Election Day is a celebration day, no matter when or where you vote, no matter whom you’re voting for.
Every four years, we get to live out the instructions from Article II of the U.S. Constitution and choose a president. Well, we vote for a candidate, and “Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress …”
In other words, our individual votes are counted so that electors from the Electoral College can cast votes. (Texas gets 40 votes this year.) The process is a little confusing, continually controversial and somewhat tricky to explain to children.
I love the picture book Grace for President because it both explains the Electoral College and shares the spirit of celebration inherent in a free and fair election. The 2008 book, written by Kelly DiPucchio and illustrated by LeUyen Pham, tells the story of Grace, an elementary school student who realizes that no woman has ever been president of the United States. She declares that she would like to be president, and her teacher runs with the idea. The school sponsors an election between Grace and a peer, Thomas, from a neighboring classroom.
There are no political parties in the story — just the age-old rivalry between girls and boys.
Months and months before we knew who would be running for president this November, folks at the Dallas Children’s Theater selected the musical adaptation of Grace for President to open its 2024-2025 season.
“It’s the perfect time to have a story that talks about elections for kids,” said Samantha Turner, executive director of the Dallas Children’s Theater. “This production is not about supporting a particular candidate or position. It’s just to support knowledge of the election.”
The production includes musical lessons in democracy, with nods to the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Founding Fathers and, yes, the Electoral College. It also shares insight into how campaigns run — pulling together a platform of issues, listening to voters, making promises, trading (mild-mannered) insults and even counting votes before they’re cast.
“Let’s be honest, many of us adults get lost in the Electoral College and popular vote discussion,” Turner said. “Arming kids with information about that can’t hurt. The more kids are informed about what’s happening, the more they are prepared to understand what’s going on or ask questions.”
And while I don’t want to spoil the ending, the title offers a clue of who earns the requisite 270 electoral votes. “If [the story] takes any sort of position, it just shows that girls can do things that maybe they hadn’t thought they could do,” Turner said.
As a veteran mom with fond memories of Dallas Children’s Theater productions, I know the best part about seeing shows with your kids is the discussion on the way home (or over ice cream before you get home). What did you notice? What made you laugh? Which character was your favorite?
And after a show that teaches so much about the voting process, there are even more opportunities to extend the conversation. Which issues matter to you? What qualities do you look for in a leader? How do you decide whom you can trust?
“We encourage children and families to discuss what they saw and answer questions so they can talk about anything that is a family perspective among themselves,” Turner said.
Family conversations about democracy, voting and Election Day — that’s something to celebrate.
Grace for President
Dallas Children’s Theater, 5938 Skillman St., Dallas
214-740-0051
Performances Sept. 28-Oct. 20
Tickets $20-$35
Arrive up to one hour early for child-friendly election activities, including a scavenger hunt and arts and crafts.
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