Everyone Gets a Say

A group of forest animals decide to organize their first-ever election to select a Village Leader. Moose wants the position but learns he must first compete against other candidates who have different ideas about leadership. The animals work to set up their democratic process, figuring out rules and procedures along the way. The story follows their experiences with campaigning, debating, and voting as they navigate this new endeavor. The campaign brings both challenges and opportunities as the forest community learns to listen to different viewpoints and work together. Through trial and error, they discover what matters most when choosing a leader. This picture book explores themes of democracy, civic engagement, and the importance of having a voice in one's community. The story presents complex political concepts in terms children can grasp while emphasizing cooperation and respect for others' opinions.

Readers highlight this book's message about democracy and voting being accessible to children. Parents and teachers report that it serves as an introduction to civic engagement for ages 4-8. Positive reviews focus on: - Simple explanations of voting concepts - Engaging animal characters - Humor that appeals to both kids and adults - Illustrations that support the story Critical reviews mention: - Political undertones some felt were too heavy - Message occasionally overshadows the story - Pacing issues in the middle section Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (483 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (356 ratings) One teacher noted: "My first graders understood the voting process better after this book." A parent wrote: "The penguin character adds levity to what could be a dry topic." Some reviewers indicated the book works better as a teaching tool than an entertaining story, with one stating: "More textbook than storybook at times."

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✦ Author Jill Twiss is also a writer for "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" and has won multiple Emmy Awards for her television writing. ✦ The book's main character, a penguin named Pudding, was inspired by real emperor penguins who make democratic decisions about when to dive for food through group consensus. ✦ The story teaches children about democracy and voting through the relatable scenario of choosing a class pet, making complex civics concepts accessible to young readers. ✦ This is one of several children's books by Jill Twiss that tackle important social topics, including her bestseller "A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo" about LGBTQ+ acceptance. ✦ The book's illustrator, Jenna Brocious, worked to ensure that the penguin characters' emotions and expressions were clear and engaging for young readers, helping them connect with the story's message about voting and fairness.