BuzzFlash Reviews
Why Daddy is a Democrat
By Jeremy Zilber, Illustrated by Yuliya Firsova
BUZZFLASH REVIEWS
Hundreds of BuzzFlash readers have ordered "Why Mommy is a Democrat" and shared the instructive and heartwarming tale with children in their lives.
Zilber knows how to write for young kids, but still make adult Democrats feel good about progressive values -- and the color illustrations are full of wonderful, friendly animals.
Zilber is doing what progressives need to do to convey inclusive values, creating stories that convey compassion and the politics of caring.
Zilber was inspired by a John F. Kennedy quotation: "Whether they be young in spirit, or young in age, the members of the Democratic Party must never lose that youthful zest for new ideas and for a better world, which has made us great."
The book is meant as a short simple nighttime tale with colorful illustrations. It's straightforward, clear, and with color images that are an imaginative delight.
From Jeremy Zilber:
"Why Mommy is a Democrat and Why Daddy is a Democrat bring to life the core values of the Democratic party in ways that young children will easily understand and thoroughly enjoy. Using plain and non-judgmental language, along with warm and whimsical illustrations, these colorful 28-page paperbacks depict the Democratic principles of fairness, tolerance, peace, equality, and concern for the well-being of others. The books can also serve as kid-friendly introductions to important social and political issues. They're a great way for parents to gently communicate their commitment to Democratic principles while helping children begin to make sense of the complex world around them."
About Jeremy Zilber:
"I've known I was a Democrat ever since I was about 6 years old, when my parents agreed to host a fundraiser for presidential candidate George McGovern. They never told me that I should be a Democrat, but they explained why they were supporting the Democratic candidate in that election, and I'm grateful they did. My early exposure to partisan politics sparked a lasting interest in political issues and American government, and by the time I entered college, I was already a political activist.
After receiving a degree in government from Oberlin College and a Ph.D. in political science from Ohio State University, I spent the next ten years teaching American government and politics. Although I was teaching at some of the country's best colleges, it was apparent that most of my students knew very little about their government or the people who ran it. Sure, they'd all learned a few basic facts in high school, but most of them didn't really understand how the political system worked, or why anyone should really care about it. Even more troubling was the fact that many of them seemed perfectly content (and often determined) to remain as politically uninformed and uninvolved as possible.
While I never conducted any formal surveys of my students, it was clear that most of the politically active ones had been raised by parents who weren't afraid to talk about politics around their kids. And my personal experiences merely confirmed what researchers have known for decades: children raised in households in which politics is a frequent topic of discussion are most likely to become politically active adults.
Given my strong desire to see more Americans take an active interest in politics -- and especially an interest in the Democratic Party -- I self-published Why Mommy is a Democrat in November of 2005. The response has been simply fantastic. With over 25,000 copies sold in the first two years, Why Mommy is a Democrat is already one of the most successful self-published children's books of all time. Encouraged by the book's success, I self-published Why Daddy is a Democrat in 2007. Both books reflect my passion for progressive politics, my sense of humor, and my academic training in fields such as political psychology and socialization.
Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, I currently live in Madison, Wisconsin, with my partner Julia, her daughter Isabella (age eight), and our cat Zach -- all lifelong Democrats."
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