[UPDATE] View the recording of the Meet and Greet here!
Calling All Future Voters! A meet-and-greet to engage young future voters this election season
Event Date & Time: September 5, 2024 | 12 pm - 1 pm PST/3 pm - 4 pm EST
Location: https://us05web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwvduisqzMjGtKpecZ5i_NtRQTbJO5tTtOX
Event Overview
Join us for an engaging and informative session where educators and librarians can meet the authors of Gloo Books' forthcoming children's book Calling All Future Voters! This event is a unique opportunity to delve into the importance of voting, explore creative ways to teach children about civic engagement, and discover how this book can be a valuable resource in your classrooms and libraries.
What to Expect
- Meet the Authors: Hear directly from the minds behind Calling All Future Voters! and learn about their inspiration, research, and the message they hope to convey through their book.
- Edward A. Hailes Jr.: Eddie is an experienced civil rights attorney and an ordained Baptist minister. He recently retired from his position as the Managing Director and General Counsel for Advancement Project, a national, policy and legal action group that creates strategies for achieving universal opportunity and a racially just democracy.
- Jennifer Lai-Peterson: Jen is a civil rights attorney, legal strategist, and movement lawyer. A litigator and former union and community organizer, Jen served for nearly eight years as senior attorney in the Power and Democracy Program at Advancement Project where she focused on the federal Right to Vote Initiative as well as state-based voting rights restoration efforts.
- Laura Atkins: Laura is a children's book author, editor, teacher, and the director of the Manzanita Children’s Book Community. She co-wrote Fred Korematsu Speaks Up, winner of several awards including the Carter G. Woodson Award and the Jane Addams Honor Award. She and co-author Stan Yogi have spoken to over 8,000 students at over 50 schools. She also co-wrote Biddy Mason Speaks Up with poet Arisa White, which won a Nautilus and Independent Publisher Book Award.
- Interactive Q&A Session: Have questions about voting, civic responsibility, or how to effectively introduce these topics to young learners? The authors will be available to answer your questions and discuss fun and practical ways to engage kids in conversations about democracy.
- Educational Insights: Discover how you can integrate the themes of the book into your curriculum or library activities. From holding mock elections to coloring sheets, access materials and information to bring voting to life for children.
Who Should Attend?
This event is perfect for:- Educators: Teachers looking for innovative ways to introduce the concept of voting and civic duty to their students this fall.
- Librarians: Librarians who want to incorporate more civic-minded activities and discussions into their programs.
- Community Leaders: Individuals interested in promoting civic education and engagement within their communities and youth.
Why Attend?
- Gain exclusive insights from the authors on the creation of Calling All Future Voters!
- Learn practical tips and strategies for teaching kids about voting and democracy.
- Connect with other educators and librarians passionate about civic education.
- Take home resources and ideas that you can immediately implement in your educational settings.
How to Register
Click the link below to RSVP!
Register Now: https://us05web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwvduisqzMjGtKpecZ5i_NtRQTbJO5tTtOX
About the book:
The kids of the E-Squad afterschool troop are working on their newest project: voting. But as they conduct a survey in their neighborhood, they realize that voting isn’t easy for everyone, and that many are still fighting for the right to vote. Guided by Mama Cheryl, a seasoned voting rights advocate, the kids learn about the importance of voting and its impact on their community. Determined to help, the E-Squad mobilizes people to vote and discovers how their collective action can make a difference.
Calling All Future Voters! explores the history of voting rights and highlights our country's ongoing struggle for a more inclusive democracy. Blending narrative and educational content, this book is a call to action encouraging readers (young and old) to understand their rights and responsibilities in a democracy.
“This is amazing. Too often discussions about civic engagement for kids are limited to oversimplified if not condescending admonitions. Calling All Future Voters candidly addresses not only the checkered history of voting rights in this country, but also the enduring and newly erected barriers to participation today. And most importantly, how we can fight for a better future. Not just a call to vote, but a call to action.”
—Innosanto Nagara, author and illustrator of A is for Activist and Oh, the Things We’re For!
Contact Us:
For any questions or additional information, please contact Karen Chan at karen@gloobooks.com
