Voting & Elections

Fiction and Fictionalized History

A Christmas Tree in the White House by Gary Hines (E Hines)

President Theodore Roosevelt does not approve of cutting down living trees just to be used as Christmas decorations, but his two young sons try to sneak one into the White House anyway. (Grades K – 3)

Arthur Meets the President by Marc Brown (E Brown)

Arthur's essay wins a contest and he has to read it to the President in a special ceremony at the White House. (Grades K – 3)

Big Cheese for the White House: the True Tale of a Tremendous Cheddar by Candace Fleming (E Flemi)

In 1801, in Chesire, Massachusetts, Elder John Leland organizes his fellow townspeople to make a big cheese for President Jefferson who up until that time had been forced to eat inferior cheeses. (Grades K – 4)

Duck for President by Doreen Cronin (E Croni)

When Duck gets tired of working for Farmer Brown, his political ambition eventually leads to his being elected President. (Grades K – 3)

George Washington’s Teeth by Deborah Chandra (E 973.41 C361g 2003)

A rollicking rhyme portrays George Washington's lifelong struggle with bad teeth. A timeline taken from diary entries and other nonfiction sources follows. (Grades K – 5)

George Wasington’s Cows by David Small (E Small)

Humorous rhymes about George Washington's farm where the cows wear dresses, the pigs wear wigs, and the sheep are scholars. (Grades K – 3)

Max for President by Jarret Krosoczka (E Kroso)

Max and Kelly both want to win the election for class president, but when one of them loses, the winner finds a way to make the loser feel better. (Grades K-3)

Rose Swanson, Fourth Grade Geek for President by Barbara Park (J Park)

Average, unpopular Rosie runs for class president against two of the most popular kids in the fourth grade. (Grades 3 – 7)

Thanksgiving in the White House by Gary Hines (E Hines)

Young Tad Lincoln is excited about the new national holiday until he learns that the cook plans to serve Jack the turkey as the main course for Thanksgiving dinner. (Grades K – 3)

The First Teddy Bear by Helen Kay (J 973.911 K18f)

Describes how the first Teddy Bear stuffed toy originated inspired by President Theodore Roosevelt's refusal to shoot a little bear during a hunt. (Grades K – 3)

The Kid Who Ran for President by Dan Gutman (J Gutma)

With his friend as campaign manager and his former babysitter as running mate, twelve-year-old Judson Moon sets out to become President of the United States. (Grades 4 – 8)

The President and Mom’s Apple Pie by Michael Garland (E Garla)

When President William Howard Taft arrives in town, he finds that the cheering crowd pales in comparison to a delicious smell wafting on the summer breeze. (Grades K – 3)

The Presidency

If I Were President by Catherine Stier (E 352.23 St52i 1999)

Imagine living in the White House, a place where you don't have to leave home to go bowling and a second dessert is no problem. Students on a class project examine the duties, responsibilities and traditions of the office of president. (Grades K – 2)

Next in Line: The American Vice Presidency by Barbara Feinberg (J353.0318 F327n 1996)

A study of the office of the vice presidency, its origins, history, responsibilities, and privileges; and an overview of the individuals who have served in that office. (Grades 8 – 12)

So You Want to be President? by Judith St. George (J973.099 Sa23s)

An assortment of fun facts and interesting trivia about the qualifications and characteristics of U.S. presidents, from George Washington to Bill Clinton. Caldecott Medal Winner for 2001 Also available in video format. (Grades 2 – 5)

The President’s Cabinet and How it Grew by Nancy Winslow Parker (J353.04 P227p 1991)

Outlines the purpose and historical development of the President's cabinet, and explains the functions of each cabinet post. (Grades 2-4)

The President’s Work: A Look at the Executive Branch by Elaine Landau (J 352.23 L231p 2004)

The President of the United States is the leader of the country and has a very powerful job. But what does he really do day in and day out? You'll discover what the president's job is like, how the president does this job, and how it affects every American's life -- including yours. (Grades 4 – 6)

The World Book of American Presidents (J973.099 W893 2002)

The first volume of this two book set showcases the duties, privileges, and the broad power of the president. The second volume gives detailed information on each president from George Washington to George W. Bush. (Grades 4 – 8)

This is America, Charlie Brown, vol. 7: The Smithsonian and The Presidency (VJ This)

When Charlie Brown and friends visit the Smithsonian Institution at Washington, D.C., the Peanuts pals do more than learn about the Presidents of the United States. They take make-believe journeys that whish them back in time to each President's era. Originally produced for television in 1989. (Grades 2 – 5)

You Are The President by Nathan Aaseng (J973.9 Aa77y)

You are presented with eight actual crises faced by American presidents followed by a list of options for a decision making policy. Includes an evaluation of the actual decisions made by the presidents. (Grades 6 – 12)

The Presidents – From George W(ashington) to George W (Bush)

Don’t Know Much About the Presidents by Kenneth C. Davis (J973.099 D294d)

Learn about the presidents' inaugurations and political achievements, as well as their nicknames, hobbies and even what kinds of foods they liked and disliked. See how life in the White House has changed over the years. (Grades 1 – 5)

Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull (J 923.1 K939l)

What did the presidents of the United States do for fun? What were their favorite foods? What kinds of pets did they have? From George Washington to Bill Clinton, this fascinating book takes readers beyond politics to answer these questions and more about the lives of our nation's chief executives. (Grades 4 – 8)

My Fellow Americans: The Most Important Speeches of America’s Presidents, From George Washington to George W. Bush by Michael Waldman (J352.238 M99)

43 of the greatest speeches of U.S. presidents--plus the actual voices of every president since Benjamin Harrison on two accompanying CDs. (Grades 7-12)

Pets of the Presidents by Janet V. Caulkins (J973.0992 C311p 1992)

Relates the stories of nine American presidents and their pets, from Thomas Jefferson's mockingbird Dick to George H.W. Bush's dog Millie. (Grades 2 – 5)

Presidents by James Barber (J 923.1 B233p 2003)

Includes brief biographical and historical information about all the American presidents from George Washington to George W. Bush. An Eyewitness Book. (Grades 3 – 7)

Smithsonian Presidents and First Ladies by James Barber (J973.099 B233s)

In this easy-to-use, concise guide to presidents and first ladies, readers discover all sorts of essential information and little-known facts about America’s leading couples from George and Martha Washington to George W. and Laura Bush. (Grades 4 - 8)

The Buck Stops Here: The Presidents of the United States by Alice Provensen (J973.0222 P948b)

An informative text combines with silly rhymes and detailed illustrations to provide an educational and entertaining romp through the careers of forty U.S. presidents. (Grades 3 – 6)

The Look It Up Book of First Ladies by Sydelle Kramer (J923.1 K86l 2001)

We don’t elect the First Lady, but as wife of the president she can have a great influence on the people of the country. This book features all of the First Ladies from Washington to Bush. (Grades 5 – 8)

The New Big Book of U.S. Presidents by Todd Davis (J923.1 D298n 2000)

Profiles of each United States president from George Washington to George W. Bush, with information on their lives, families, wives, and highlights of their time in office. Illustrated with portraits from the National Portrait Gallery. (Grades 5 – 9)

The White House Kids by Rose Blue (J973.0992 B6255w 1995)

From Susan Adams to Chelsea Clinton, the children who have lived in the White House are a select group. They have many things in common; but as this book shows, their lives are very different-at the center of exciting events, but growing up with the world watching. (Grades 4 – 6)

What Presidents Are Made Of by Hanoch Piven (E 973.099 P688w 2004)

In this funny, unusual, and visual book, Piven uses kid-friendly materials, ranging from blue jeans to boxing gloves, to create caricature portraits that reveal what "makes up" the temperaments of several U.S. presidents. (Grades 2 – 4)

Voting and Elections

All About Elections (JCD Multimedia 324.6 T367a 1999)

Using cartoon style, this CD-ROM explains the origins of the American election process and how it has changed through the years. It explains who is eligible to vote, how candidates are selected, and how elections are carried out. (Grades 4 – 6)

Candidates, Campaigns and Elections: Projects, Activities, Literature Links by Linda Scher ()

Through activities such as role playing, interviewing, debating, and graphing, students learn how our government is organized and investigate politicians and the media. (Grades 4 – 8)

George Washington Elected: How America’s First President Was Chosen by Allison Draper (J973.41 D791g)

How did George Washington become our first president? In an event-by-event account this book takes the reader through the story of this amazing man's election. (Grades K – 3)

How America Votes: How Our President is Elected by Linda Granfield (J324.63 G765a)

From the first primaries, through the party conventions, to the final count at the polls, the race for the president is explained in a very readable way and illustrated with humorous but informative watercolor drawings. (Grades 5 – 8)

Presidential Conventions by Christopher Henry (J 324.63 H396pc)

Traces the process of nominating both parties' presidential candidates, from the primary elections to the conventions where the choices are finally made. (Grades 4 – 6)

Presidential Elections by Christopher Henry (J324.63 H396p 1996)

Presents information on how presidential campaigns work including the primary election, party conventions, presidential debates, and polling, as well as the role of independent candidates. (Grades 4 – 6)

Presidential Elections and Other Cool Facts by Syl Sobel (J 324.973 So12p 2001)

Explains the history and process of electing a president of the United States, and provides facts about Presidents, first ladies, and campaigns. (Grades 3 – 6)

Running for Office: a Look at Political Campaigns by Sandra Donovan (J324.7 D719r)

Describes what is involved in running a political campaign, from deciding to run for office through election night. (Grades 4 – 6)

The Electoral College by Christopher Henry (J 324.63 H396e 1996)

Examines the way in which the electoral college selects the president, indicates drawbacks of the system, and discusses elections in which the electoral winners lost the popular vote. (Grades 4 – 6)

The Voice of the People: American Democracy in Action by Betsy Maestro (J 324 M268v 1996)

A basic guide to voting and the election process in the United States. (Grades 3 – 5)

Vote! by Eileen Christelow (E324.973 C461v 2003)

Using a campaign for mayor as an example, shows the steps involved in an election, from the candidate's speeches and rallies, to the voting booth where every vote counts, to the announcement of the winner. (Grades 3 – 5)

Websites

Internet Public Library’s Presidents of the United States

Background information, election results, cabinet members, notable events, and some points of interest on each of the presidents. Links to biographies, historical documents, audio and video files, and other presidential sites are also included. (Grades 4 - up)

Kids News Room

Election news for kids. Includes information on the Democratic & Republican candidates as well as twelve “Third Party” candidates. (Grades 5 – up)

PBS News Hour

Election related news on current events, politics, issues and candidates. (Grades 5 – up)

Rock the Vote

Issues, news and other election information for teenagers and young adults. (Grades 9 – adult)

Scholastic’s Election 2004

“How to Run for President”, “Countdown to Election Day”, “Life as the President” and more.

White House Kids

The official site of the President of the United States. Includes quizzes, news, trivia, games, photos and more. (Grades 2 – up)