Party Time: Election Books for Kids

Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope

by Nikki Grimes, Illustrated by Bryan Collier
(Simon & Schuster, $17)

In this illustrated story, a fictional single African-American mother tells her son, David, about Barack Obama—also the son of a single mother. David's comments are interspersed as he relates Obama's life to his own experiences. For example, when the mother talks about young Barack, or "Barry," missing his father, David says, "I miss my dad, too." The stunning watercolor and collage illustrations are meant to be a metaphor for combining different parts to make something new and complete, a nod to Obama's life. Hope is another central theme in the story, and in the author's note Grimes writes, "As an African American born before the Voting Rights Act was signed in 1965, I honestly didn't know if I would live to see this day [when there would be a black candidate for president]." —Ages 5 to 10

Yes We Can: A Biography of Barack Obama

by Garen Thomas,
($7, Feiwel and Friends)

Obama's biography details his upbringing around the world—from Hawaii to Indonesia to Chicago—and how he "did not feel completely whole" as a multiracial child of a single mother. The book follows his journey from troubled youth who coped with his feelings through destructive behavior to becoming senator for Illinois and running for president. It includes a family tree, a world map of all the places he and his family have lived, and full-page photos and quotes by Obama, like "Change is never easy, but always possible."—Ages 9 to 12

My Dad, John McCain

by Meghan McCain, Illustrated by Dan Andreasen
(Aladdin, $17)

John McCain's campaign-blogger daughter Meghan tells the story of her dad's life and why she thinks that "he would make a great president" in this beautifully illustrated book. She describes his Vietnam War heroism and imprisonment as well as his unsuccessful run for president in 2000 and notes that "he was proud of how hard he'd worked. And we were really proud of him, too!" Meghan also writes about McCain's marriage to her mother, Cindy, and her brothers and adopted sister, but she omits any mention of her half siblings from her father's previous marriage. Meghan writes that her dad will "say what he really thinks," and notes that "maybe it won't always be what people want to hear. But it will be the truth." —Ages 5 to 10

John McCain: Serving His Country

by Barbara Silberdick Feinberg,
(Millbrook, $25)

This straightforward biography gives a comprehensive look at John McCain, from his misconduct and bad grades at the naval academy to his experience as a Vietnam War prisoner to the Keating Five political scandal and the McCain-Feingold campaign-finance reform efforts. The biography includes lots of McCain family photos and clearly explains political terms like soft money and line-item veto efforts (which is a nice refresher for grown-ups, too). The book was published in 2000, so it ends with McCain's withdrawal from the presidential election, but it provides a solid background on McCain's life and career. —Ages 9 to 12

Woodrow, the White House Mouse

Written and illustrated by Peter W. Barnes and Cheryl Shaw Barnes
(VSP Books, $18)

Woodrow G. Washingtail is elected president in this electoral tale from the authors of several popular books, including House Mouse, Senate Mouse, and Marshall, the Courthouse Mouse. Cheerful illustrations and rhymes are used to explain the framework of government and the president's duties. The story also includes a tour of the White House, including the East Room and the Red Room, and highlights traditions like the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn. There's a section of historical notes for parents and teachers at the back of the book. — Ages 4 to 8

Ballots for Belva: The True Story of a Woman's Race for the Presidency

by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, Illustrated by Courtney A. Martin
(Abrams, $17)

Before Hillary, Sarah, or Geraldine, there was Belva Lockwood, the first woman to officially receive electoral votes in a presidential election. This illustrated story highlights Belva's struggles to be admitted to law school (where she was told she would be "likely to distract the attention of the young men") to her run for president in 1884, when women weren't even allowed to vote. Belva, who was also the first woman to argue a case before Supreme Court, said that her success was a result of "will-power and mental effort, combined with indefatigable labor." The story also provides a historical look at voting and explains how parties used to have to print and distribute their own ballots. Along with a glossary of voting terms, the book includes a timeline of women's suffrage in the U.S. — Ages 9 to 12

America Votes: How Our President Is Elected

by Linda Granfield, Illustrated by Steve Bjorkman
(Kids Can Press, $10)

This primer to electoral process explains everything from the history of voting to political terms like gerrymandering, pork barreling, and swing voters with humorous illustrations and easy-to-digest, kid-friendly language. There are also fun facts, like the recipe for Election Cake from a 1796 cookbook, which includes 30 quarts of flour, 14 pounds of sugar, and three dozen eggs. The book explains what the president actually does, highlights prominent suffragists, and explains the infamous "chad" situation from the 2000 election. — Ages 10 to 14

See How They Run: Campaign Dreams, Election Schemes, and the Race to the White House

by Susan E. Goodman, Illustrated by Elwood H. Smith
(Bloomsbury USA Children's Books, $10)

With cartoons and straightforward statements like, "We put our Founding Fathers on pedestals and think they were perfect. But they weren't," this easy-to-understand introduction to elections and voting makes the political process more accessible to kids. There's also a section on what led to the decline in voting numbers and why it's so important for young people to exercise their right to vote. In addition to the glossary of political terms, there's a gallery of all the presidents plus quirky facts about each one. (Who knew that John Quincy Adams owned a pet alligator that stayed in the East Room?) — Ages 9 to 12