The “Baby” branding and format may confuse many buyers; these simple civics lessons work best for preschoolers and up.
In this latest addition to the Baby Loves Political Science series (a spinoff of Baby Loves Science), a toddler discovers the duties of the United States president.
Jumper-wearing Baby, a confident preschooler with light-brown skin and hair pulled back in a bun, learns about leadership with Papa, who has slightly lighter skin than his offspring. Papa’s job running a food pantry is somewhat inexplicably compared to that of the U.S. president, shown here as a woman with silver hair and the same complexion as Baby. The straightforward text explains simple civic concepts in two or three sentences per double-page spread, running through the three branches of government, presidential responsibilities, Cabinet positions, and the electoral process. Diverse representation abounds, with governmental officials of a variety of skin colors; some wear hijabs, turbans, or head scarves, and others use wheelchairs or forearm crutches. Companion title Congress! publishes simultaneously and introduces a different preschooler named Baby to explain the legislative branch of government. This tot and an unidentified caregiver, both with dark-brown skin and curly, brown hair, write their congressperson urging support for environmental protection legislation. In both books, the cartoon art uses subtly textured, vivid colors to illustrate this sunny, optimistic world. As with much of the series, the explanations and scenarios are pitch-perfect for preschoolers but, like Air Force One, will fly over the heads of actual babies.
The “Baby” branding and format may confuse many buyers; these simple civics lessons work best for preschoolers and up. (Board book. 3-5)Pub Date: April 13, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-62354-235-1
Page Count: 20
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: May 18, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2021
A straightforward and lively introduction to the democratic process for readers older than babies.
Baby learns about the elections in this latest entry to the Baby Loves… series.
A toddler with light-brown skin works with her white mommy to color signs and put stamps on postcards to get out the vote, and she cheers Mommy on when she “puts the ballot into the machine.” Along the way, Baby explores key aspects of the political process with her white mom and another, brown-skinned caregiver, such as campaigning, candidates, and the different types of political leaders. It is a simplified and rosy picture of American democracy, asserting confidently that the “candidate with the most votes wins,” and political opponents “can still be friends” after an election. The art is a toddler-centric, idealized world in a bold, bright cartoon style featuring political candidates from a wide range of backgrounds. There is a female-presenting president, a black, male-presenting vice president, a brown-skinned, hijabi senator, and a white, male-presenting representative who uses a wheelchair. While the explanations, imagery, and suggested activities are spot-on for older preschoolers, the format and the “baby” label make the content developmentally inappropriate for the target audience of babies and toddlers. Little ones still learning to label things in their homes and their neighborhoods will be hard-pressed to understand the basics of civic engagement.
A straightforward and lively introduction to the democratic process for readers older than babies. (Board book. 3-5)Pub Date: April 7, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-62354-227-6
Page Count: 20
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: March 24, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2020
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