{"id":2846,"date":"2012-10-01T16:42:57","date_gmt":"2012-10-01T20:42:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/?p=2846"},"modified":"2021-08-14T15:26:24","modified_gmt":"2021-08-14T19:26:24","slug":"elections-and-presidents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/elections-and-presidents\/","title":{"rendered":"Presidents and Elections"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Elephants and donkeys; a president who got stuck in the bathtub; and some great political cartoons\u2026<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-transparent ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a1efa28968e8\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a1efa28968e8\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/elections-and-presidents\/#FICTIONAL_ELECTIONS\" >FICTIONAL ELECTIONS<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/elections-and-presidents\/2\/#FACTUAL_ELECTIONS\" >FACTUAL ELECTIONS<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/elections-and-presidents\/2\/#PRESIDENTS\" >PRESIDENTS<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/elections-and-presidents\/3\/#VOTING_ELECTIONS%E2%80%A6and_Math\" >VOTING, ELECTIONS&#8230;and Math<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/elections-and-presidents\/3\/#POLITICAL_CARTOONS\" >POLITICAL CARTOONS<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/elections-and-presidents\/3\/#WHO_SAYS_YOURE_TOO_YOUNG_TO_VOTE\" >WHO SAYS YOU&#8217;RE TOO YOUNG TO VOTE?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FICTIONAL_ELECTIONS\"><\/span><strong>FICTIONAL ELECTIONS<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15750\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/duck-for-pres-234x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"234\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/duck-for-pres-234x300.jpg 234w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/duck-for-pres.jpg 491w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 234px) 100vw, 234px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>By Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin, <em>Duck for President<\/em> (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2004) is a clever and hilarious take on the political process. Duck is unhappy with his assigned chores on the farm (take out the trash, mow the lawn, grind the coffee beans), so he decides to hold an election and run for farmer. He beats the incumbent Farmer Brown; then finds that running a farm is hard work, so \u2013 in best Peter Principle fashion &#8211; he decides to run for governor, then president. (His campaign motto: \u201cDuck, making us proud again.\u201d) Executive office, however, also proves too taxing, and when Duck discovers that Farmer Brown is now advertising for a duck, he turns the Oval Office over to the vice president and returns to the farm. A hoot for ages 4 and up.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15780\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/vote-for-me-241x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"241\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/vote-for-me-241x300.jpg 241w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/vote-for-me.jpg 260w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 241px) 100vw, 241px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>The cover of Ben Clanton\u2019s <em>Vote for Me!<\/em> (Kids Can Press, 2012) has a glaring Donkey on the blue half of the page and a hostile Elephant on the red, which sets the stage for the rest of the action: the respective candidates bicker, bellow, call each other names, and offer shameless bribes to the electorate (PEANUTS! CANDY!). The outcome: independent candidate Mouse swoops in and wins the day. It\u2019s a fun (but sobering) take on political discourse for ages 4 and up.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15753\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/election-day-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/election-day-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/election-day.jpg 334w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td><em>Election Day<\/em> (Simon Spotlight, 2004) in Margaret McNamara\u2019s Robin Hill School Ready-to-Read series features a classroom election. Kid candidates make grand campaign promises \u2013 a candy machine, no homework, a six-month summer vacation \u2013 until Becky takes a turn, explaining sensibly that she can\u2019t guarantee spectacular treats, but that she\u2019ll do her best. Guess who wins? (After, that is, the everybody-cover-your-eyes secret vote.) For ages 4-6.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15781\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/grace-for-president-233x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"233\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/grace-for-president-233x300.jpg 233w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/grace-for-president.jpg 389w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 233px) 100vw, 233px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>In Kelly S. DiPucchio\u2019s <em>Grace for President<\/em> (Hyperion Books for Children, 2012), when teacher Mrs. Barrington rolls out a poster of presidential portraits, Grace Campbell is appalled: \u201cWHERE ARE THE GIRLS?\u201d Upset, Grace decides to run for president \u2013 and her teacher helps by organizing an election in which the kids in the class represent different states with their varying complements of electoral college votes. For ages 5-8.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15746\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/bad-kitty-for-pres-206x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"206\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/bad-kitty-for-pres-206x300.jpg 206w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/bad-kitty-for-pres-704x1024.jpg 704w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/bad-kitty-for-pres-768x1118.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/bad-kitty-for-pres-1056x1536.jpg 1056w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/bad-kitty-for-pres-1407x2048.jpg 1407w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/bad-kitty-for-pres.jpg 1648w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 206px) 100vw, 206px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>Nick Bruel\u2019s Bad Kitty books are hilarious graphic novels, with black-and-white illustrations and interpolated nonfictional explanations of the action (from Uncle Murray, owner of the hapless Poor Puppy). In <em>Bad Kitty for President<\/em> (Square Fish, 2012), readers learn about elections as Bad Kitty competes to be president of the Neighborhood Cat Coalition. For ages 7 and up.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15749\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/class-president-207x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"207\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/class-president-207x300.jpg 207w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/class-president.jpg 344w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 207px) 100vw, 207px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>In Johanna Hurwitz\u2019s <em>Class President<\/em> (HarperCollins, 1990), the fifth grade is electing a president. The main contenders are class clown Lucas and teacher\u2019s pet Cricket (characters featured in Hurwitz\u2019s earlier books), but Julio, Lucas\u2019s generous, upright, and responsible campaign manager, seems more suited for the job. A chapter book for ages 7-10.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15745\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/babymouse-for-pres-238x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"238\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/babymouse-for-pres-238x300.jpg 238w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/babymouse-for-pres-814x1024.jpg 814w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/babymouse-for-pres-768x966.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/babymouse-for-pres-1221x1536.jpg 1221w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/babymouse-for-pres-1628x2048.jpg 1628w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/babymouse-for-pres.jpg 1729w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 238px) 100vw, 238px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>In Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm\u2019s <em>Babymouse for President<\/em> (Random House, 2012), Babymouse \u2013 the endearing mouse \u201cwith messy whiskers and a complete inability to remember her gym sneakers\u201d \u2013 is running for president on a platform of a cupcake in every locker. She\u2019s up against Felicia Furrypaws and her notorious mean-girl coalition. This is one of the popular Babymouse graphic novel series (in black, white, and pink) for ages 7-11.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15756\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/how-not-to-run-for-pres-205x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"205\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/how-not-to-run-for-pres-205x300.jpg 205w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/how-not-to-run-for-pres.jpg 341w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 205px) 100vw, 205px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>In Catherine Clark\u2019s <em>How Not to Run for President<\/em> (Egmont USA, 2011), twelve-year-old clarinet player Aidan Schroeckenbauer saves presidential candidate Bettina Brandon (of the Fresh Idea Party) from a plummeting sign at a rally and ends up adopted by her campaign. The book is a catchy take on the election process, as Aidan copes with dirty politics and invasive media \u2013 and with Brandon\u2019s daughter Emma, who can\u2019t stand him. For ages 8-12.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15762\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/kid-who-ran-for-pres-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/kid-who-ran-for-pres-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/kid-who-ran-for-pres.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>The star of Dan Gutman\u2019s <em>The Kid Who Ran for President<\/em> (Scholastic Paperbacks, 2012) is 12-year-old Judson Moon, who decides to run for president in the 2000 election. He and best friend\/campaign manager Lane Brainard found the Lemonade Party, recruit June Syers, Judson\u2019s elderly African-American ex-babysitter as vice presidential running mate, and make it all the way to the debates on national TV. Amazingly, he wins the election (voters love him) &#8211; though Judson ultimately turns down the presidency, feeling that he\u2019s bitten off more than he can chew. It\u2019s funny, but there\u2019s food for discussion here too: why, for example, do you have to be at least 35 to run for president? And why would adults vote for a kid? For ages 8-11.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15754\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/fake-mustache-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/fake-mustache-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/fake-mustache-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/fake-mustache-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/fake-mustache-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/fake-mustache-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/fake-mustache.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>Tom Angleberger\u2019s thoroughly goofy <em>Fake Mustache<\/em> (Amulet Books, 2012), subtitled \u201cOr, How Jodie O\u2019Rodeo and Her Wonder Horse (and Some Nerdy Kid) Saved the U.S. Presidental Election from a Mad Genius Criminal Mastermind,\u201d features seventh-grader Lenny Flem Jr. and his friend Casper, who gets a gift of $400 from his nana Nookums and uses it to buy an impressive and expensive fake mustache (a Heidelberg Handlebar Number Seven) and a man-about-town suit. Thus disguised, Casper embarks on a career of bank-robbing (lifting billions), with the goal of becoming President of the United States and taking over the world. Only Lenny (the nerdy kid of the title) and Jodie O\u2019Rodeo, a TV teenage singing cowgirl, are immune to Casper\u2019s mesmerizing appeal, and it\u2019s up to them to foil his dastardly plot. For ages 9-12.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15778\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/vote-for-larry-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/vote-for-larry-199x300.jpg 199w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/vote-for-larry.jpg 315w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>Janet Tashjian\u2019s footnote-spotted <em>Vote for Larry<\/em> (Square Fish, 2008) is told in the first person by 17-year-old prodigy Josh Swenson, whose virtual alter ego Larry plans to reform politics by running for the presidency. Mystery, romance, idealism, and a lot of political facts for ages 14 and up. Also by Tashjian featuring Josh\/Larry: <em>The Gospel According to Larry<\/em> (2004) and <em>Larry and the Meaning of Life<\/em> (2008).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/plot-against-america-192x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"192\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/plot-against-america-192x300.png 192w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/plot-against-america.png 328w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 192px) 100vw, 192px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>Philip Roth&#8217;s <em>The Plot Against America<\/em> (HMH, 2004) is an alternative history in which Franklin Roosevelt is defeated in the election of 1940 by Charles Lindbergh, a Hitler sympathizer, under whom anti-Semitism runs rampant. For teens and adults.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15761\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/it-cant-happen-here-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/it-cant-happen-here-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/it-cant-happen-here.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>Sinclair Lewis\u2019s <em>It Can\u2019t Happen Here<\/em> (Signet, 2014), originally published in 1935, is a cautionary tale about the fragility of democracy. Buzz Windrip, a jingoistic demagogue, has been elected to the presidency, promising to bring prosperity and greatness, but instead establishing an authoritarian state. In opposition is small-town Vermont newspaper editor Doremus Jessup. An important and timely read for teens and adults.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h4><strong>FACTUAL ELECTIONS<\/strong><\/h4>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15758\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/if-i-ran-for-pres-236x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"236\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/if-i-ran-for-pres-236x300.jpg 236w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/if-i-ran-for-pres.jpg 403w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 236px) 100vw, 236px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>Catherine Stier\u2019s <em>If I Ran for President<\/em> (Albert Whitman &amp; Company, 2007) is a nicely done introduction in which six multiracial kids take turns explaining the ins and outs of the election process, from the initial decision to run, through campaigns, primaries, conventions, debates, voting, and the ultimate decision of the electoral college, ending with the inaugural address. For ages 5-9.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15775\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/today-on-election-day-240x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"240\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/today-on-election-day-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/today-on-election-day.jpg 342w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>Also by Stier, <em>Today on Election Day<\/em> (Albert Whitman &amp; Company, 2012), provides information about the election process through a fictional story about a class election day.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15751\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/election-activity-book-231x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"231\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/election-activity-book-231x300.jpg 231w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/election-activity-book-788x1024.jpg 788w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/election-activity-book-768x997.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/election-activity-book.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 231px) 100vw, 231px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>Karen Balcker\u2019s 32-page <em>Election Activity Book<\/em> (Scholastic Teaching Resources, 2012) has dozens of projects, games, and activities on campaigns, elections, and presidents. For example, kids make an election timeline, conduct opinion polls, design political ads, and make a presidential fact wheel. For ages 6-8.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15776\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/vote-by-christelow-300x263.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"263\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/vote-by-christelow-300x263.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/vote-by-christelow-768x674.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/vote-by-christelow.jpg 854w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>Eileen Christelow\u2019s <em>Vote!<\/em> (Clarion Books, 2008) uses the election of a new mayor as a jumping-off point for a discussion of the history of voting rights, the nature of political parties, and the campaign and voting process, with a lot of humorous illustrations and comments by the mayoral candidate\u2019s two very involved dogs, Elmer and Sparky. A great choice for ages 7-10.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15777\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/vote-eyewitness-233x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"233\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/vote-eyewitness-233x300.jpg 233w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/vote-eyewitness-795x1024.jpg 795w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/vote-eyewitness-768x989.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/vote-eyewitness.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 233px) 100vw, 233px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td><em>Vote<\/em> in the popular DK Eyewitness series (Dorling Kindersley Publishing, 2008) is a visually appealing history of the election process, lushly illustrated with photos of artifacts and reproductions of prints and paintings. Each double-page spread covers a different topic, among them \u201cDemocratic roots,\u201d \u201cThe first parliaments,\u201d \u201cSlaves or citizens?\u201d \u201cPower to the workers,\u201d \u201cVotes for women,\u201d \u201cHow elections work,\u201d and \u201cProtest!\u201d Also included are world facts and figures, a timeline of democracy, and an \u201cA to Z of famous people.\u201d For ages 8-12.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15772\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/see-how-they-run-231x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"231\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/see-how-they-run-231x300.jpg 231w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/see-how-they-run-790x1024.jpg 790w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/see-how-they-run-768x996.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/see-how-they-run-1184x1536.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/see-how-they-run-1579x2048.jpg 1579w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/see-how-they-run.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 231px) 100vw, 231px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td><em>See How They Run: Campaign Dreams, Election Schemes, and the Race to the White House<\/em> by Susan E. Goodman (Bloomsbury USA, 2008) is a 96-page history of elections from the beginnings of democracy in ancient Greece to the modern-day electoral college, spattered with witty anecdotes, fact sidebars, quotations, photos, illustrations, and clear explanations. Readers learn all the basics, plus get the scoop on mudslinging, assassinations, and Andrew Jackson\u2019s over-the-top inauguration party that wreaked havoc with the White House chairs. For ages 9-13.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15752\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/election-by-gutman-192x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"192\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/election-by-gutman-192x300.jpg 192w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/election-by-gutman-656x1024.jpg 656w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/election-by-gutman-768x1198.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/election-by-gutman-984x1536.jpg 984w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/election-by-gutman-1312x2048.jpg 1312w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/election-by-gutman.jpg 1538w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 192px) 100vw, 192px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>Jaded adults may not agree with the introductory description of a presidential campaign (\u201cIt\u2019s like one big yearlong party\u201d), but Dan Gutman\u2019s <em>Election! A Kid\u2019s Guide to Picking Our President<\/em> (Open Road Young Readers, 2012), written in a catchy question-and-answer format, is an excellent overview of presidential elections for ages 9-12. Sample questions include \u201cWhy do we have a president?\u201d \u201cIs the president the boss of the United States?\u201d and \u201cWhat\u2019s the difference between a Democrat and a Republican?\u201d For ages 9 and up.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15769\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/pres-elections-and-cool-facts-229x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"229\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/pres-elections-and-cool-facts-229x300.jpg 229w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/pres-elections-and-cool-facts.jpg 381w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 229px) 100vw, 229px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>In similar question-and-answer format see Syl Sobel\u2019s <em>Presidential Elections and Other Cool Facts<\/em> (Barron\u2019s Educational Series, 2012).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15763\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/liberal-conserv-or-confused-192x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"192\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/liberal-conserv-or-confused-192x300.jpg 192w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/liberal-conserv-or-confused.jpg 319w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 192px) 100vw, 192px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>Richard J. Maybury\u2019s <em>Are You Liberal? Conservative? Or Confused?<\/em> (Bluestocking Press, 2004), written as a series of helpful letters from the savvy Uncle Eric to his politically confused niece\/nephew Chris, endeavors to define such essential terms as liberal, conservative, left, and right, and to put them in historical perspective.\u00a0 Maybury is opinionated and readers may not always agree with his views, but he\u2019s a guaranteed discussion-starter. For ages 11 and up.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-20719\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/business_43_large-300x257.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"257\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/business_43_large-300x257.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/business_43_large-768x659.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/business_43_large.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/td>\n<td>At <a href=\"http:\/\/bensguide.gpo.gov\/\">Ben\u2019s Guide to the U.S. Government for Kids<\/a>, Ben is a cartoon Benjamin Franklin who provides grade-specific general information on the process of electing the president, vice president, senators, and representatives. Explanations are provided at three different levels, for grades 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-20721\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/unnamed.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"280\" height=\"280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/unnamed.png 280w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/unnamed-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 280px) 100vw, 280px\" \/><\/td>\n<td>From the Library of Congress, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.loc.gov\/teachers\/classroommaterials\/presentationsandactivities\/presentations\/elections\/index.html\">Elections\u2026the American Way<\/a>\u00a0is an excellent historical overview of presidential elections, illustrated with period photographs. Topics covered include Candidates, Voters (\u201cWho can vote? How has this changed over time?\u201d), the Party System, the Election Process, and Campaign Issues. See the Candidates page (click on \u201cGallery\u201d) for a project in which kids make their own slate of presidential candidates in the form of dried-apple dolls.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><\/td>\n<td>From Duke University, <a href=\"http:\/\/scriptorium.lib.duke.edu\/americavotes\/\">America Votes<\/a>\u00a0is a fascinating collection of historical campaign memorabilia, everything from buttons, songs, and trading cards, to inflammatory leaflets and bumper stickers. Included are images, interesting explanations, and links to historical presidential campaigns and political parties.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"http:\/\/www.generationnation.org\/documents\/scavengerhunt.pdf\">Election Scavenger Hunt\u00a0<\/a>is a project in which kids scour the newspapers for informational articles, photographs, and cartoons about the opposing candidates. Adaptable for a wide range of ages.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-20720\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/bryan.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"211\" height=\"280\" \/><\/td>\n<td>From the Smithsonian in Your Classroom, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.smithsonianeducation.org\/educators\/lesson_plans\/elections\/cover.html \">Winning the Vote: How Americans Elect Their President<\/a>\u00a0is a collection of interactive lesson plans on the presidency, political parties, and presidential campaigns. Included at the website are instructions, discussion questions and printable illustrated worksheets.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.history.com\/topics\/us-presidents\/presidential-elections-1\">Presidential Elections<\/a> covers all in order, starting with George Washington.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h4><strong>PRESIDENTS<\/strong><\/h4>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15759\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/if-I-were-pres-Stier-236x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"236\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/if-I-were-pres-Stier-236x300.jpg 236w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/if-I-were-pres-Stier-768x975.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/if-I-were-pres-Stier.jpg 788w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 236px) 100vw, 236px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>Catherine Stier\u2019s <em>If I Were President<\/em> (Albert Whitman &amp; Company, 1999), explains the duties (and perks) of the president through the eyes of a presidential kid, wearing a blue jacket and red bowtie. \u201cIf I were president, I\u2019d start work early each morning in the Oval Office\u2026If I were president, each year I\u2019d give a speech to Congress called the State of the Union\u2026If I were president, one of my favorite jobs would be passing out medals to people who had done brave deeds.\u201d For ages 4-8.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15773\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/so-you-want-to-be-pres-236x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"236\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/so-you-want-to-be-pres-236x300.jpg 236w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/so-you-want-to-be-pres-806x1024.jpg 806w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/so-you-want-to-be-pres-768x976.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/so-you-want-to-be-pres-1209x1536.jpg 1209w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/so-you-want-to-be-pres-1612x2048.jpg 1612w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/so-you-want-to-be-pres.jpg 2015w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 236px) 100vw, 236px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>Judith St. George\u2019s <em>So You Want to Be President? <\/em>(Philomel Books, 2004), a creative picture-book overview of presidents and the presidency, begins with the good and bad aspects of the office. Good: You get to live in the White House, with your own swimming pool, bowling alley, and movie theater. Bad: You have to be dressed up all the time. (William McKinley, St. George tells us, decked himself out daily in a frock coat, satin tie, gloves, and top hat.)<\/p>\n<p>A collective portrait of presidents in labeled T-shirts is a gallery of presidential first names: six Jameses, four Johns, four Williams, three Georges, two Andrews, and two Franklins. Many presidents had pets (Benjamin Harrison kept a goat); some were musical (Jefferson played the violin; John Quincy Adams, the flute; Warren Harding, the sousaphone); and several had unconventional educations. (Nine presidents never went to college; and Andrew Johnson didn\u2019t learn to read until he was fourteen). An appendix lists the presidents in chronological order, with brief statements of crucial events of their administrations. For ages 6-10.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15766\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/mike-venezia-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/mike-venezia-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/mike-venezia-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/mike-venezia.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/td>\n<td>Mike Venezia\u2019s Getting to Know the U.S. Presidents series (Children\u2019s Press) is a collection of clever 32-page biographies of every president from (so far) George Washington to George W. Bush, each illustrated with photos, period prints, and clever cartoon asides. For ages 5-9.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15783\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/president-stuck-in-bathtub-274x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"274\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/president-stuck-in-bathtub-274x300.jpg 274w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/president-stuck-in-bathtub.jpg 456w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 274px) 100vw, 274px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>Susan Katz\u2019s <em>The President\u2019s Stuck in the Bathtub<\/em> (Clarion Books, 2012) is a collection of 43 funny and fact-filled illustrated poems, one for each president (so far), beginning with \u201cWhere Didn\u2019t George Washington Sleep?\u201d (Everywhere except the White House.) For ages 6-9.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15784\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/taft-in-bath-258x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"258\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/taft-in-bath-258x300.jpg 258w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/taft-in-bath-881x1024.jpg 881w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/taft-in-bath-768x893.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/taft-in-bath-1321x1536.jpg 1321w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/taft-in-bath-1762x2048.jpg 1762w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 258px) 100vw, 258px\" \/><\/td>\n<td>Also see Mac Barnett&#8217;s <em>President Taft is Stuck in the Bath<\/em> (Candlewick, 2016). (&#8220;Blast!&#8221; said Taft. &#8220;This could be bad.&#8221;) For ages 4-8.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><\/td>\n<td>For more on the particularly plump President Taft, see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2017\/09\/15\/opinion\/william-howard-taft-bathtub.html\">William Howard Taft is Still Stuck in the Tub<\/a>.<a href=\"http:\/\/carlanthonyonline.com\/2011\/04\/19\/president-obesity-stuck-in-the-tub\/\"><br \/>\n<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-15757\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/i-grew-up-to-be-pres-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/i-grew-up-to-be-pres-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/i-grew-up-to-be-pres-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/i-grew-up-to-be-pres.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>Laurie Calkhoven\u2019s <em>I Grew Up to Be President<\/em> (Scholastic Paperbacks, 2011) is a nicely designed introduction to the presidents from Washington to Obama, with a colorful pair of pages devoted to each, covering childhood, career, notable accomplishments, and unusual facts. Short sections at the end explain the three branches of government and the process of presidential elections. For ages 7-11.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15771\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/presidential-pets-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/presidential-pets-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/presidential-pets-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/presidential-pets.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>Julia Moberg\u2019s <em>Presidential Pets<\/em> (Charlesbridge, 2012) provides \u00a0bulleted lists of catchy information (Presidential Stats, Tell Me More, and Accomplishments &amp; Events) on all the presidents and their pets \u2013 which included, along with a lot of conventional dogs and cats, John Quincy Adams\u2019s alligator, Thomas Jefferson\u2019s bear cubs, Martin Van Buren\u2019s tigers, Teddy Roosevelt\u2019s zebra, and Woodrow Wilson\u2019s sheep. A drawback: each president\/pet is introduced with an awkward little poem.\u00a0 For ages 7-11.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15770\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/presidential-pets-coloring-bk-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/presidential-pets-coloring-bk-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/presidential-pets-coloring-bk.jpg 751w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/td>\n<td>Like to color? Diana Zourelias\u2019s <em>Presidential Pets Coloring Book<\/em> (Dover Publications, 2009) has black-line drawings of 30 presidents and their conglomerations of pets, each with a short informative paragraph. (Calvin Coolidge kept chickens in the bathtub.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15764\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/lives-of-the-presidents-249x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"249\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/lives-of-the-presidents-249x300.jpg 249w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/lives-of-the-presidents-849x1024.jpg 849w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/lives-of-the-presidents-768x926.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/lives-of-the-presidents-1274x1536.jpg 1274w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/lives-of-the-presidents-1698x2048.jpg 1698w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/lives-of-the-presidents.jpg 1700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 249px) 100vw, 249px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>Kathleen Krull\u2019s <em>Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame, (and What the Neighbors Thought)<\/em> (Harcourt Children\u2019s Books, 2011) is a talented, terrific, and highly readable collection of 42 presidential biographies, filled with human interest, and illustrated with (giant-headed) portraits by Kathryn Hewitt. Highly recommended for ages 8 and up.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15779\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/white-house-kids-270x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"270\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/white-house-kids-270x300.jpg 270w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/white-house-kids.jpg 405w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>Joe Rhatigan\u2019s <em>White House Kids<\/em> (Imagine Publishing, 2012) is a creatively designed 96-page history of presidents\u2019 children, illustrated with photos, paintings, and period prints. Included are short first-person accounts of their experiences by the kids themselves and intriguing fact boxes with titles like \u201cWhat Did the Jackson White House Kids Get for Christmas?\u201d For ages 7-12.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-17939\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/The-presidents-American-Experience-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/The-presidents-American-Experience-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/The-presidents-American-Experience-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/The-presidents-American-Experience.png 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/td>\n<td>PBS\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/wgbh\/americanexperience\/collections\/presidents\/\">The Presidents<\/a> series covers them all in individual episodes, from George Washington to Bill Clinton. At the website, click on each president for primary source material, images, and film clips.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h4><strong>VOTING, ELECTIONS&#8230;and Math<\/strong><\/h4>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15765\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/mac-and-cheese-217x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"217\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/mac-and-cheese-217x300.jpg 217w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/mac-and-cheese-740x1024.jpg 740w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/mac-and-cheese-768x1063.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/mac-and-cheese-1109x1536.jpg 1109w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/mac-and-cheese-1479x2048.jpg 1479w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/mac-and-cheese.jpg 1849w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 217px) 100vw, 217px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>Eleanor May\u2019s <em>Mac &amp; Cheese, Pleeze!<\/em> (Kane Press, 2008) is an upbeat exercise in election math as Caitlin\u2019s class holds a Lunch Election, with each kid campaigning for a chosen main dish. Among the contenders are Turkey Wieners, Tofu Surprise, and Caitlin\u2019s own Mac &amp; Cheese. As Caitlin plugs her favorite, she devises quick tricks for calculating the rapidly changing numbers of supportive voters. For ages 6-8.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15760\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/is-democracy-fair-224x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"224\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/is-democracy-fair-224x300.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/is-democracy-fair.jpg 372w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 224px) 100vw, 224px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td><em>Is Democracy Fair?<\/em> by Leslie Johnson Nielsen and Michael de Villiers (Key Curriculum Press, 1997) is an activity-based 150+-page text on the mathematics of voting and apportionment \u2013 that is, problems created by different voting methods and election decision procedures, and problems pertaining to apportioning equitable numbers of representatives to the U.S. House. A thought-provoking meld of math, history, and politics with many project suggestions for ages 12 and up.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.science.org.au\/curious\/everything-else\/mathematics-voting\">The Mathematics of Voting<\/a>\u00a0covers fairness criteria, voting methods, and ranking procedures, all with explanations and exercises. For ages 12 and up.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><\/td>\n<td>See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ams.org\/publicoutreach\/feature-column\/fcarc-voting-introduction\">Voting and Elections<\/a> from the American Mathematical Society. For teens and up.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15767\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/numbers-rule-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/numbers-rule-199x300.jpg 199w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/numbers-rule.jpg 331w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>George G. Szpiro\u2019s <em>Numbers Rule<\/em> (Princeton University Press, 2010), subtitled \u201cThe Vexing Mathematics of Democracy from Plato to the Present,\u201d is a fascinating in-depth look at elections and voting methods, combining biography, human interest, history, and \u2013 yes \u2013 math. Learn about ancient Greek murder trials, Lewis Carroll\u2019s take on voting, and how to choose a pope. For older teenagers and adults.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><\/td>\n<td>From the <em>New Yorker<\/em>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.newyorker.com\/arts\/critics\/books\/2010\/07\/26\/100726crbo_books_gottlieb\">Win or Lose<\/a>\u00a0discusses various voting methods and reviews Szpiro\u2019s book.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h4><strong>POLITICAL CARTOONS<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Just as no man is a hero to his valet, no politician is a hero to a political cartoonist. Those cartoons provide lots of food for thought. Especially in an election year.<\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15748\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/censorship-203x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"203\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/censorship-203x300.jpg 203w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/censorship.jpg 338w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 203px) 100vw, 203px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"rg_ilmbg\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>From Greenhaven Press, the Examining Issues Through Political Cartoons series includes themed volumes on <em>Abortion<\/em>, <em>Censorship<\/em>, <em>The Death Penalty<\/em>, <em>The Environment<\/em>, <em>Euthanasia<\/em>, <em>The Great Depression<\/em>, <em>Illegal Immigration<\/em>, <em>Iraq<\/em>, <em>The Nazis<\/em>, <em>Terrorism<\/em>, <em>The Vietnam War<\/em>, and <em>Weapons of Mass Destruction<\/em>. For ages 12 and up.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15747\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/best-editorial-cartoons-232x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"232\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/best-editorial-cartoons-232x300.jpg 232w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/best-editorial-cartoons.jpg 386w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 232px) 100vw, 232px\" \/><\/td>\n<td>Edited by Charles Brooks, <em>Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year<\/em> (Pelican Publishing), issued annually, is a thought-provoking collection of the best, covering a broad range of political and social topics. For teenagers and adults.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><\/td>\n<td>From the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists, <a href=\"http:\/\/nieonline.com\/aaec\/cftc.cfm#\">Cartoons for the Classroom<\/a> has many downloadable cartoon-based lesson plans, cartoon evaluation worksheets, and blank cartoons (invent your own captions).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"http:\/\/teachinghistory.org\/teaching-materials\/teaching-guides\/21733\">Interpreting Political Cartoons in the History Classroom<\/a> is a general guide to understanding and analyzing political cartoons. Included are teaching suggestions and printable worksheets with sample cartoons.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><\/td>\n<td>From the Library of Congress, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.loc.gov\/classroom-materials\/political-cartoons-and-public-debates\/\">Political Cartoons<\/a> has lesson plans, a teacher\u2019s guide, historical political cartoon collections, and more.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h4><strong>WHO SAYS YOU&#8217;RE TOO YOUNG TO VOTE?<\/strong><\/h4>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 300px;\"><strong> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15785\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/your-vote-counts-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/your-vote-counts-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/your-vote-counts-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/your-vote-counts.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/strong><\/td>\n<td>The University of Virginia\u2019s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.youthleadership.net\/\">Youth Leadership Initiative<\/a>\u00a0&#8211;\u00a0an online resource for civics teachers &#8211; has lesson plans for grades K-12, an interactive legislative simulation (\u201cE-Congress\u201d) in which participating kids can bring a bill to law, a political campaign simulation (\u201cA More Perfect Union\u201d), and a mock election in which registered participants can vote for senators, representatives, state governors, and president.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Elephants and donkeys; a president who got stuck in the bathtub; and some great political cartoons\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17591,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[773],"tags":[292,293,296,290,298,684,683,300,299,297,295,291,294],"class_list":["post-2846","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-history","tag-book-on-elections-for-children","tag-books-about-presidents-for-children","tag-election-activities","tag-elections","tag-elections-and-math","tag-elections-and-presidents-lesson-plans","tag-elections-and-presidents-teaching-resources","tag-national-student-mock-election","tag-political-cartoons","tag-presidential-biographies","tag-presidential-election-for-kids","tag-presidents","tag-voting"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2846","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2846"}],"version-history":[{"count":78,"href":"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2846\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20723,"href":"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2846\/revisions\/20723"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17591"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2846"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2846"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rebeccaruppresources.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2846"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}