Blogger School-Age Programs and Service Committee

Practicing Politics: Nonpartisan Book Displays

There’s a scene in the cult film Little Miss Sunshine where an endearingly dysfunctional family is driving cross-country to a beauty pageant. At one point the alleged grown-ups get into a heated argument about adult life-style choices. Young Olive, our seven-year-old heroine, is blissfully tuned into her music, but sensing the rising tension, pulls off her headphones and wants to know what everybody’s yelling about. After a moment of adult topic-inspired hesitation, Grandpa comes up with a one-word response: Politics. Thoroughly disinterested, and slightly disgusted, Olive returns to her music. Would that all of us could so effortlessly dismiss this loaded subject. However, we live in interesting times, and no matter where people fall on the political spectrum, we all face a never-ending barrage of media coverage about government actions and our elected officials. Some adults may think children are impervious, but kids can be pretty savvy. They certainly hear…