D Is for Democracy: A Citizen's Alphabet

by Elissa D. Grodin, Victor Juhasz (Illustrator)

Despite the banter in today's media, many Americans are still in the dark when it comes to knowing and acting upon their rights and responsibilities as citizens of a democratic society. In refreshingly candid and straight-to-the-point language author Elissa Grodin takes readers of all ages on an A-Z trip through our government's structure, from its earliest beginnings to definitions of basic components and concepts (including immigration and taxation). Engaging, disarming, and frequently thought-provoking artwork from illustrator Victor Juhasz emphasizes the magnitude of the subject. From founding fathers, first ladies, and the First Amendment to the presidential oath of office, D is for Democracy details the political processes, parties, and people of democracy, American-style. Elissa D. Grodin grew up in a large family in Kansas City, Missouri, and was fifteen years old when she started to write short stories. While living in London in the late '70s, she wrote for the Times Literary Supplement and New Statesman. After moving to New York, she studied at the School of Visual Arts and met her husband, actor Charles Grodin, while interviewing him for American Film magazine. D is for Democracy is her second children's book with Sleeping Bear Press. She also wrote N is for A Connecticut Alphabet. Elissa lives with her family in Wilton, Connecticut. A graduate of the Parsons School of Design, Victor Juhasz began illustrating in 1974. His humorous illustrations and caricatures have been commissioned by major magazines, newspapers, advertising agencies, and book publishers both national and international, and his clients include Time, Newsweek, The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and GQ. Victor lives in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, History, Childrens, Government, Politics, American History

40 pages, Paperback

First published August 31, 2004

About the author

Elissa D. Grodin is a physics buff who writes mysteries featuring Edwina Goodman, an assistant professor and theoretical physicist at an Ivy League college in New England. Edwina, who often kayaks on the river in order to do some of her best thinking, is self-effacing, indefatigably curious, and brilliant. Her boyfriend, Will Tenney, is a police detective in their little college town of New Guilford. With her uncanny ability to analyze cause and effect, Edwina occasionally proves herself to be of invaluable assistance to police investigations. Her mathematical way of seeing the world allows her unusual insights into the most baffling cases.

Elissa Grodin lives in Connecticut and New York City.

Reviews

[Julie Ditton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alphabet books used to be for toddlers and preschoolers. But this clever book uses an alphabet book format to teach older kids all about our government. Primarily aimed at middle grade kids from 8 -12, this versatile book teaches at two different levels. Each spread addresses one concept, such as A is for amendment. One page has a simple four line poem that explains the idea in language appropriate for young children. The facing page has several paragraphs that expound on the idea. These pages are appropriate for older students or for adults who wish to brush up on the background before teaching. The book can be used in the classroom as the basis for social studies lessons, a language arts lesson on poetry. It is also great in the home or library for patriotic holiday story time.

[Vivian Madrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Non-Fiction
Connection: Text-to-Teach
This book is written for 3rd to 5th grade. For Language Arts, student can pretend to be news reporters to research a subject that interests them. This book is filled with vocabulary words that are vital in understanding the way government works. For Social Studies, students can be asked to organize a food or book drive to share with the community shelter or library. Students can also look for local or regional organizations that see how you can help their efforts.

[Emily Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book teaches students the rights and responsibilities they have as American citizens. I loved how the book organizes information based on what letter they belong in. I also loved the illustrations because they show examples to students what people do to have their voices known. I think this book would be great for 3rd-5th grade as a civics lesson that teaches them voting and their rights/responsibility.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty excellent read, very appropriate for current events and looking back at our Anemic history. We bought this on a recommendation of the Memories Press Second Grade curriculum, therefore, I'm not surprised by how much we learned and enjoyed from it. Today, it was another requested read by the three year old as a pre-naptime. I'm really starting to like these themed alphabet books.

[Chelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a non-fiction book that takes you through the alphabet of democracy. Meant for middle grades (MG), this book teaches the importance of Democracy while giving a history of what each letter represents. I.e. "F is for Founding Fathers who went to a convention..." and on the side of that page is the description of the Constitutional Convention with dates.
This is a great start to the knowledge that began America's Democracy and give important facts that will encourage young readers in caring for the system.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! At age 5 there's just enough information with the letter and a short sentence or two. And then we can grow with this book and dive into the more detailed text in years to come.

Engaging illustrations!

[Mellanie C · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very thorough introduction to American politics.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

AR 7.3

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written creatively and fit well with the theme. It had a faster pace than some of the other books in this series.

[Carley Trumbower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informational, published in 2006
D is for democracy is a great book to read to young kids to teach them about our democracy and how they can be active members of our government! This is also a great book to read to kids who could potentially want to be the president or members of our government!

[Brittany Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

No Awards
Appropriate grade levels: 4-6
This book tells us about different historical things, each beginning with a different letter of the alphabet. There is a little description saying what each letter stands for. They also include a longer more detailed description of what each letter stands for on the side of the page.
I like this book. I think it can be very helpful for kids to read to get a basic understanding about some of the subjects/people. The illustrations are also really good.
You could use this in the classroom to teach about the alphabet as well as introducing some political and historical information.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Startting with amendment and ending with Zeitgeist, this ABC book takes readers on a quick but informative tour on the democratic process, viewed through an American lens. Each letter of the alphabet gets four lines, two of which rhyme, and then sidenotes amplify the concepts being introduced by each letter. The book employs vivid, cartoonish art that shows the country's citizens engaged in civic responsibilities. One of my favorite pages highlights a nine-year-old, Kory Johnson, who became involved in a grassroots campaign to make the environment safer for children. My only disappointment with the book was the page depicting the nation's Senators, showing only one female among all those males. Still, this is a highly engaging, quick-to-read title that informs while also entertaining, something that might not be as true about the many campaign ads inundating the countryside as the November election fast approaches.

[Eraina C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elissa Grodin encourages readers to become knowledgeable citizens as they take a run through the ABC's of citizenship and democracy in the United States of America! A unique depiction of the various aspects of our government, students can learn about the Bill of Rights, Congress, and Democracy. A teacher can zoom in on a particular letter such as the letter Q which stands for a citizen's right to question or the letter R which represents the principles of religious freedom. In preparation for an election, students can explore the letters E for election, O for Oath of Office, P for political parties, and V for voters. Each letter contributes snippets of information containing valid facts, biographies, and questions to spark discussion. D for Democracy is a unique tool that inspires students to act upon their rights and responsibilities as citizens.

[Romelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

D is for Democracy is a creative approach to teaching about American Government. At a word count of over 5500, this book is geared more for 4-8th graders, but can definitely benefit the young enthusiast. There is a rhyming verse for each letter of the alphabet followed by a sidebar of information expanding on the letter-topic such as immigration, taxes and government structure. Back matter include projects and tips to becoming active citizens. I highly recommend this book for every classroom library!

[Colleen Moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each letter of the alphabet represents something about the United States of America. It is a great book for a social studies class because it describes many important things about our government and country. I like how they found something for each letter in the alphabet because it is a good way to organize it and provide information. There are great illustrations and I think kids will enjoy reading this for class.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a great book to get children at a young age interested in the democracy and introduce them to the world of social studies in a easy to understand and read way. Using this book children can learn about democracy in such a way that they are able to get the foundation of democracy information they need to get interested. Every single alphabet letter has a key concept that democracy talks about, for instance V is for voting, D for democracy.. This picture book is amazing.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was awesome. It is very educational and has great details about all things Democracy. I has detailed facts from taxes to our founding fathers. The illustrations look like caricatures and depict real people in history. I think children would love this book.

[Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was alright. It explained everything from A to Z literally.They had plenty of picture that would catch many kids attention and talking about our Founding Fathers. It helped me learn a little more about our country. Even though it looks like a little kids book it really tells you a lot.

[Shelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

D is for Democracy is perfect addition to any elementary/middle school classroom when covering American Government. Each letter of the alphabet showcases our nations evolving system of government and is wonderful for class discussion starters.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Letters and good illustrations take one through the alphabet using words associated with Democracy. Sidebars used to help with explanations of chosen themes for each letter.

[Autumn Yoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great ABC book on the United States and the laws an history of the country. The book is quite advanced so I would recommend using it in a 5th grade class setting.

[Jacqueline Kendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book talks about different historical events using the alphabet. This is a great book for children who are just learning about major historical events of the United States.


history

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Educational, multicultural, and very neat illustrations. I bought my own copy.

[Carrie Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plan to use with fourth grade government unit of study.

[Nancy Neff]

Good overview for Democracy.

[Chrissy Wassinger]

Published 2006
Great informational book to read to your students about Democracy and the Government.
Can be used for all ages and in all classrooms.