Children’s Books about Elections and Voting

I firmly believe it’s our responsibility as citizens to educate kids about the democratic process of elections and voting. (Even though you might dislike election time and the drama that comes with it!) Election season gives us an opportunity to teach children about elections by reading kid-appropriate children’s books like these…

Try incorporating at-home activities about voting. For example, vote for the best jack-o-lantern. Or vote for a chores manager. Or have everyone pick a platform and a party, then elect a family president. You could even make slogans and signs.

Children’s Books about Elections and Voting

Picture Books (Ages 2 – 8)

This Little President: A Presidential Primer by Joan Holub
Simple text in a sturdy brightly illustrated board book shares about 10 famous presidents and their contributions to the country. Surprisingly, this book works with kid-friendly information and text!

The President of the Jungle by Andre Rodrigues, Larissa Ribeiro, Paula DesGualdo, and Pedro Markun
Need a good book to explain the democratic election process? This is a fantastic new picture books that I think you’re going to love! The jungle animals are tired of being ruled by the selfish king of the jungle, Lion. The animals decide to pick a new leader — one they elect themselves. Thus begins the process of protests, candidates, campaigning, slogans, debates, rallies, platforms, and eventually, a new leader. Who will it be? (Not lion, that’s for sure.)

A Vote Is a Powerful Thing by Catherine Stier, illustrated by Courtney Dawson
Callie’s class is learning about elections. Students get to vote on their next field trip, either the cookie factory or the wilderness park, and she campaigns for the wilderness park. She makes posters, writes a speech, and the kids vote with the park winning! I like that this is relatable to kids. It’s a good stepping stone to understand the process without the drama or ugliness of politics.

When Penny Met POTUS by Rachel Ruiz, illustrated by Melissa A Manwill
Penny doesn’t know what POTUS means — she tries to figure it out while she’s with her mother at work. The fantastic surprise ending is that POTUS is the president of the United States and it’s her mom!

Grace for President by Kelly S. DiPucchio, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
You’ll love spunky, smart Grace! She’s horrified that there are no girl presidents and with her teacher determines to run for president of the class. Will she win against the popular Tom? The class is divided into states and learns about electoral vs. popular vote.

My Teacher for President by Kay Winters, illustrated by Denise Brunkus
This is a charming easy picture book where boy advocates for his teacher to become president in a letter to a local television station. What a tribute to Oliver’s teacher whom he obviously adores.

Monster Needs Your Vote by Paul Czajak, illustrated by Wendy Grieb
In this cute picture book, monster wants to run for president but first he needs a reason people should vote for him. First he says that summer should be twice as long. His ideas don’t interest voters. Then he discovers something really important — libraries. When he learns he’s too young to run for president, he still spreads the word about reading and libraries.

President Squid by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by  Sara Varon
This humorous story is about a squid who wants to be president for all the wrong reasons — because they wear ties, have the biggest house ever, and so on. Funny and timely with the upcoming presidential election.

If I Ran for President by Chaterine Stier, illustrated by Lynne Avril
Kids share the process of running for president — from campaigning to debating to winning — in friendly, kid language. Very informative and age-appropriate to teach children about elections and voting.

Madam President by Lane Smith
A little girl imagines her life as president and it’s pretty funny.

If I Were President by Catherine Stier, illustrated by Diane DiSalvo-Ryan
Kids take a realistic look at the job of the president including living in a new address, being commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and lighting the big Christmas tree. Well-written.

Duck for President by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin
Fans of Duck and Farmer Brown will love this Duck adventure. Because Duck thinks that running the country will be much easier than running a farm. And we know how that will turn out — not true at all. (But good for lots of laughs.)

So You Want to Be President by Judith St. George
Updated through the 42nd president (George W. Bush), this is a funny glimpse at what it’s like to be president. (No more taking out the trash!)

See How They  Run: Campaign Dreams, Election Schemes, and the Race to the White House by Susan E. Goodman, illustrated by Elwood Smith
Learn the basics of elections in the U.S. in this conversational picture book.

Chapter Books about Elections and Voting (Ages 8+)

Be a Voter! 450 Stickers for Democracy
Get excited for any elections with stickers created by a variety of artists.

Bad Kitty for President by Nick Bruel
Bad Kitty is running for Neighborhood Cat Club president and as you might expect it’s hilarious and filled with Bad Kitty’s naughty behavior.

Act by Kyla Miller
Olive is upset when she learns that a classmate can’t afford the fees for a class field trip. Her aunt suggests that Olive organize a protest. She does research at the library and ends up doing a petition and a sit-in. Unfortunately, no one else seems to care so Olive spontaneously runs for student council — which offends her friends. She learns about other big issues students face that should be changed like when only the girls get dress code violations and issues students’ privacy and homework. Readers will see that one girl CAN make a difference! Engaging, inspiring, and perfect for the world right now.

The Election Day Disaster by Ron Roy
President Thornton is running for a second term but when someone posts fake photos of him online, his chances could be ruined. It’s up to KC and Marshall to find the culprit and save the election for the President.

The Kid Who Ran for President by Dan Gutman
You’ll learn about elections and voting while reading this quirky story about 12-year old Judd who starts a campaign to be president of the United States promising things like ending homework. His running mate? His babysitter! His political party? The Lemonade Party.

President of the Whole Fifth Grade by Sherri Winston
Brianna wants to be president of 5th grade just like her hero, Miss Delicious. She makes poor decisions in order to win but running a dirty campaign backfires on her. Will she learn her lesson? Who will win?

The Campaign by Leila Sales, illustrated by Kim Balacuit
Maddie learns that the only person running for mayor wants to cut funding for school art programs. She convinces her babysitter to run for mayor, too — and rallies her classmates, most who aren’t even her friends, to support her babysitter so that the arts funding won’t get cut. Through her activism, she learns about the election process but also how to deal with jealousy and unexpected friends. A fantastic read!

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