Are you looking for literature to support classroom instruction about Government? Check out Our Editors’ Choices for titles recommended by the Education World team. Then it's your turn to share books that you enjoy or use in your classroom in the Our Readers’ Voices section below. With your help, we will build the best list on the Internet of Best Books for teaching about Government.
D Is for Democracy: A Citizen's Alphabet
by Elissa Grodin
Democracy -- America has it and it seems like many other countries want it. But what exactly is a democracy and how easy is it to maintain? Despite the banter in today's media, many Americans are still in the dark when it comes to knowing and acting upon their rights and responsibilities as citizens of a democratic society. In candid and straight-to-the-point language, author Elissa Grodin takes readers of all ages on an A-Z trip through our government's structure, from its earliest beginnings to definitions of basic components and concepts (including immigration and taxation).
Woodrow, the White House Mouse
by Peter W. Barnes, Cheryl Shaw Barnes
This immensely popular book introduces readers to the workings of American government through every kid's favorite rodent -- a mouse! As the authors explain, every four years -- just like human Americans -- the United Mice of America elect a president. Through President Woodrow G. Washingtail and his family, kids learn about presidential responsibilities as well as life in the White House where these mice work and play side-by-side with our very own First Family.
Now It's Your Turn!
We've shared a few Editors' Choices for teaching about this theme. Now it's your turn to contribute to the Readers' Voices section below. Do you have a book related to this theme that you and your students enjoy? Just click here to share it!
Don't miss our Editors’ Choices for Teachers and for Parents. We're waiting for you to add your Readers' Voices there too.
The Look-It-Up Book of Presidents
by Wyatt Blassingame
Middle-graders can find out the answers to such questions as: When and why was the White House set on fire? Which president appears on the $5,000 bill? And who served only one month in office? In this book, the 43 presidents are arranged chronologically with short biographical sketches, exciting you-are-there action photos, cartoons, and campaign memorabilia. It's American history in a nutshell. Part of the Look-It-Up Books series.
My Senator and Me: A Dog's Eye View of Washington, D.C.
by Edward Kennedy
There's an old saying: "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog." A few years ago, Senator Ted Kennedy decided to do just that. Now his beloved Portuguese water dog -- Champion Amigo's Seventh Wave (nicknamed Splash) -- is the most famous canine on Capitol Hill. Here we follow Senator Kennedy and Splash through a busy day in D.C., from press conferences to meetings with school groups to committee discussions to a floor vote. The result is an exciting, behind-the-scenes look at the life of one of the most energetic figures in American politics -- and, of course, his equally famous owner.
How the U.S. Government Works
by Syl Sobel
A fine classroom supplement and a solid information source for kids writing social studies reports, this book explains the federal system as it works today, more than 200 years after the framers of the Constitution brought it into existence. Covered here are the legislative body, composed of Senate and House of Representatives; the executive branch, headed by the president and consisting of cabinet members and their agencies; and the judicial branch, headed by the U.S. Supreme Court and extending to federal courts throughout the nation. Young readers learn how officials are elected or appointed and how government agencies work for the people's benefit. A complex process is explained in interesting terms that young readers can comprehend.
Add your voice to our list of books for teaching about Government.
The Education World Editors’ Choices above represent just a handful of the fine books that might be used to support classroom instruction about Government. Now we’re waiting for you to add to our list! Simply send us your review of a favorite book in 100 words or fewer and we will add it to the Readers’ Choices below.
The Look-It-Up Book of Presidents
