Election Day is right around the corner, and it’s the perfect chance to introduce our students to the importance of voting! I love a great picture book to help me teach important concepts, so I’ve put together a list of my favorite Election Day books to help you do the same!
And I’ve made you a freebie you can use with ANY of the books below! Let’s make learning about voting fun, meaningful, and memorable with these fantastic read-alouds! 📚
Be sure to also read my post with Engaging Election Day Activities here.
*You can click on most titles below to purchase the books via Amazon or visit my book list HERE. These are affiliate links, which means I earn a small percentage if you purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. I always only recommend resources I love!
Of course, you can also check your library for these titles instead of buying and sometimes you can find read-alouds on Youtube!
Duck for President by Doreen Cronin
This is a funny story about a duck who’s tired of his farm chores, so he decides to run for Farmer, then Governor, and eventually President!
Every job is too hard, so he ends up doing duck chores at the end!
Activity Ideas:
- Discuss a circle story, as well as cause and effect, and character change– What caused Duck to run for each office? Why did he end up in the same position he started? Do you think he feels differently about his chores now?
- Class Mascot Vote- hold a class election for a mascot. Have students think of pros and cons of different farm animals, then get a plushy of the winner! Use it as an incentive for great behavior. Place on desk/ table of students who are working their best!
Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio
When Grace learns there’s never been a female president, she makes it her mission to be the first! She runs for class president and we learn about campaigning, the electoral process, and determination!
THEMES: perseverance, representation, equality
Activity Ideas:
- Character Analysis- Discuss Grace’s character and have students create a character map, choosing an example from the story to support one of their chosen traits.
- Campaign Poster- Have students complete a campaign poster for themselves as president!
Max for President by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Max is running for class president, but his classmate, Kelly, is tough competition. They both work hard and Max is devastated when she wins. But, when she asks him to be her vice-president, he’s thrilled and they realize that working together, they can achieve more!
THEMES: farness, teamwork, friendship
Activity Ideas:
- Compare and Contrast the characters and their campaigns.
- Story Elements- Have students identify the characters, setting, problem, and solution.
- This story also has a pretty clear beginning, middle, and end for summarizing.
Monster Needs Your Vote by Paul Czajak
Monster isn’t old enough to vote, so he decides to run for president! He runs on platforms no one cares about, until he’s inspired by the library being shut down. He starts a campaign to keep libraries open and starts a movement!
THEMES: standing up for beliefs, persistence
Activity Ideas:
- Campaign Poster- Brainstorm a list of things students care about and want to protect/ improve. Have students make a poster or present their cause to the class.
- Problem/ Solution- There are several problems Monster encounters in this story, perfect for a problem/solution chart!
If I Ran for President by Catherine Stier
If you want a comprehensive book about the election process, this one is it! It walks them through what it would be like to actually run for president—everything from giving speeches to shaking hands and planning big campaign events. The story is engaging and really shows kids that anyone can dream big and maybe even be president someday!
THEMES: election process, ambition
Activity Ideas:
- Campaign Poster- I’ve mentioned this activity a few times here, but it’s what Election Day is all about! I love reading what students love about themselves and why they’d make a great president, so it’s one of our favorite Election Day activities.
- Sequencing the Election Process- Because this book goes through each step, you can create a timeline with your class to sequence the election process.
Vote for Our Future by Margaret McNamara
In this story, a local school becomes a polling place, and students learn how voting affects their community. They go on a mission to spread the word for everyone to vote, answering many objections along the way. Such a great book about civic responsibility and how small changes can make a BIG impact! I love how the ending pages open to a big spread with everyone voting- very inspiring! It also includes a history of voting acts.
THEMES: civic responsibility, community
Activity Ideas:
- In this book, the community members make a lot of objections to voting (they aren’t registered, won’t be around, think their vote doesn’t matter…). This is a great opportunity to discuss the benefits of having a positive mindset!
- Voting Poster/ Persuasive Essay- Have students make a poster with all the reasons people should vote! This can also be a persuasive writing assignment for older students.
The Little Book of Presidential Elections by Zack Bush and Laurie Friedman
This book provides a simplified overview of the presidential election process in the United States, covering key terms, the election timeline, and what makes a candidate. Great intro book for young students!
THEMES: civic knowledge, the election process
Activity Ideas:
- Fact and Opinion- Write a few facts and opinions about elections for kids to sort, then have them add more.
- Timeline– Create a timeline for the election process.
My Teacher for President by Kay Winters
A little boy imagines his teacher as the president, noticing all the ways her actions in the classroom would make her perfect for the job. From keeping everyone organized to making fair decisions, he points out how her everyday skills would shine in the White House! This adorable book is perfect for sparking a discussion about the qualities that make a great leader.
THEMES: leadership, respect, imagination, everyday heroes
Activity Ideas:
- Character Analysis- Have students make a character map of the teacher in the story or YOU! Or, they can choose someone else in their lives that would make a great leader.
- Compare and Contrast the teacher/ president actions and illustrations.
I hope these Election Day book picks come in handy this year and spark some meaningful discussions in your classroom! Each story brings the idea of voting and leadership to life in a way that kids can really connect with.
And to make things even easier, I’ve included free graphic organizers you can use with these books to reinforce important concepts. Grab your free printables below, and let’s get those little voters inspired!
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