Posted 3:08 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Get Kids Involved in Civic Engagement
By Teri Holford, interim Outreach Librarian
Ben’s Guide is a great resource for teaching kids about civic engagement on a federal level. Kids have a role to play as future informed voters and active participants in our democracy. It’s never too early to start!
Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government is a service of the Government Publishing Office (GPO). Designed to inform students, parents, and educators about the Federal Government, you can easily find information for the right age group (4-8, 9-13 and 14+), or by topics in the Learning Adventures, learn new vocabulary in the Glossary, and play interactive games that test your knowledge.
Murphy Library has great books for kids to learn more about the Federal Government, biographies of important people in politics, and political parties. Below are a few selected books:
Picture books:
- “Vote for Our Future” (by Margaret McNamara, call # E Mcn)
- “Just Help! Building a Better World” (by Sonia Sotomayor, call # E Sot)
- “When Penny Met Potus” (by Rachel Ruiz, call # E Rui)
- “I Pledge Allegiance” (by Pat Mora, call # E Mor)
- “Lillian’s Right to Vote” (by Jonah Winter, call # E Win)
- “Madam President” (by Lane Smith, call # E Smi)
Information books:
- “The Next President” (by Kate Mesner, call # 973 Mes)
- “The Republican Party : Documents Decoded” (by Douglas Harris, call # 324.2 Har)
- “The Democratic Party: Documents Decoded” (by Douglas Harris, call # 324.2 Har)
- “Presidential Campaigns: Documents Decoded” (by Daniel Shea, call # 324.7 She)
- “A Kids Book About Voting” (by Next Up, call # 324.9 Nex)
Graphic Novels:
- “Drawing the Vote: An Illustrated Guide to Voting in America” (by call # GN Jen)
Teacher Resources:
- “Free government e-resources for youth : inform, inspire, and activate” (call # 025.2 O76 in the teacher book section)