation

A Woman In The House (And Senate)

How Women Came to Washington and Changed the Nation

Written by: Ilene Cooper
Illustrated by: Elizabeth Baddeley
Recommended Age: 8 - 14

Did you know that Jeannette Rankin, the first woman elected to Congress, won her seat at a time when many women in America still couldn't vote? Beginning with the women's suffrage movement and going all the way through the results of the 2018 election, Ilene Cooper deftly covers more than a century of U.S. history in order to highlight the influential and diverse group of female leaders who opened doors for women in politics as well as the nation as a whole! This updated edition of Cooper's book, complete with lively illustrations and archival photographs, also includes a glossary, index, and chart of all the women who have served in Congress. It's a great way to introduce tweens and teens to women in the broader political world.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$24.99 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£4.99 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$32.87 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$15.31 (USD)

Act

Act

Written by: Kayla Miller
Illustrated by: Kayla Miller
Recommended Age: 9 - 12

Olive is ready for a new adventure in sixth grade, which includes a field trip to the big city! But then she discovers that some of her peers can't afford the $30 field trip fee, which means they'll miss out — and that doesn't seem fair. At first, she tries a petition and a peaceful protest, but that doesn't get enough attention. A student council election is coming up, and that might give her a bigger platform to make changes... but her friends Trent and Sawyer are already running. Can Olive address these big issues without upsetting her friends? Kayla Miller, the author-illustrator of the New York Times bestselling Click and Camp, has created an inspiring graphic novel that reminds young readers about the power of political action — and that every change starts with one person. Olive's story continues in Clash.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$13.00 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£9.05 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$24.99 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$9.09 (USD)

Leading the Way: Women In Power

Leading the Way: Women In Power

Recommended Age: 9 and up

Women may not have always been given a seat at the tables of power — so they, in the words of Shirley Chisholm, brought a folding chair! This inspiring volume pays tribute to women past and present who demanded their right to a voice in the political process, from suffragists like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Ida B. Wells-Barnett, to early politicians like Victoria Woodhull, Bella Abzug, and Jeannette Rankin, to today's trailblazers like Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, and Tammy Duckworth. Fifty capsule biographies of American women in politics give young readers a sense of the scope of women's impact on the country, from Frances Perkin's labor protections to Ruth Bader Ginsburg's key legal arguments and decisions. It's an exciting book that's sure to inspire a new generation of girls and women determined to change the world.

Buy:
Buy:
Amazon.ca
C$23.18 (CAD)
Amazon.co.uk
£14.49 (GBP)
Amazon.com.au
A$46.98 (AUD)
Amazon.com
$17.06 (USD)

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