And the Nominees Are...
By Lisa Von Drasek

SpongeBob, the Fairly OddParents and other favorite characters give this election guide a kick.

Just in time for election season, there's a bumper crop of related books. I hereby nominate the following titles for supporting classroom curriculum:

Nominated for most accessible vocabulary
D is for Democracy: A Citizen's Alphabet by Elissa Grodin (Sleeping Bear Press, 2004, ISBN: 1-585-36234-4). Each letter is introduced with a short verse, such as "A is for Amendment, a fancy word for change. The Constitution's authors planned for us, long-range." Each page also features a sidebar with an example, in this case a discussion of the Thirteenth and Nineteenth Amendments.

Nominated for most amusing
Duck for President by Doreen Cronin (Simon and Schuster, 2004, ISBN: 0-689-86377-2). The animals from Cronin's best-selling Click, Clack, Moo (Simon and Schuster, 2000, ISBN: 0-689-83213-3) are feeling oppressed. The pigs are tired of cleaning, the cows are tired of weeding, the sheep sweeping the barn and Duck ends the day covered with bits of grass and espresso beans. The animals nominate, then elect Duck for Farmer. Duck aims for higher office in this engaging romp through the electoral process. For ages 5-8.

Nominated for most fun and practical
Election Connection: The Official Nick Guide to Electing the President (Chronicle, 2004, ISBN: 0-811-84175-8). Familiar cartoon characters like Jimmy Neutron and SpongeBob SquarePants clearly detail the electoral process to guide third grade and up in their own mock presidential elections. Get a free election kit by sending a self-addressed mailing label to Election Connection Event Kit, Teaching K-8 Offer, Chronicle Books, 85 Second St., 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105.

The runner-up is Vote! by Eileen Christelow (Clarion, 2004, ISBN: 0-618-48606-2), a guide to voting for second through fifth grade. The text follows a mayoral election from rallies, fundraisers and debates through the election itself. Dog cartoon "asides" clear up any confusion. Included are a glossary, time line and resource list for preparing a classroom election. For a teacher's guide, send a self-addressed, #10 envelope with 37 cents postage to: Clarion Books Promo Dept., 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003.

Additional insight can be gained from America Votes: How Our President Is Elected by Linda Granfield (Kids Can Press, 2003, ISBN: 1-553-37086-4), a guide for grades four to six. Easy-to-understand prose and kid-friendly illustrations examine topics such as voting rights and the Electoral College.

Nominated for most comprehensive for sixth grade and above
Encyclopedia of The American Presidency by Michael A. Genovese (Facts On File, 2004, ISBN: 0-816-04699-9). This book is organized in alphabetical order. Looking for currency of material? The Al Gore entry provides a biography as well as an overview of the 2000 election, which Gore lost by Florida's 25 electoral votes. Want to know more? Page back to the entry on the Electoral College for an explanation. There's also a selected bibliography as well as a bibliography by president.

Nominated for easiest to read
Robin Hill School: Election Day by Margaret McNamara (Aladdin, 2004, ISBN: 0-689-86425-6). The new student, Becky, arrives at school the day of class elections in this beginning reader.

A Woman for President is the inspiring story of Victoria Woodhull, the first American woman to run for president.

Nominated for best books on women's' suffrage
A Woman For President: The Story of Victoria Woodhull by Kathleen Krull (Walker, 2004, ISBN: 0-802-78908-0). This picture book for older students focuses on Victoria Woodhull, who campaigned for the presidency 47 years before women gained the right to vote.

For grades five through eight, try With Courage and Cloth: Winning the Fight for a Woman's Right to Vote (National Geographic, 2004, ISBN: 0-792-26991-8). Ann Bausum, author of Our Country's Presidents (National Geographic, 2001, ISBN: 0-792-27226-9) takes an in-depth look at women's suffrage. The book includes profiles of important activists such as Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Sojourner Truth. There's also a chronology and a resource guide for further reading.

Visit http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/ndlpedu/collections/naw/history.html for activities to use with the National American Woman Suffrage Association Collection.

More election links
TeachableMoment.Org provides teaching ideas that encourage critical thinking on issues of the day. Topical activities are available for elementary school, middle school and high school levels. www.teachablemoment.org/high/election9.html

The Public Broadcasting System has created an abundance of classroom activities in their program "By the People: Election 2004." You'll find them at www.pbs.org/elections/kids/educators.html

The New York Times offers www.nytimes.com/learning/issues_in_depth/20040128.html which is packed with election resources, including a crossword puzzle titled "The Electoral Process."

Lisa Von Drasek is Children's Librarian at the School for Children, Bank Street College of Education, in New York, NY.