I Voted: Making a Choice Makes a Difference

by Mark Shulman, Serge Bloch (Illustrator)

Overview

As we approach the 2022 midterm elections, this witty, nonpartisan book will help explain the concept of voting to the youngest readers.

I Voted explains the concept of choosing, individually, and as a group, from making a simple choice: "Which do you like better, apples or oranges?", to selecting a class pet, to even more complicated decisions, like electing community representatives.

You may not always get want you want, but there are strategies to better your odds!

Serge Bloch's effortless and charming illustrations paired with Mark Shulman's funny and timely text create a perfect resource for discussing current events with your children.

Backmatter includes information about the United States electoral process.

Selected for the CBC Champions of Change Showcase
A Junior Library Guild Selection
A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780823445615
Publisher:	Holiday House
Publication date:	01/21/2020
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	1,067,207
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 9.40(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Mark Shulman has authored over 150 books, including the picture book Mom and Dad are Palindromes. His debut novel Scrawl was an ALA/YALSA pick for Best Fiction for Young Adults title. Shulman lives in New York City.

Serge Bloch is a Society of Illustrators Gold Medal winner and the recipient of France's Baobab Award. He illustrated Susie Morgenstern's A Book of Coupons, named an ALA Batchelder Honor Book, and has written and illustrated numerous books for children and young adults including One Proud Penny written by Randy Siegel. He lives in Paris.

Editorial Reviews

I admire picture books that use entertaining narration and appealing art to teach children about things we assume—often wrongly—they understand.

The New York Times Book Review - Maria Russo

11/25/2019

Bloch’s balletic ink line—punctuated with color washes and textural elements in red, white, and blue—and Shulman’s crisp prose means there’ll be no sleeping through this civics class. Beginning with simple personal choices (“Markers or crayons?”) and then a communal decision (deciding on a class pet) the creators explain the mechanics of voting and how to work for a specific result: “You can talk to people who want something different./ Maybe you will change their mind./ Maybe they will change yours.” The editorial cartooning consistently strikes a fine balance between gravitas and fancy: to show why voting matters, Bloch offers up two enticing doorways, one that reads “FREE FOR KIDS” and one that scans “NO KIDS ALLOWED!” Enjoining readers to engage in grown-ups’ elections (“Listen. Read. Talk. Ask”), the text concludes with an overview of government branches. A simple volume with a vital message: “If you don’t vote, you don’t get to choose.” Ages 4–8. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

01/01/2020

Gr 1–3—This delightful picture book introduces young readers to the process of voting. Readers learn that voters must gather information, have conversations with people who hold opposing views, and collaborate with others who want the same outcome. But win or lose, it's important to take an active part. Shulman's text compares voting for local, state, and national officials to more kid-friendly examples such as choosing an ice cream flavor or deciding on the class pet. Young voters are instructed to "Listen. Read. Talk. Ask. And tell someone who's old enough…to bring you along on Election Day." Bloch's cheerful red, white, and blue illustrations pair perfectly with the text, producing a joyful, engaging book that encourages responsible citizenship. Back matter makes these concepts even more concrete. Specific examples of how all three branches of government work are featured. Shulman reminds readers that civic engagement starts well before the age of 18. VERDICT Purchase for classroom and library collections to encourage the next generation of decision makers.—Jen McConnel, Queen's University, Ont.

School Library Journal

2019-11-10
The hows, whys, and wherefores of voting are presented in this picture book.

Beginning with the concept of choice and using a vote for a class pet as the initial example, this story takes readers by their hands and leads them through the entire electoral process for something. In addition to presenting the actual activity of the vote, the story stresses the ramifications of voting (or not voting) as well as the idea of engaging others in discussion. Special emphasis is placed on the concept of acquiring knowledge in order to become an informed voter. While the target audience is too young to vote in town, state, or national legislative elections, the story hands young readers power by telling them they can make sure those who can vote, do. The meat-and-potatoes text is forthright and unadorned, and the illustrations rarely vary from their two-vignettes-per-page format. Nonetheless, by its very simplicity, the gravity of the message is underscored—voting equals choice; choice equals quality of life. Bloch's illustrations, dominated by people delineated in sketchy black outlines filled with simple patterns or color shades, emphasize expressions rendered in a cartoon style, and this adds a needed bit of levity to it all. A range of skin shades from beige to brown is shown. Extensive backmatter includes a thorough section on "How Our Government Works" as well as steps to take to vote.

Comprehensive and forthright. (backmatter, bibliography, online resources) (Picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews

"What does it mean to vote, and how do we do it? I admire picture books that use entertaining narration and appealing art to teach children about things we assume — often wrongly — they understand. Shulman starts in school ('Imagine you’re choosing a classroom pet') and moves on to the nuts and bolts of selecting our government. Bloch’s frisky line drawings make democracy look like a ton of fun, and the coveted 'I Voted' sticker, of course, provides a brilliant ending."—The New York Times

"In a fraught political epoch, partisan angst often makes its way into books for young readers. So hats off to Mark Shulman and Serge Bloch for keeping things even-tempered with 'I Voted', a picture book that introduces children ages 3-7 to a basic democratic concept without trying to instill anxiety or indignation. The text is clear and lively, and Mr. Bloch’s stylish, color-splashed line drawings . . . expand on it in a humorous way."  —The Wall Street Journal

"Comprehensive and forthright."—Kirkus Reviews


"Bloch’s balletic ink line—punctuated with color washes and textural elements in red, white, and blue—and Shulman’s crisp prose means there’ll be no sleeping through this civics class. . . . A simple volume with a vital message'"— Publishers Weekly 


"Bloch’s cheerful red, white, and blue illustrations pair perfectly with the text, producing a joyful, engaging book that encourages responsible citizenship."—School Library Journal

"Shulman leads pre- and primary schoolers through the voting process, from the concept of making a choice through to the sticker hopefully presented to the youngster who tags along with a voting adult. . . . Bloch’s cast of diverse citizens are rendered in roughly sketched black line and splashes of color that happily overrun their outlines, adding a touch of sophistication that gives the title the flexibility to span grade levels."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

From the Publisher