The political elections are fast approaching and your child has certainly heard much about the Presidential nominees of both major parties. The process of how the national election is decided can be confusing, but I've gathered some outstanding books to help children understand – as well as some great books about the White House.

See How They Run, by Susan E. Goodman, and illustrated by Elwood H. Smith, is my pick for the most informative book about the elections! The lay-out is definitely “kid-friendly”, interesting and even funny, and the illustrations are cleverly placed throughout. If you have ever wondered how the Electoral College actually picks the President and not the popular vote, this is the book for you. The book starts out with a history of democracy, the framing of the major parties and then whisks you through the process of running for President. I love the ending where the emphasis is in involvement and shows how kids can become involved in government. There are also presidential facts and a helpful glossary located at the back of the book.

Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out, created by 108 renowned authors and illustrators and the National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance, is a wonderful book to fit into this election process since the winner of the election will end up living in this house. This beautifully illustrated and written book is rich in stories, some true and some fiction, that has to do with The White House. David McCullough has written an introduction that sets the tone for the rest of the book. And this large book is filled with writings from some of the best writers and illustrators of our time. This is one of those coffee table books that people of all ages will reach for and read!

Vote: by Eileen Christelow, is the quintessential summary of the first book I reviewed. This smallish book takes on the same task of voting but places two dogs and a cat in place of kids. They ask all of the confusing questions that need to be asked thereby clarifying the subject matter. This paperback has a comic book lay-out as well as a time-line in the back which is also very inviting to kids. This book is good for ages 8 and up.

First Kids: The True Stories of All the Presidents' Children, by thirteen-year-old Noah McCullough, highlights all of the 43 presidents' children and the many antics that some of them played while living in the White House. This book will surely bring to light that kids are kids no matter where they live!

Freshman for President, by Ally Condie, is a fiction book geared for all ages of teens and will surely help inform and excite them for when they can actually vote. Fifteen-year-old Milo has decided to run for the President of the United States as a write-in candidate. He wants attention brought to the forefront for America 's youth and decides this is the best way to go about it.

Vote 4 Amelia, by Marissa Moss, is another popular edition about Amelia geared for ages 9 through 12. Amelia soon learns that running for office at her school can cause some mean spiritedness and she must rise above the fray.

The rest of the books are picture books and are geared for younger children between the ages of 4 and 8, with the exception of the last book which is good for all ages. The Great White House Breakout, by Helen Thomas, and illustrated by Chip Bok, tells the tale of a fictionalized boy living at the White House but wanting to escape the Secret Service who are constantly with him. His escapades and antics get him into a bit of a bind that only the Oval Office can fix. LaRue for Mayor, by Mark Teague, is another dog tale by this acclaimed author and the story is told through Mr. Teague's signature style of writing letters. The canine, LaRue, is not happy with the current mayor's decisions of treating fun-loving dogs, so he decides to run for mayor. This humorous book will surely help the younger generation (ages 4 to 9) learn the election process in a very fun way. Gracie For President, by Kelly DiPcchio, and illustrated by LeUyen Pham, has Gracie deciding to run for president in her school's mock election but she has some difficulties when she realizes being a girl makes this process harder. The author's note at the back will help younger children understand the voting process more fully. Otto Runs For President, by Rosemary Wells, has Otto learning about elections. The popular kids are running, but seem more concerned about how they look than who and what they represent. So Otto runs and wins. But he soon finds out that actually becoming president is a lot of hard work. President Pennybaker, by Kate Feiffer, and illustrated by Diane Goode, tells of a young boy who decides to run for president in order to address homework, messy rooms and sleeping in late. The politics of this boy seems to cut across the lines of life in a most humorous way.

So You Want to Become President?, by Judith St. George, and illustrated by David Small, was first published eight years ago when it won the Caldecott award. The interesting and sometimes humorous diversity of facts about each president make this picture book a winner!