Using Your Voice

“The Day Gogo Went to Vote” by Elinor Batezat Sisulu

Thembi’s great-grandmother Gogo is very old, so old that she rarely leaves the house anymore. But when the blacks in South Africa finally win the right to vote in a governmental election, Gogo decides she must leave the house to vote.

The last time Gogo went out, she had to wait in line at the pension office for hours, and she was sick for days after. Thembi’s parents, aunts and uncles are worried that Gogo doesn’t have the strength for a bus trip, crowds and long lines at the polling stations. They urge her not to go. But Gogo does not waver. “Black people in South Africa have fought for many years for the right to vote. This is the first time we have a chance to vote for our own leaders, and it might be my last.”

Gogo’s determination causes a stir in the township. A wealthy merchant offers his shiny Mercedes and driver to take Gogo to vote. At the polling station, she is ushered in without standing in line. After she casts her ballot, photographers are waiting to capture the event.

The next day there’s a picture of Gogo and 6-year-old Thembi in the newspaper. The reader finally learns that Gogo is 100 years old, the oldest voter in the township. Her vote helps elect Nelson Mandela as president of the country.

This gracefully written tale is an excellent way to introduce the concepts of elections, democracy and equal rights to children. It’s been a long time since groups of adult citizens in America belatedly won the right to vote. The idea that this happened in 1994 in South Africa gives the message immediacy. Evocative pastel illustrations by Sharon R. Wilson complete this classy package. (Little, Brown & Co., ages 5 and up, 32 pgs., $14.95)

“The Voice of the People: American Democracy in Action” by Betsy and Giulio Maestro

“Voice of the People …” takes a huge, complex subject and portrays it in terms that will be understandable and interesting to elementary-aged children. The Maestros cover democracy, other types of government, the history of our government and political process, the role of the three branches of government, political parties, conventions, election day and even presidential salaries.

And they do it simply, but not simplistically, in 48 pages that are liberally illustrated with colorful and realistic watercolors. Many pictures are fine portrayals of presidents and other actual historical figures.

As well as being invaluable in schools or at home this election season, “Voice of the People,” can be a useful tool for adults to quickly brush up on all they’ve forgotten from civics classes. Look also for the Maestros’ books on the Constitution, Statue of Liberty, immigration, and discovery and exploration of America. (Lothrop, Lee & Shephard, ages 6 and up, 48 pgs., $16.)

“Eleanor” by Barbara Cooney

Money is no guarantee of happiness. That’s one lesson children can draw from this poignant and well-researched biography of young Eleanor Roosevelt, whose privileged upbringing failed to protect her from a childhood of loneliness and loss. From the day she was born, Eleanor was a disappointment to her beautiful mother. She was plain and awkward. Worse still, she wasn’t a boy.

Her father adored her, but both parents led busy social lives and Eleanor spent most of her time with a French-speaking nanny. Her mother died when she was 8, and her father died when she was 9. The orphaned Eleanor spent quiet, bleak winters at her Grandma Hall’s house in the city. Summers were happier, spent in a big Hudson River house filled with family, but she still never really fit in.

At 16, Eleanor was sent to boarding school in London. There she meant a wonderful mentor, the school’s headmistress Mlle. Souvestre, and began growing into the highly respected woman who became first lady of the United States.

This is not just a fine biography. It is also a fascinating picture of upper-class life at the turn of the century. Cooney, author of “Miss Rumphius,” is one of the finest children’s writer/ illustrators around. Her picture book about Emily Dickinson (“Emily”) is also wonderful. (Viking, ages 5 and up, 40 pgs., $15.99.)

“Mr. Lincoln’s Whiskers” by Karen Winnick

This is based on a true story of how an ordinary little girl influenced the future president of the United States. Grace Bedell’s father returns from New York with a picture of Lincoln for his daughter. The 11-year-old decides Lincoln will be a good president, but her family is split. Brother Levant says he looks like “a railsplitter, not a president.”

Grace runs off to her room and pens a letter to Lincoln, urging him to grow his whiskers. “You would look a great deal better for your face is too thin. All the ladies like whiskers and they would tease their husbands to vote for you.”

Grace becomes a local celebrity when she receives a letter back from Lincoln. After some small talk, he gets to the subject of the whiskers: “Having never worn any, do you not think people would call it a piece of silly affection if I were to begin it now?” Of course, Lincoln wins the election.

Two months later, he heads by train to Washington, D.C. for his inauguration. His train is to stop in Grace’s town. She goes to the train station, but has no hope of seeing Lincoln with the crowds of adults standing in front of her. But Lincoln calls her by name to the front of the platform to show her his whiskers. The book includes photographs of both letters. Winnick’s old-fashioned oil paintings complement the interesting story. (Boyds Mills Press, ages 5-8, 32 pgs., $15.95.)

“Gracias, the Thanksgiving Turkey” by Joy Cowley

Thanksgiving is coming, and the turkey’s getting fat. That’s bad news for Miguel, who is getting attached to the live turkey his truck-driving father sent home to be fattened up in time for Thanksgiving. Miguel, who misses his dad terribly, cheers up a bit when Gracias becomes his best friend. The turkey goes everywhere with Miguel. Gracias even attends Mass one day and is blessed by the priest.

Miguel’s grandparents decide they can’t eat a turkey that’s been blessed. So it’s chicken for Thanksgiving, and a new home for Gracias at a petting zoo. This is a nice portrait of a loving family and a culturally rich big-city neighborhood. Lively oil paintings by Joe Cepeda will help readers grow attached to Gracias and Miguel, too. (Scholastic Press, ages 4-8, 32 pgs., $15.99.)

MEMO: Children’s book reviews by Tacoma writer Rebecca Young appear monthly on the Families page.