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Topic: Politics & Democracy

Politics and Democracy Booklist

Discussions about politics and general elections can be confusing for children (and adults!) at the best of times. To help, we’ve put together a list of the best children’s books about politics, including both fiction and non-fiction books that explore themes of parliament, elections, democracy and political systems.

Picturebook

A picture book for young children that explains, through a fun story with engaging illustrations, what an election is and how voting works. Alex’s family backs the party whose posters have stripes on them. Evie’s family backs the party whose posters have spots on them. But which party will win? Either way, the two will remain friends. This is the first UK book of its kind and has backing from elected representatives of all major political parties.

Chapter book

When Joe tells a local news reporter exactly what he would do if he were leader of the country, the video goes viral and Joe’s speech becomes famous all over the world! Before long, people are calling for the current leader to resign and give someone else a go . . . and that’s how an ordinary boy like Joe ended up with the most extraordinary job. Now the fun can really start . . . Hats for cats! Pet pigs for all! Banana shaped buses! Swimming pools on trains! A hilarious story of one boy’s meteoric rise to power!

Chapter book

Opal Plumstead might be plain, but she has always been fiercely intelligent.

Yet her scholarship and dreams of university are snatched away when her father is sent to prison, and fourteen-year-old Opal must start work at the Fairy Glen sweet factory to support her family.

She struggles to get along with her other workers, who think she’s snobby and stuck up.

But Opal idolises Mrs Roberts, the factory’s beautiful, dignified owner. The best thing about Mrs Roberts?

She’s a suffragette!

Opal’s world is opened to Mrs Pankhurst, and the fight to give women the right to vote.

And when Opal meets Morgan, Mrs Roberts’ handsome son , and heir to Fairy Glen- she believes she’s found her soulmate.

But the First World War is about to begin, and will change Opal’s life for ever.

A brilliantly gripping wartime story from the bestselling, award-winning Jacqueline Wilson.

Non-fiction

Never has politics been so important in the world and so much in the news as today. But how much of what goes on do we really understand?

Written for children aged 9 and over, but a clear and interesting introduction for adults too, All About Politics is a straight-talking guide to how governments really work.

All the political structures and ideas are covered, from ancient Greek philosophy to modern governments. With a low-down on all the key terms ending in “-ism”, “-ocracy” and “-archy”, you can discover the difference between democracy, monarchy and dictatorship – and also see which countries are governed by which system. Find out the pros and cons of communism and capitalism, what it means to be “right” or “left”, and what happens behind the scenes in parliament. See how laws are made and explore the role of diplomacy. Plus you can trace a timeline of the history of leadership and discover how different systems and beliefs have developed.

Importantly, there are sections about how you can get involved, covering local politics, voting, debating, and human rights.

With a foreword by leading political journalist Andrew Marr, All About Politics covers all the big ideas and powerful people in politics, enabling everyone to join the debate and get their voice heard.

Chapter book

Join Effie Kostas as she fights to become Student Council President in her new school. With a campaign team of loveable misfits, she tackles the truly important subjects:

gender imbalance

outdated school conventions…

and good-looking boys stealing the last slice of chocolate cake at lunchtime.

A laugh-out-loud rallying call for switched-on kids everywhere.

Vibrant illustrations by Mirelle Ortega bring Effie and her friends to life in this joyful celebration of one girl’s mission to change the world.

Picturebook

The newest picture book from the creators of Iggy Peck, Architect; Rosie Revere, Engineer; and Ada Twist, Scientist stars Sofia Valdez, a community leader who stands up for what she believes in!
Every morning, Abuelo walks Sofia to school . . . until one day, when Abuelo hurts his ankle at a local landfill and he can no longer do so. Sofia (aka Sofi) misses her Abuelo and wonders what she can do about the dangerous Mount Trashmore. Then she gets an idea-the town can turn the slimy mess into a park! She brainstorms and plans and finally works up the courage to go to City Hall-only to be told by a clerk that she can’t build a park because she’s just a kid! Sofia is down but not out, and she sets out to prove what one kid can do.

Non-fiction

An informative guide to political systems, elections, voting and government and issues including feminism, human rights, freedom of speech and fake news, all explained with clear text and bright, infographic style illustrations. Includes tips on how to argue and debate, a glossary, and links to specially selected websites with more information.

Picturebook

The book is a part of the British Values series which explores tricky subjects such as democracy, the rule of law, mutual respect and tolerance through fun illustrated stories. Each book includes teacher notes for discussing the theme of the story.

Short story collection

“You have to make more noise than anybody else” – Emmeline Pankhurst, leader of the British Suffragette movement

An incredible collection of brand new short stories, from ten of the UK’s very best storytellers, celebrating inspirational girls and women, being published to commemorate the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in the UK.

GBP1 from the sale of every book will be donated to Camfed, an international charity which tackles poverty and inequality by supporting women’s education in the developing world.

Featuring short stories by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize-wining The Girl of Ink and Stars, M.G. Leonard, author of Beetle Boy, Patrice Lawrence, author of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize-winning Orangeboy, Katherine Woodfine, author of The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow, Sally Nicholls, author of Things a Bright Girl Can Do, Emma Carroll, author of Letters from the Lighthouse, and more!

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