New Children's Book "Kwame Votes" Teaches the Importance of Voting

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Dec. 16, 2021 - PRLog -- Dr. Artika Tyner has written a new children's book, "Kwame Votes." It features a boy named Kwame learning about the importance of exercising the right to vote and community engagement from his elders. The book was made possible through the support of the Ramsey County Election Office.

"This is part of my Leader's Journey 365 work," said Tyner. "We are taking an intergenerational approach to leadership development and civic engagement."

Leaders Journey 365 (https://www.ppgj.org/) (LJ365) is an organization created by Tyner, who is civil rights attorney and leadership scholar. LJ365 is committed to developing leaders, building strong communities, and empowering individuals to make an impact on the world. The organization trains, equips, and motivates leaders to make a difference now and in the future.

In Tyner's upcoming book, Kwame votes in his school's student government election. Upon arriving home, he discovers that his family is getting ready to be part of Election Day. The family discusses how voting for a specific leader can affect the environment, healthcare, and education in their very own community.

As they set out to the polling place, Kwame sees his mother acting as an election judge, accompanies his grandmother throughout the entire voting process, and sees how she proudly wears her "I Voted" sticker. His grandmother explains that because of voting, public officials can be held accountable for their actions. He learns that people can communicate their opinion on solving community problems.

Adults are role models for their children and grandchildren. Children learn from the adults in their life and tend to do the same things that were important to their elders. According to political scientist, Mark N. Franklin, retired emeritus professor at Trinity College in CT, young people that don't vote in the first three elections for which they're eligible are more likely not to vote for the rest of their life.

Tyner's new book "Kwame Votes" is a perfect example of children learning from their families about the importance of voting, how it affects their communities, and how it can be a source of change. The book is a fun and informative way to teach youth about voting and civic engagement.