Your voice matters and with another Federal election just around the corner, it’s more important than ever to exercise your hard-fought right to vote. To learn more about why democracy is so important library staff have put together some of their favourite books about the importance and history of voting suitable for readers of all ages. Feel free to place a hold or check out this list of even more books about voting, elections and democracy found on our online catalogue.
To learn more about candidates running in the Huron-Bruce riding and how and where you can vote, visit Elections Canada.
Non-Fiction: Should we Change how we Vote? Evaluating Canada’s Electoral System edited by Andrew Potter, Daniel Weinstock and Peter Loewen
Following the 2015 Federal Election in which the Liberals pledged to reform Canada’s electoral voting system, a number of scholars conducted rigorous research into the existing system’s flaws and benefits and what a change without a referendum could mean for Canada.
Fiction: The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis
The hilarious first book in the Angus McLintock series by Canadian author Terry Fallis. The story sees a burnt out political staffer joining forces with a grumpy old engineering professor in a madcap campaign neither wanted to be a part of. This is a light-hearted and humorous insight into Federal politics like only Terry Fallis could write. It was also a Canada Reads winner and a Stephen Leacock Medal for Humor winner.
YA Fiction: Dear Manny by Nic Stone
While running for junior class president at his university, Jared falls for his opponent who has a similar platform based on equity and inclusion, and processes his feelings by writing letters to his deceased friend Manny.
Juvenile Graphic Novel: Very Bad at Math by Hope Larsen
Verity ‘Very’ Nelson tries to do it all including winning her re-election for Class President but when she starts to fall behind in math her identity as the ‘best’ starts to crumble in this heartfelt middle grade graphic novel about learning how to manage dyscalculia – a condition that causes Verity to mix up numbers.
Juvenile Fiction: Eva for President by Rebecca Elliott
When no one steps up to run against Sue for class president, Eva decides to throw her hat into the ring during this very special week at Treetop Elementary.
Juvenile Non-Fiction: Get Out and Vote! by Elizabeth MacLeod; illustrated by Emily Chu
An accessible, well-written and comprehensive non-fiction book that introduces readers to voting around the world and why it matters. With photos and illustrations throughout, it challenges young people to exercise their democratic right to cast a ballot and provides real-life examples of young activists from across the globe.
Juvenile Non-fiction: Canada Votes by Linda Granfield; illustrated by Craig Terlson
Kids get a close-up look at the political process and explore all aspects of an election – from the day Parliament is dissolved to the day after the polls close. Granfield charts the evolution of elections to the present day, when a candidate’s media image can make or break the campaign. Canada Votes lets kids in on how voting lists are now compiled electronically, what issue the last national referendum decided and more.
Picture Books: This Little Voter by Ann Bonnie; illustrated by Carol Herring
Celebrate voting in this election day-themed twist on the classic nursery rhyme “This Little Piggy”! Little voters are busy getting ready to cast their ballots! They’re registering, marking the date, watching debates, and wishing readers a happy election day.