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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.

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outdated school conventions…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!

Non-fiction

Explore the fight for freedom, from the Magna Carta to today, with this visually stunning timeline of key moments in civil rights! The 2-metre-long, fold-out timeline is uniquely broken out by date and world locations, with over 150 pictures and captions. From the original sealing of the Magna Carta by King John in 1215, to Malala Yousafzai’s Nobel Peace Prize, the most important moments in the fight for citizens’ rights under their governments are highlighted. An easy-to-read chronicle, written in the form of nearly 40 newspaper articles, highlights historical actions such as the banning of slavery in Britain, women’s voting rights, and the end of Apartheid in South Africa. Other features include a fifty-question quiz and a copy of the Salisbury Cathedral Magna Carta document, emphasizing clauses around justice, freedom of cities, and no taxation without representation. Perfect for history buffs of any age!

Non-fiction

Politics, in its widest sense, affects us all, every day. What if there were no politics? What would that look like? What does it mean to be political or non-political and what effect do each of these positions have?

Aimed at children aged 9 and up, this book is a highly topical look at how politics affects everyone in society. It looks at the whole political spectrum, in countries around the world and examines what politics means in different contexts and situations. What forms can political action take, and what difference does it make?

There are contributions from a range of writers, who, along with the authors, discuss how their ideas of what politics is and can do have been shaped by their life experiences. Readers are encouraged to think for themselves about the issues discussed and decide how or whether they would like to take part in politics at some level.

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!

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Stone Girl Bone Girl

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