A Little Election

A Little Election by Danny Katz, illustrated by Mitch Vane (Black Dog Books)
PB RRP $ 16.95
ISBN 9781922179654
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Do children ever understand anything about elections and election campaigns? Probably not! This story, another published to coincide with our Federal Elections, will give them some basic points about this complex procedure.

Rory is a boy who wants to be Prime Minister so he can do what he likes, which is mostly being naughty. His teacher takes hold of the situation and sets up a mock election campaign with Rory and Debra-Jo as candidates. She aims to teach her class, and Rory, that the role of PM is not one of freedom and self-indulgence, but one of great responsibility. They work through a little election covering voters, electoral seats, speechmaking/campaigning, voting and the Leader of the Opposition.

This is a subtle breakdown on what elections are and how they are carried out disguised within funny and cheeky childhood antics. This story will give young children some basic points with a lot of laughs along the way.

Mitch Vane’s free-spirited illustrations break loose again to unite perfectly with the superbly clever Danny Katz’s highly entertaining text.