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What are the best politics books for kids? What are the best politics books for kids?
(35 minutes later)
Do you know any great children’s books to help explain politics in the run up to the general election? So far, I’ve given my children the DK Children’s Book of Politics, which is very good and they also have books about the suffragettes. Are there any others? What about fiction? Are there books from around the world, which explore voting and how different political systems work?Do you know any great children’s books to help explain politics in the run up to the general election? So far, I’ve given my children the DK Children’s Book of Politics, which is very good and they also have books about the suffragettes. Are there any others? What about fiction? Are there books from around the world, which explore voting and how different political systems work?
In terms of providing a realistic, non-fiction background to some of the workings of an election and the ways in which the different parties operate, the DK Children’s Book of Politics stands out as the strongest example. Not least because it seems to be alone – or almost alone.In terms of providing a realistic, non-fiction background to some of the workings of an election and the ways in which the different parties operate, the DK Children’s Book of Politics stands out as the strongest example. Not least because it seems to be alone – or almost alone.
Terry Deary’s Knowledge: Potty Politics (with illustrations by Tony Reeve) is full of wit about elections from the past with “mad manifestos” and “vile voters” featuring largely. But it is 15 years old so not so useful when it comes to a sound introduction to events on 7 May. And while Eleanor Levenson’s The Election is a valiant attempt to bring the subject alive for three- and four-year-olds, it can only do so much.Terry Deary’s Knowledge: Potty Politics (with illustrations by Tony Reeve) is full of wit about elections from the past with “mad manifestos” and “vile voters” featuring largely. But it is 15 years old so not so useful when it comes to a sound introduction to events on 7 May. And while Eleanor Levenson’s The Election is a valiant attempt to bring the subject alive for three- and four-year-olds, it can only do so much.
For a look at what the result of an election can do, Adam Hibbert’s How to Be Prime Minister is pitched as if talking to anyone who might think that a prime minister is who they would want to grow up to be. Subtitled The Hands-On Guide to Becoming - the Boss! it gives some insights into how government works and some of what happens inside 10 Downing Street, as well as a quick overview of British democracy and why it is as it is.For a look at what the result of an election can do, Adam Hibbert’s How to Be Prime Minister is pitched as if talking to anyone who might think that a prime minister is who they would want to grow up to be. Subtitled The Hands-On Guide to Becoming - the Boss! it gives some insights into how government works and some of what happens inside 10 Downing Street, as well as a quick overview of British democracy and why it is as it is.
But if you want a feel for politics and a sense of what the big issues are, there are plenty of good novels and picture books that would help all young voters. Understanding the wider issues of politics rather than the specifics of the current election manifestos can start early as children’s books are surprisingly political - sometimes overtly and sometimes subtly. In an article in the New York Times which discussed whether or not children’s books should be political, Jonathan Todres, professor of law at Georgia State University, wrote: “Politics, or rather social issues that have been politicised, are an inherent part of the stories children read and have read to them. Children’s literature provides a safe, imaginative space for children to confront complex issues.”But if you want a feel for politics and a sense of what the big issues are, there are plenty of good novels and picture books that would help all young voters. Understanding the wider issues of politics rather than the specifics of the current election manifestos can start early as children’s books are surprisingly political - sometimes overtly and sometimes subtly. In an article in the New York Times which discussed whether or not children’s books should be political, Jonathan Todres, professor of law at Georgia State University, wrote: “Politics, or rather social issues that have been politicised, are an inherent part of the stories children read and have read to them. Children’s literature provides a safe, imaginative space for children to confront complex issues.”
From guidance on the very simple concept of tolerance in Dr Seuss’s The Butter Battle to titles specifically promoting pacifism such as David McKee’s powerfully understated The Conquerors or Raymond Briggs’s more overtly political commentary on the Falklands War in The Tin-Pot Foreign General and the Old Iron Woman, picture books establish some of the basic socio-political tenets of politics.From guidance on the very simple concept of tolerance in Dr Seuss’s The Butter Battle to titles specifically promoting pacifism such as David McKee’s powerfully understated The Conquerors or Raymond Briggs’s more overtly political commentary on the Falklands War in The Tin-Pot Foreign General and the Old Iron Woman, picture books establish some of the basic socio-political tenets of politics.
Julia L Mickenberg’s Tales for Little Rebels: A Collection of Radical Children’s Literature is an excellent source of hugely enjoyable stories with overtly leftwing political messages by authors such as Julius Lester, Carl Sandberg and Dr Seuss which are relevant to the 20th century such as gender equality, civil rights and the struggle to protect the environment. More about political structures, how governments are elected, how they rule and how easily they are corrupted can be found in fantasies and in the wealth of dystopian fiction in which different kinds of societies are being created in new worlds.Julia L Mickenberg’s Tales for Little Rebels: A Collection of Radical Children’s Literature is an excellent source of hugely enjoyable stories with overtly leftwing political messages by authors such as Julius Lester, Carl Sandberg and Dr Seuss which are relevant to the 20th century such as gender equality, civil rights and the struggle to protect the environment. More about political structures, how governments are elected, how they rule and how easily they are corrupted can be found in fantasies and in the wealth of dystopian fiction in which different kinds of societies are being created in new worlds.
Panem, with the wealthy capitol at its heart and the 12 districts where “ordinary” people exist in poverty is the world that Katniss must fight against in Suzanne Collins’s universally popular The Hunger Games. While readers enjoy the tension of Katniss’s impossible tasks they may also learn something about the cruelty of totalitarian politics. Meanwhile, George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four remains as fresh as ever with its sinister thought police and warnings about Big Brother; it will alert all young readers to the possibilities of political misrule.Panem, with the wealthy capitol at its heart and the 12 districts where “ordinary” people exist in poverty is the world that Katniss must fight against in Suzanne Collins’s universally popular The Hunger Games. While readers enjoy the tension of Katniss’s impossible tasks they may also learn something about the cruelty of totalitarian politics. Meanwhile, George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four remains as fresh as ever with its sinister thought police and warnings about Big Brother; it will alert all young readers to the possibilities of political misrule.
If you have recommendations for books on explaining politics to children do get in touch by emailing childrens.books@theguardian.com or on Twitter @GdnchildrensBks, where you can also pose question on other subjects using #BookDoctor. If you are under 18 and not a member of the Guardian children’s books site join here, we’re packed full of book recommendations and ideas.If you have recommendations for books on explaining politics to children do get in touch by emailing childrens.books@theguardian.com or on Twitter @GdnchildrensBks, where you can also pose question on other subjects using #BookDoctor. If you are under 18 and not a member of the Guardian children’s books site join here, we’re packed full of book recommendations and ideas.
For older readers, got to be The Enemy series - each surviving group sets up a different style of government. #nomnomnom @GdnChildrensBks