Election Day (Holiday Histories)

Gr. 2-3, younger for reading aloud. Both of these titles in the Holiday Histories series are flawed, but there's so little information on the subjects for the age group they may be useful until something better comes along. Earth Day begins confusingly: nine planets "circle around our sun" and the "third one" is Earth. The next spread discusses how there was no Earth Day when "your grandparents were born." Then, the book goes back in time, thousands of years. More focused is the discussion of how limited resources and a demand for goods resulted in plundering the planet. Pollution is covered, as are endangered species. The book closes with the founding of Earth Day, how it is celebrated, and the new laws passed to help Earth. Election Day has a picture of FDR on the cover, a president not likely to be recognized by primary graders. The book also has an awkward beginning: "Most children are in school and most grown-ups have gone to work. Yet there is excitement in the air." However, the simple explanation of how Election Day evolved, who was formerly unable to vote, and how votes are cast is interesting. Unfortunately, with the focus on presidential elections, children may not realize Election Day is to choose other office holders as well. Color and black-and-white photos appear on every page, perking up the short text. Each book has a glossary and a short bibliography. Ilene Cooper
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