"The children of fictional Stanton Elementary School educate themselves and their community about the vote in this picture book.

With its illustrations of simple shapes in bright colors imbuing a sense of positive action and a diverse cast of characters, this picture book rocks—and that’s even before the narrative takes hold. When Stanton’s students learn that their school becomes a polling station every two years, they want to be part of it—but learn they can’t vote until they are 18. Undeterred, they take action. The kids do their research and then engage their community to encourage those of voting age to go to the polls. They go door to door with voter-guide pamphlets, they hold a bake sale (with clever reminders like “Donut forget to vote”), and remind their families to vote. Each child-empowering scenario is paired with an adult’s excuse (“I’ll be away”; “I’m not even registered”; “I can’t walk so far”), and with each comment, the kids have an answer that draws on their research: “You can vote by mail”; “It’s not hard to register”; “A volunteer can drive you!” These kids mean business; it’s their future after all. Children and adults depicted represent a range of skin colors, hair textures, and gender presentations; one girl and her aunt wear hijab. Backmatter includes a quick listing of kid-relevant federal legislation.

Essential—the energetic narrative and uplifting illustrations will inspire and empower young readers to get out the vote. (Picture book. 5-9)" www.kirkusreviews.com, A Kirkus Starred Review

A wonderful and inspiring children's book about getting out the vote. I just wish this stuff actually worked and politicians weren't corrupt as all get out. ( )

"Kids have to live with adult choices."

When their elementary school closes on election day so the community can use the facility as a polling station, the children of this book did some research to find out why it's important to vote and how they can take action despite not being of voting age yet. The kids remind their neighbors of the election, help register their sister and her friend online, find rides for homebound voters, and help their families make voting plans.

The end of this book, on election day, gave me goosebumps. It's a solid reminder to anyone that our right to vote is precious and important.

The end of the book includes a list and description of laws that Congress has passed to make the future better, including the Civil Rights Act, Postal Service Act, Indian Citizenship Act, and Air Pollution Act. Children's books are powerful! ( )

When Stanton Elementary School closes for Election Day the students do their research declaring, “kids have to live with adult choices”and set out share what they’ve learned. Vote for Our Future stresses the importance of voting to younger generation by sharing history and how voting has become easier and more accessible. Excuses are kindly discouraged by reminding people women didn’t even have the right to vote a hundred years ago and how much easier voting is today. Micah Player’s digital vivid illustrations focus on people and their actions and the foldout toward the end is brilliant. Author Margaret McNamara also includes information on eight acts Congress has passed such as the Civil Rights Act, the Indian Citizenship Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. This book is a must have for every school and public library. ( )

A nicely illustrated book that covers all the bases and provides effective arguments for the most common excuses we hear for not voting or registering to vote. It would be a good choice for any school or public library to own and promote in the weeks before an election. ( )