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Leo's First Vote!
CCBC Review:
Leo’s dad has just become a U.S. citizen, which “means so much for our family.” Leo (brown-skinned) is excited that his dad has promised Leo can come along when he casts his first vote in a presidential election. At school, Leo’s teacher, Ms. Beck, is holding a mock election. Both at home and in class Leo learns more about elections and events leading up to them, like national conventions and debates. His dad listens to and learns about both candidates before deciding whom he’ll vote for. Leo is disheartened to hear his cousin say that he’s not planning on voting, since one person can’t really make a difference. Leo wonders if this is true—that one person’s vote doesn’t matter—but his class election proves that one person does make a difference when the winner is decided by a single vote. Information about voting and voting rights, some of it understandably simplified, is packed into this winning story that never feels didactic. The end matter about voting extends opportunities for learning in a picture book with lively, colorful mixed-media illustrations. ©2025 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by Isabel Roxas
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 5-8
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format:
Picture book
Subjects:
Anticipation
Fathers
Voting Rights/Elections
Diversity subject:
Brown Skin Unspecified
Publishers:
Knopf, Random House
Publish Year: 2024
Pages: 40
ISBN: 9780593644263
CCBC Location: Picture Book, Soontornvat