Kirkus Reviews (Sun Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Young Leo learns that every vote countsLeo couldn't be more proud of Dad, who just became a U.S. citizen and earned his right to vote-and Leo gets to go with him when he casts his vote for the president. At school, there will be a mock presidential election, and Leo's excited. But when Cousin Ray announces that he's not voting ("Do youreally think one person is going to make a difference?"), Leo feels discouraged. Cautiously bolstered by reminders that people are still fighting for the right to vote in the U.S. and abroad, Leo casts a vote. When Leo's teacher tallies the results, it all comes down to one ballot! Later, when the polling place is nearing closing time, Leo encourages others to stay in line, knowing that every vote matters. Soontornvat conveys a timely and accessible message of the power and importance of participating in the democratic process. Roxas' mixed-media illustrations depict a community diverse in terms of age, race, and religion. Leo's family is brown-skinned, though we don't learn about their heritage. Facts about the U.S. voting process are integrated throughout the story; practical backmatter expands on that information. In a callback to Leo's mock election, Soontornvat details several states' House of Representatives elections in which one vote decided the outcome. Publishes simultaneously in Spanish.An invaluable addition to any young citizen-in-training's bookshelf.(Picture book. 5-9)

Publishers Weekly (Thu Oct 31 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

This moving picture book biography from Golio and Lewis explores the work that poet Walt Whitman (1819–1892) took on during the U.S. Civil War. In New York City, where he befriends ferry pilots and occasionally visits them in the hospital, he begins visiting wounded Union soldiers, as well. When his brother’s misspelled name appears on a list of wounded soldiers, Whitman hurries south, finding his sibling in Virginia. The poet stays at the camp to talk to soldiers and write letters for those who cannot, and army doctors eventually put him in charge of wounded soldiers being sent to Washington, D.C. Graceful, light-filled watercolor spreads depict hazily chaotic battles, city scenes, and Whitman’s face and faraway eyes as he wrestles with the pain he encounters. As one included quotation reads, “I do not see that I do much good to these wounded and dying... but I cannot leave them.” Reproduced photographs and more about the figure conclude. Ages 7–10. (Sept.)

School Library Journal (Sun Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Gr 1–3— The proud child of a newly naturalized U.S. citizen introduces the ins and outs of voting to younger readers, both in class as his teacher conducts a mock vote, and nationally by following his single dad during the run-up to a presidential election. Along with watching political ads and a debate on TV together, and having canvassers come to the door, the unnamed lad learns about polling places and voter registration—the latter necessity being something his father only learns about at a school event, and a wrinkle that may likewise be news to real parents or others about to vote for the first time. An older relative's dismissive remark that one vote doesn't count for much gets a suitably strong rejoinder, and another misapprehension is corrected when, on election night, people still waiting to cast their votes when the polls close are not (cannot, legally, be) turned away. The author skips mention of specific issues or recognizable candidates, and explains the electoral college only in the back matter, where several examples of elections that did hinge on one vote or a tiebreaker can be found, too. Roxas sets this simplified but informative introduction in a multicultural community. VERDICT A timely, if earnestly purposeful, overview of a basic civil right, aimed at younger audiences but with some savvy pointers for new Americans of any age.— John Edward Peters