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The topic of democracy was planned at this point on the occasion of this year's election campaigns.
The selection recommended here seemed to explain things that were taken for granted in my life in simple terms.
In the face of war and more and more people voting out democratic values, these children's books are becoming ambassadors of peace that you want to hang on every door handle.
Politics isn't just something adults understand.
Even children know strife and injustice.
Even on a small scale, we need rules for peaceful coexistence.
The books for the youngest start with this realization.
There are a number of titles that explain the concepts and processes of a democratic order to children and young people.
Some novels tell of other social orders.
What would life be like without rules?
The best-known young adult novel that explores this mind game is probably »Lord of the Flies«.
It is about group dynamics and power struggles in a group of children and young people who are left to their own devices and have to survive on an island.
Also interesting, but a bit old-fashioned, is the story »Timpetill«, in which the parents leave town to punish their children.
In a democracy, it is not the law of the strongest that applies, but compromise.
So it's no wonder that the two picture books presented here are set in the jungle and the lion is portrayed as hungry for power.
Also on offer: a clear information book on the subject of democracy and tips for better arguing.
All are important
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Katja Reider
Be the ruler: How Elvis invented democracy
Illustration: Cornelia Haas
Publisher: Carl Hanser
Number of pages: 24
Illustration: Cornelia Haas
Publisher: Carl Hanser
Number of pages: 24
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A gentle introduction to politics for the youngest.
Katja Reider's sweeping rhymes fit perfectly into the lively jungle pictures by illustrator Cornelia Haas.
The annoying bickering of the animals over coconuts and water points is familiar from family life.
What's going on here?
The lion thinks he is the ruler.
Mistake.
The other animals are also part of the habitat, and they all contribute to a good whole with their skills.
That's why they want to have a say.
The Zoff doesn't end until meerkat Elvis has had enough and proposes elections.
Once the winners have been determined, they are told what the goal of their work should be: the happiness of those they represent.
Best time to read:
Election Sunday.
Recommended age:
from 4 years.
The art of arguing
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Sandra Grimm
Why is there an argument?
A picture book for ages 3 and up about arguing and contracting
Illustration: Lena Ellermann
Publisher: Carlsen
Number of pages: 32
Illustration: Lena Ellermann
Publisher: Carlsen
Number of pages: 32
Buy for €15.00
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It is said that there are arguments in the best of families.
And that the smarter give in.
But these sayings don't really help.
With this book, families or classes can look behind their own scenes, understand the reasons for discord, find a compromise - and quickly make up.
What's going on here?
Disputes are presented in large scenic images and the feelings of those involved are explored.
From these insights you can develop a culture of argument and practice contracting.
The solutions for particularly bad cases and quarreling adults are also interesting.
Best reading time:
Before it crashes again.
Recommended age:
from 4 years.
Animal Campaign
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Larissa Ribeiro, André Rodrigues, Paula Desgualdo, Pedro Markun
Voting in the jungle: That's how democracy works
Translation: Lea Huebner
Illustration: Larissa Ribeiro, André Rodrigues
Publisher: Prestell
Number of pages: 48
Translation: Lea Huebner
Illustration: Larissa Ribeiro, André Rodrigues
Publisher: Prestell
Number of pages: 48
Buy for €15.00
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This Brazilian picture book was created in workshops with children and offers a great introduction to making politics understandable to small children.
In the course of the story all important terms of an election campaign are explained.
It differs from the other picture book because it is also interesting for older children.
Good preparation for young Democrats.
What's going on here?
Thinking of himself as the king of the jungle, the lion diverts the river water to his pool.
An impudence!
The other animals demand a democratic decision on who should be queen or king and organize elections with posters and discussions.
The explanations given by the four candidates make it clear how different their goals and motives are.
Just like in real life.
Best time to read:
Before studying the party programs.
Recommended age:
from 5 years.
The Democracy Handbook
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Sarah Welk
How you can change the world: Whether family, school or the whole country - this is how democracy works
Illustration: Dunja Schnabel
Publisher: arsEdition
Number of pages: 128
Illustration: Dunja Schnabel
Publisher: arsEdition
Number of pages: 128
Buy for €10.00
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The table of contents is reminiscent of a textbook, but the texts are written much more vividly and interestingly.
So I wish it was one.
A complex topic like politics cannot do without long passages of text.
This one has an airy design, has different text forms and offers an introduction in many places, depending on what is of interest at the time.
What's going on here?
The journalist Sarah Welk explains the history, structures and processes of democracy using many concrete hooks.
It is aimed directly at children and shows what opportunities they have for participation in school, for example.
But Welk also takes a look at the adults who don't follow the rules in Switzerland, where voting takes place on the market square, and reveals what happens in the voting booth.
In this way she shows how our democracy works on a large and small scale and, through this knowledge, empowers the children to actively participate themselves.
Best reading time:
I want to change something.
Recommended age:
from 10 years - preferably older.
Apple of discord and quarrel
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Christina Dumas
Arguing for beginners: A book about bickering and making up
Illustration: Ina Worms
Publisher: Annette Betz in Ueberreuter Verlag
Number of pages: 32
Illustration: Ina Worms
Publisher: Annette Betz in Ueberreuter Verlag
Number of pages: 32
Buy for €14.95
price query time
05/15/2022 6:56 p.m
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Another picture book about arguing, but this one is a little more well-behaved and doesn't reflect quite as profoundly as the first.
Instead, other aspects are considered.
For example, the Greeks had a quarrelsome goddess named Erin, and men dueled each other over incredible frills to end an argument or respond to an insult.
What's going on here?
Arguing happens quickly.
It is often about possession, advantages or insults.
This book describes typical arguments (and what people really mean), but also looks back into the history of bickering.
In addition, professions are presented that can help with arbitration.
Best time to read:
Maybe I'll be a mediator?
Recommended age:
from 5 years.
