Voting can be an emotional experience, regardless of whether you’re a seasoned voter or it’s your first time in the voting booth. Filling in the bubble beside your candidates’ names sparks a sense of pride, responsibility, and gratitude. But, let’s face it—voting can also be an overwhelming experience. Even without a pandemic to complicate the process, you have to research the candidates and their platforms, stand in (occasionally long) lines, and know which buttons to push in the booth. If you vote by mail, there’s the separate stress of requesting and waiting for your ballot, and then remembering to mail it back in time for the deadline. Plus, you still have to anxiously wait for the results—arguably the most harrowing part!
For parents and caregivers, there’s an extra layer of juggling to be done on Election Day. Coordinating childcare for the time needed to run to the polls is no easy task, especially as many schools and districts close on Election Day. It may seem like more trouble than it’s worth to bring little ones to the polls—but all 50 states allow minors in the voting booth, and for good reason!
It is widely believed that bringing children to vote on election day will encourage them to become voters once they turn eighteen—in doing so, adults are modeling civic duty, which is especially impactful when children are at a habit-forming age. Going to the polls with a parent or caregiver introduces little ones to the process of voting, and instills positive lessons about responsibility and honor. Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, author of Children of Character, notes that the physical acts involved in the process of voting, including traveling to the polls, standing in line, and marking in a ballot, cement the memory of voting and even underscore the significance of the day (WSJ).
It is worth noting, however, that kids may need some coaching ahead of time on how to behave in an adult space (sometimes the lines can be really long). Lucky for all of us, author Jan Zauzmer decided to write If You Go With Your Goat to Vote for just this reason. In her adorable, just-published children’s voting book illustrated by Andrew Roberts, thirteen animal families teach children ages 2 to 5 exactly what to expect when they go to the polls with their caregivers. If You Go With Your Goat to Vote describes everything from heading to the polls, voting for your favorite candidate, getting the prized “I Voted” sticker (!), and waiting up on election night to see the results—and it even shows children the excitement of voting by mail (below).
There is no better kids’ book on the market to prepare little ones to visit the polls with their grown-up. Zauzmer is nonpartisan in her approach, and leaves readers with positive messages about democracy designed to inspire. It’s the perfect read ahead of election day—and even comes with a sheet of “I Voted” stickers!
If You Go With Your Goat to Vote publishes today, and the charming animal families within its pages are sure to delight little ones with the power, responsibility, and *fun* to be had from voting. Don’t forget to vote this year on November 3, and to bring your little one(s) with you when you do—between the voting experience, and the magic of If You Go With Your Goat to Vote, they’re sure to grow up to be voters, too!
Check out the book trailer here, and pick up your copy wherever books are sold!
