MAX FOR PRESIDENT

A simple, pleasantly earnest, though young-hearted story of two classmates running for school president. The contest is very even-tempered, to the point of featuring one boy and one girl, Max and Kelly. Using his bright palette, and a combination of close-up head shots and encompassing classroom illustrations, Krosoczka documents the contestants postering the hallways, passing out campaign buttons (clearly these two have learned the art of campaign financing), and delivering speeches that keep the promises to the realizable: “More exciting games in the game room,” Max declares. “Better school lunches,” Kelly assures. The belly beats the toys. But Max is a brick in defeat, and Kelly shows she’s a practiced political veteran, minutes into the game, by enlisting Max as her vice president. Krosoczka presents student government at its gentle finest—respectful, issues oriented—that the national political theater might emulate. (Picture book. 4-8)