We are in the midst of election season! You won’t want to miss Dr. Toughlove’s review of Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio. Enjoy!
Our country is in the throes of election season, so Dr. Toughlove thought it was the perfect time to review “Grace for President”, written by New York Times best-selling author Kelly DiPucchio and illustrated by Caldecott Honor recipient LeUyen Pham. This delightful book, published in 2008 (another presidential election year), puts a spotlight on the presidential election process in a way that can be understood by youngsters, aged 4 and up.
Grace, the spunky protagonist, is astonished to learn that there have been no female presidents (“Where are the girls?”, p. 3). Grace decides then and there that she wants to be the president of her grade at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School. Her opponent, Thomas, is one of the smartest and most athletic students in her school. (“Becoming president wasn’t going to be so easy after all….”, p. 9).
“Grace for President” explains the electoral votes process using simple, easy to understand language. LeUyen Pham depicts a map of the United States with the number of electoral votes for each state clearly labelled. Ms. Barrington and Mr. Waller (the teachers in the story), explain how the electoral votes process works and assigns each student (except Grace and Thomas) a state to represent. The combination of Kelly DiPucchio’s words and LeUyen Pham’s illustrations simplify this process to perfection.
Dr. Toughlove doesn’t want to give the entire story away, but strategies like campaign signs, listening sessions, campaign buttons, and polls were employed by both candidates to simulate a real election. Campaign promises were made. Rallies were held. Colorful illustrations and varied font sizes help provide visual interest and an air of authenticity to Grace’s and Thomas’s campaigns.
You will have to read the book to learn who becomes class president, and while doing so you will be entertained by Grace’s tenacity and Thomas’s guile. This book provides many opportunities to discuss the strategies employed by each candidate. The children will offer many ideas and opinions about Thomas’s and Grace’s behavior. Dr. Toughlove has read this book aloud on numerous occasions and is always astounded by the subtleties and nuances that the youngsters express.
“Grace for President” is a wonderful book to read aloud anytime, but particularly during election season, and is available at your local library.