Vote for Me!

Gr 1-3--This bipartisan picture book by the author and illustrator of the popular "Narwhal and Jelly" series pokes fun of political campaigning. Donkey and Elephant both want the readers' votes and will do anything to get them. "Do you like CANDY? Because...if you vote for ME, I'll give you a sucker!" "You ARE a SUCKER if you vote for HIM." Flattery, arrogance, bribery, nepotism, mudslinging, and name-calling leave both candidates feeling hurt and regretful. In the end, they apologize and eagerly await the election results together. Imagine their surprise when the Independent Mouse steals the election. "I would like to thank the millions of mice who voted for me to become the Big Cheese." With a nod to Mo Willems's "Elephant & Piggie" books, color coding and large speech bubbles are utilized. Donkey sports a light blue background and bow tie while Elephant appears on a bright red background with a long red tie. After the two major candidates make up, they appear together on two lavender spreads. The victorious independent party is represented by yellow with straw hats, balloons, and of course, cheese. In the end, indignant Elephant demands a recount, and he and Donkey resume their arguing over which of the two was the obvious "BEST CHOICE." VERDICT This lighthearted look at an often serious, divisive subject will leave children and adults laughing and possibly questioning the election process itself.--Barbara Auerbach, Cairo Public Library, NY