I Voted: Making a Choice Makes a Difference

Author

Mark Shulman

Illustrator

Serge Bloch

Publication Date

January 21, 2020

Genre / Grade Band

Non-fiction / 2^nd − 3^rd

Language

English

Format

Picture Book

I Voted: Making a Choice Makes a Difference

Paperback

Hardcover

Description

This witty, nonpartisan book helps 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.

Now with added information about mail-in voting! Backmatter includes information about the United States electoral process.

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

Publication date

January 21, 2020

Genre

Non-fiction

ISBN-13

9780823445615

Publisher

Neal Porter Books

BISAC categories

JNF043000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Social Science | Politics & Government
JNF071000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Social Activism & Volunteering

Library of Congress categories

United States
Elections
Voting

Publishers Weekly

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.)

School Library Journal

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.

Mark Shulman

Mark Shulman has written more than 150 books for kids of all ages, including illustrated stories for Marvel Comics, Scholastic, Chronicle Books, Simon & Schuster, and more. Their subjects include The Incredible Hulk, Madagascar, Shamu the orca, The Amazing World of Gumball, and others. Mark started reading comics when they cost just 15 cents and hasn't stopped. He's still got Silver Surfer #1 in very fine condition, and he's not letting it go.

Kelly Tindall, the award-winning writer/artist of The Adventurers: Love You Very So Much and the Strangebeard series, makes one heck of a good sandwich. He lives in Edmonton, Canada, with his wife and two daughters. For more of his work, follow him on Instagram (@mrkellytindall).

John Roshell is a co-founder of Comicraft, the lettering and design studio best known for pioneering the process of digitally lettering comic books. He has lettered thousands of comics for Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Blizzard, and more; created hundreds of typefaces widely used in comics and video games; and designed loads of logos for franchises like the Avengers, Daredevil, Black Panther, and Angry Birds. He lives in Santa Barbara with his wife Starshine, two boys, and a somewhat ugly dog.

Ian Churchill is a 25-year veteran comic creator who has worked extensively for Marvel, DC, and Image Comics. Best known for drawing Deadpool, Cable, and Supergirl, he is also the creator, writer, artist, and colorist of the critically acclaimed comic book series, Marineman. For more of his work, follow him on Instagram (@ianchurchill).

Christopher Peterson has been drawing and occasionally writing comics for the past 16 years. He has self-published anthologies, one-shots, and limited series--one of which garnered a Joe Shuster Award nomination. Recent works have included the Grindhouse series from Dark Horse Comics, Mayday series from Black Mask, the Broken World series from Boom! Studios, and various others from Image Comics and Stela Comics.

Shane Corn is a veteran of the animation industry, having worked at Nickelodeon, Fox Animation Studios, FXX, Warner Bros. Animation, and Cartoon Network Studios. He currently runs a gallery and studio for individuals with developmental disabilities in Canton, Ohio, and is coloring Show Me History! graphic novels.

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