With the election coming up, it’s wonderful to see all book publishers releasing new books for families and children on the election process and American history. Here are a few more to add to the list:

• Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out, for children ages nine to 12, was created by the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance and featured by the National Endowment for the Humanities. This collection of essays, personal accounts, historical fiction, poetry and art looks at America’s history through stories about the White House. Our White House takes in everything from the amusing antics of presidents’ children and pets to the drama of the White House ablaze during wartime, to the role of immigrants, African Americans, and Native Americans. 
• First Kids: The True Stories of All the Presidents’ Children. This book was written by young man in my area, Noah McCullough, now 13. You can read about him at Local teen author has plans to make his run for White House, featured in the Daily Times-Call, 9/22/08. He’s also written The Essential Book of Presidential Trivia. What an amazing young man! 
• Seven Miles to Freedom: The Robert Smalls Story for children ages four to eight. We hear so much rhetoric about freedom in political speeches. Here’s an example of someone who fought for his and his family’s freedom. Robert Smalls was a slave steamboat wheelman who became one of the Civil War’s greatest heroes. After his daring escape to freedom (I’m not going to spoil the story for you here. You’ll have to read it) Robert helped convince President Lincoln to left African-Americans enlist in the Union Army. 
• AMERICA: The Making of a Nation, this book is the form of an anonymous journal that takes readers through a chronological journey through important moments in American History. This is a gorgeous book and your whole family will enjoy paging through it and discovering hidden gems including lift-the-flap postcards, removable song lyrics, and even a foldout replica of the Declaration of Independence.

There are a few more book suggestions at my post Join me at the DNC: children’s books on politics, presidents, and elections. And if you’re more into videos than books, check out Election 2008: Schoolhouse Rock! The Election Collection.

Help children explore the political process

Here are some online resources for you to help your children learn more about democracy and the election:

• Duck for President
• Scholastic News Online’s Countdown to Election 2008
• Rock the Vote: Involving Kids in the Election Process at Parents.com
• Kids Voting USA
• Kids Turn Central
• The Democracy Project at PBS Kids Go!
• Take Your Kids to Vote

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