Picturebook Review: Vote for Me! by Ben Clanton

Vote for Me! by Ben Clanton is a book that caught my eye during campaign season, and made me smile. In this book a donkey and an elephant each want your vote, and they will do just about anything to get it. Name calling, impossible promises, and everything that we see in our real campaigns is here, but in a way that is funny and entertaining. However, in this election, after the mud slinging is done everyone is surprised with an unexpected outcome involving a third party.

Vote for Me!  is a satiric look at American politics, literal mud slinging included, intended for children. We see candidates saying and doing whatever they thing will get them elected, without paying much attention to the larger picture. Adult frustrated and annoyed with the political climate will enjoy the comical and retro illustrations combined with a story that might sound a little to realistic to comfortably laugh at.

I recommend Vote for Me! to children and adults alike that are ready to laugh at the American political system. The dueling candidate's exchanges will make everyone smile, even if adults are still tired from the far too recent election and campaigns. Good for starting classroom discussions about elections and treating each other with respect. It would also work well in one on one sharing and library storytime.