Casting Her Ballot: Amelia Bedelia's First Vote by Herman Parish

"WHY ARE YOU RUNNING?" THE NURSE ASKED.

"WE'RE HAVING AN ELECTION!" SAID AMELIA BEDELIA.

"I SEE," SAID NURSE SIMS. "WHAT ARE YOU RUNNING FOR?"

"THE OFFICE," SAID AMELIA BEDELIA.

"OF COURSE," SAID NURSE SIMS. "WHICH ONE?"

"THAT ONE!" SAID AMELIA BEDELIA, POINTING TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE.

In one of little Amelia Bedelia's continuing skirmishes with the idioms of the English language, grade one is having their first class election in Herman Parish's latest, Amelia Bedelia's First Vote (Greenwillow, 2012).

Why do we calling trying to get elected "running for an office?" Like many first graders, six-year-old Amelia Bedelia knows running is something not to be done in school, and the office is where you get sent if you misbehave or feel really sick. But it's a whole new ballgame when it is time to have a classroom vote, and as usual, Amelia Bedelia brings her own outspoken viewpoint energetically to the challenge.

Since there seems to be some confusion about this "running" in school, Amelia Bedelia's suggestion to the principal, Mr. K., is that the kids vote on school rules themselves. He agrees, but a tie follows, resulting in a runoff vote (no running allowed) between daily ice cream in the cafeteria, backed by Teddy, and homework-free Wednesday, backed by Amelia Bedelia. Two contentious parties emerge, and when recess rolls around, Amelia Bedelia takes on the opposition in the race directly--a race outside around the building--which results in another collision and another trip to see Nurse Sims.

"THAT RUN-OFF WAS MORE LIKE A RUN-OVER," SAID AMELIA.

But just then, a news flash comes in. Dawn, out sick for the day, sends a request for her make-up work and a message that her vote is on the side of homework-free Wednesdays, and Amelia Bedelia's party squeaks by with a marginal win on the basis of the absentee vote.

"CONGRATULATIONS, AMELIA BEDELIA!" SAID MR. K. "DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD?"

"I WILL... WHEN WE DO ARITHMETIC," SAID AMELIA BEDELIA.

Cheerily illustrated by Lynn Avril, this latest in the young Amelia Bedelia series provides an opportunity for young readers to begin learning the initially confusing lingo of elections--"running for office," "run-offs," and a "tie" (not the dreary ones Principal K. usually wears with his suits to work). Other "first-time" books in this spin-off series include Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School, Amelia Bedelia's First Field Trip, Amelia Bedelia's First Apple Pie, and Amelia Bedelia's First Valentine.

Tales from the Campaign Trail: Bad Kitty for President by Nick Bruel

NEXT WEEK, OLD KITTY WILL LEAVE OFFICE* AND GIVE UP HIS ROLE AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD CAT CLUB.

WHY? IT'S NOT JUST BECAUSE HE'S OLD AND TIRED. IT'S ALSO BECAUSE HE WILL HAVE SERVED TWO FULL TERMS IN OFFICE WHICH IS THE LONGEST ANY KITTY IS ALLOWED TO BE PRESIDENT.

And that means... Bad Kitty's moment has come. She had wisdom. She has a persuasive personality. (Mwroour! Hiss! FFFTTT!) And she has an issue--the invasion of her neighborhood by stray cats who seem to be occupying the trash cans along the street. And it seems she has a wily and wise campaign manager, her ever-patient owner who is more than willing to instruct her in the ways of politics.

First, he explains, there is that little matter of an ELECTION!

WHY, EVEN BEFORE YOU GET ELECTED TO BE PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE TO WIN ANOTHER ELECTION JUST SO YOU CAN HAVE THE HONOR OF RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT IN THE FIRST PLACE.

The ever-willing Uncle Murray steps in to offer technical advice on little items like running for the nomination of your party. Party affiliations are easy to establish--right and left, right? Right and left sides of the street in this case. Bad Kitty soon has a rival for the nomination from the other side--BIG Kitty, who is the winner, paws down in the contest for BABY kissing (just as soon as Baby is done with her her French fries). Now it's on to the general election.

Just when Bad Kitty is getting down and dirty at the grassroots (NO! KITTY, NO! That's NOT what I meant!) another political consultant is called in to draw the veil over that scene, Edna Prunelove, who comes forth to offer campaign advice, and Bad Kitty, done with her digging, is off to try to garner an endorsement from Old Kitty and do some door-to-door campaigning. Chatty Kitty is all too eager to talk, but when opponent Big Kitty opens his door, Bad Kitty is so enraged by his imperturbability (whatcha bet his fur never moves in a hurricane?) and annoying Stepford cat smile, that she goes into one of her famous cat fits.

"MEOWR FFT FFT HISS SPIT REOWR!"

The next thing she knows the photo of her little off-message gaff is on the front page with the headline...

HISSY-FIT! CAT CANDIDATE FREAKS OUT!

...and the video is on the nightly news and going viral on VueTube. Bad Kitty fires her campaign manager.

But Uncle Murry steps into the breach with a little consulting on raising funds for the media campaign--complete with the skinny on PACs and 527 Groups, and soon Bad Kitty has the funds to come up with her own image-morphing video suggesting that Big Kitty is a not just a dog of a candidate but is perhaps an dog in kitty clothing! This campaign is proving full of dirty tricks...and then comes the big DEBATE, moderated by Strange Kitty, who suddenly seems more normal than the two candidates.

At long last comes the actual election day. But, whoa! There are challenges to a voter's registration, and some strange ballot irregularities, and the outcome is clouded, and then... the missing absentee vote turns up just as the polls are about to close!

If all of this sounds more than vaguely familiar to those of us who are worn out with robo-calls, it all points to the comic skills of Bad Kitty's quirky creator, Nick Bruel, whose newest, Bad Kitty for President (Roaring Brook, 2012), somehow manages to make the electoral process pointedly hilarious.

With this chapter book format that takes his cranky Kitty into new territory, populated by both beginning chapter primary readers just venturing out of the picture book phase and older middle readers who may have thought they were too mature for Bad Kitty books. Bruel continues to create comic publications that engage readers, from preschoolers to adults, in laugh-out loud stories. His forte lies equally in his comic art skills and in his keen comic sense that poignantly pokes gentle fun at both kitty and human foibles. "With their trademark wit, Bruel and his bad Kitty are back," says Booklist's reviewer of Bruel's latest.

Best Man for the Job: Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio

On Monday morning in September Mrs. Barrington rolled out a big poster with all the presidents' pictures on it.

Grace Campbell could not believe her eyes.

WHERE ARE THE GIRLS?

To Grace and the other astonished girls, whose living memories barely extend back to George W. Bush's first term, Mrs. Barrington's explanation that there has NEVER been a woman president hits like ice water in the face. Suddenly those girls, used to seeing female faces in positions of prominence, are perplexed.

Grace sat at her desk and stewed. No girls? Who'd ever thought of such a thing!

Finally she raised her hand.

"I've been thinking it over, and I'd like to be president."

Going for the teachable moment, Mrs. Barrington comes right back with a living lesson. Complementing Grace's "star-spangled idea," she announces that their class will hold an election for class president. When no other students announce their candidacy, Grace is elated. "Becoming president is going to be easy," she thinks.

But the campaign trail becomes a bit rockier the next morning when Mrs. Barrington announces that Mrs. Waller's class is going to be join the election and introduces their candidate, Thomas Cobb. Thomas is a formidable candidate with a lot of constituents: he's the spelling bee champ, science fair winner, and captain of the soccer team--and, he's a boy! When Grace's poster go up with the slogan "MAKE HISTORY--VOTE FOR GRACE!" Thomas plays the gender card with his slogan "ELECT THOMAS--THE BEST MAN FOR THE JOB!"

When Mrs. Barrington explains the electoral college and lets each student draw a state to represent, Thomas is gleeful. He quickly calculates that if all the "male" states deliver their electoral votes, he's going to win. Certain that he's secured his base already, Thomas studies spelling words at recess, plans his latest science experiment at lunch, and practices soccer after school.

Meanwhile, Grace campaigns hard, making speeches at recess, handed out cupcakes at lunch, and holding rallies after school. She also gets to work on fulfilling her promises, volunteering in the cafeteria to improve the food, organizing a safety squad to foil bullying, and leading an active school beautification program from the business end of a paintbrush.

When the "electoral college" meets, the voting breaks sharply along gender lines. Finally, the tally stands at 268 for Thomas Cobb and 267 for Grace, with only Wyoming, represented by elector Sam, left to cast his votes. Thomas can't help grinning, and Grace feels sick.

Sam cleared his throat. "The Equality State of Wyoming casts its three electoral votes for...Grace Campbell!"

"I thought you were the best person for the job," Sam admits.

My name is Grace Campbell, and when I grow up, I'm going to be President of the United States," the successful candidate announces.

Kelly DiPucchio's Grace for President is a timely classroom story which will be a useful jumping-off place for social studies units on the presidential election, covering thoroughly as it does both the history and mystery of the electoral college and the social issues involved with candidates and their constituencies. An appended Author's Note provides additional historical information about the electoral college and how it relates to the popular vote.

Power to the Poultry: Duck for President (2008) by Doreen Cronin

Just when we thought we might get a respite from bumper stickers, yard signs, and knocks at the door from bright-eyed be-buttoned canvassers! But no! Duck is back, in a refurbished, election-year edition, to make another run at the Oval Office in Doreen Cronin's classic, Duck for President.

Duck has had it with slaving away at his chores (lawn mowing and coffee grinding) on the farm. UP go the signs!

FARMER BROWN MUST GO!
VOTE DUCK FOR A KINDER, GENTLER FARM!

After a recount the vote is certified: DUCK 21, FARMER BROWN 6--and Duck is officially in charge.

But it doesn't take long for Duck to realize that running a farm is hard work, so he decides to find an easier elected office, and up go the signs again.

DUCK FOR GOVERNOR!

Then DUCK finds out that all governors do is listen to complaints. Up the signs go.

DUCK FOR PRESIDENT, 2008.

After all, what electorate can resist a slogan like "A FRESH BILL FOR CAPITOL HILL."

After a tough campaign, Duck moves into the White House, where things really get hairy for our feathered friend. This is the worst job in the world (and very hard work), and after deep thought in the Oval Office, Duck picks up the want ads and finds the perfect job for an ex-President:

DUCK NEEDED. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY.
MUST BE ABLE TO MOW THE LAWN AND GRIND COFFEE BEANS.

Duck turns the country over to the Vice-President, returns to the farm, and, between taking a turn at grass cutting and coffee grinding, begins to work very hard on his memoirs.

Backing up Cronin's clever text, Betsy Lewin has a (inaugural) ball with the illustrations here, showing Duck in all the familiar past President poses--Richard Nixon, FDR, and, in that famous rear view of the President wearily leaning over his desk in the Oval Office, JFK. She even makes a sly visual reference to their earlier Caldecott Honor book on the final page, where we see Duck writing his memoir on his PC, while the old black manual typewriter from their hit book Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type lies discarded in the trash can beside him. It's a light-hearted look at how everyone's favorite poultry politician Peter Principles his way right to the top and back to his historic retirement at the ranch, and it's the perfect election-year read-aloud for the picture book crowd.