D Is for Democracy: A Citizen's Alphabet (Sleeping Bear Press Alphabet Books)

Rating:
Summary: A picturebook worthy of the highest recommendation
Review: Clearly written by Elissa Grodin and distinctively illustrated by Victor Juhasz, D Is For Democracy is not an ordinary alphabet book. Each letter is associated with a word or concept associated with democratic government, such as J is for Judicial branch, and a simple poem (J is for Judicial branch - / For justice, judge, and jury. / Those who do not break the law / never have to worry) - but in addition, a much more extensive sidebar appropriate for young folks of grade school reading level and up explains in-depth the value of the idea to a pluralistic, representative society, such as how the Brown v. Board of Education judicial case brought a landmark change in America when the Supreme Court ruled segregation to be unconstitutional. Kindly color illustrations of our nations' institutions at work bring the points to life in D Is For Democracy, a picturebook worthy of the highest recommendation.


Rating:
Summary: A citizen's alphabet as an intro to American Government
Review: If you want to know whether "D is for Democracy: A Citizen's Alphabet" is right for your youngster who is learning to read, then all I need to tell you is that "A is for Amendment" and "Z is for Zeitgeist." Consequently, it is pretty clear that this book by Elissa Grodin with illustrations by Victor Juhasz is intended more for students who are getting close to voting age rather than those who are getting close to school age (go ahead, tell a four year old that "Z is for Zeitgeist" and see how they look at you).

In the great tradition of alphabet books Grodin provides a rhyming couplet (I think these are still couplets even though they are presented in four lines) for each letter (e.g., "D is for Democracy / where citizens can choose / whom they wish to vote for / and freely share their views"). But then, in addition to the illustration provided for each letter, there are also paragraphs of informative text in small print providing simple explanations of complex things like immigration, political parties, and taxes. Grodin is able to find words that are on point for nearly all of the letters of the alphabet, the exceptions being "L" is for "First Ladies" and having to go with "X" as marking the spot. But since she is covering the basic components and concepts of democracy in this format she is allowed to be a little creative at times.

Those who are well versed with the images of American history will notice that Juhasz's illustrations for "D is for Democracy" and "W is for Washington" are based on famous paintings. One of my favorites is the picture of cartoonist Thomas Nast for "U is for Uncle Sam," an entry that also talks about the meaning of the word "patriot" (since "P is for Political Party"). The question is how appealing with this book be to those who cannot yet pick up on the interesting illusions. Hopefully Grodin and Juhasz have made things a bit fun for students being introduced to the principles of government, because any kid who opens this book is going to see that it might be having some fun with the subject matter, but it is taking the ideas seriously as well.