Vote for Me! by Ben Clanton

Late in the 2012 election season, we are all weary of political ads and the divisive nature of politics. For a refreshing and sarcastic look at the electoral process, check out Vote for Me! by Ben Clanton. Donkey and Elephant (sound familiar?) are running for the office of Big Cheese. Throughout this picture book the candidates go from buttering you up with campaign promises…

…to hurling mean-spirited criticisms and – literally – mud at each other.

You might be surprised to find out who wins this high stakes election, but I will let you discover that on your own.

While the younger kids this book is intended for will likely miss the critique of our electoral process, they will enjoy the cute illustrations of Elephant and Donkey and learn a lesson about being nice to others. This book would be a great title for older elementary school students beginning to learn about the U.S. government. Both teens and adults will enjoy the satire of modern political discourse.

For a humorous chapter book that describes the political process in more detail, check out Bad Kitty for President by Nick Bruel. Another picture book that will appeal to both children and adults is Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems. Both have been reviewed recently here and here on VBPL Recommends.

Search the VBPL catalog for Vote for Me! by Ben Clanton.