Do your kids understand what voting is? Do they know how the government and voting are connected? 

Recently, I took my daughter to Mike's Maze and the theme of this year's maze is "VOTE." At the Maze they included many basic questions and it was eye-opening for me to realize how little my own kid knew.  Luckily, I remembered that I had illustrated the perfect book, When You Grow Up to Vote, to help explain.

And then I realized that if my daughter had these questions, other kids probably did too!

So, if you feel like you might want a little help explaining to your kids about voting and the government, this newsletter is for YOU!
Explaining to Kids About Voting: Video


My daughter had  three important and basic questions she needed answered:
  • What is government? 
  • What exactly is voting? 
  • How does government and voting connect?
With the help of Michelle Markel, the co-author/updater of When You Grow Up To Vote,  these questions (and more) were answered in this video!

Feel free to share this video with your own kids and their teachers! Kids need to know all of this for when they grow up to vote!

 BIG Book Giveaway! 


I want to give you this book!  Would you like it? This is how you can get it:

1. Share Your Voting Plan 

On the social media  platform of your choice (facebook, instagram or twitter), share your voting plan.

This can be as simple as: "My voting plan is to send in my absentee ballot." or  more detailed: "My voting plan is to go on Nov 3rd. I have 3 audio books downloaded so I have something to listen to if I have to wait in line."

Or if you have already voted, share your voting experience: "I voted early, the line was short!" or "I waited 3 hours to vote but it was worth it."

2. Tag Me
Tag me on your social media post so that I see it!

My facebook handle is: @AuthorGraceLin
My instagram/twitter handle is :@pacylin

3. Use the hashtag #WhenYouPlanToVote
Hashtag your post #WhenYouPlanToVote so that I can easily locate your entry.

And wait to see if I contact you to send you a book! I am giving away
two books a day until Election Day, so your chances are pretty good! Feel free to post your voting plan everyday!  And please spread the word!*

*Please do spread the word. I truly want to encourage everyone to plan to vote and to follow through.  I'm hoping if we all collectively continue to keep the voting in the forefront of everyone's minds, we will have the voter turn-out that is actually representative of our country. 


Printable Signs for Kids 

I also made some 8.5x11 posters to hang and to help explain the voting process to kids! I hope this helps caregivers and teachers explain the voting process to their kids (and a good reminder to all adults to remember to vote)!
 

        Download the poster HERE! 
    
          Download the poster HERE! 
Postcards to Voters
If your child is older, here's a great activity to demonstrate activism. Join Postcards To Voters and write postcards together! While my daughter's handwriting is not yet up for postcard-writing level, she enjoys sticking on the stamps and putting them in the mailbox.  Try it! 

And if you need postcards, I've got you covered:



I made click and print postcards! These 4 Postcards on 8.5 x11 use the Avery label 8387 template for your convenience OR you can copy/paste this single postcard image and place it in a postcard template of your choice!
 
The Vote! Episode

Book Friends Forever Podcast
For the adults interested in the lives of book creators,  Alvina and I did an entire episode on voting on the Book Friends Forever podcast!
We discuss our experiences voting, including the first time we voted in a presidential election, and how we're helping to get out the vote in 2020! Listen on Bookfriendsforever.com!

Other Resources 

Here are some great reminders from Acetheelection.org!

Prepare to Vote: 
Protect Your Rights: 
Vote By Mail: 
You can find other helpful information at vote.org 
Donate! at voteriders.org

 
and don't forget about...
Show young children that math is more than numbers with these four board books (when you hit the link, scroll down to see all four)! 
I'm so excited that these books are now in the world. What Will Fit? has received 3 starred reviews and I recently answered 5 Questions about them in the Horn Book. 
I'm now offering school visits via zoom! I revamped my presentations so they work better in a virtual format with interactive drawing breaks and an introduction to my chickens! Contact Aimee to schedule one today!!

Because of demand, free 10 minute visits are only scheduled once a month. 
outtake of our video (one of the hundred times she couldn't resist making a face!)

That's it! Will see you on the other side of the election with my holiday newsletter! I hope we feel like celebrating!

Don't forget to VOTE!

Best Wishes,

Grace Lin
author/illustrator

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