Review by Booklist Review
Talk about timely. For those poor kids whose TV rooms have been invaded by bickering presidential contenders comes this sarcastic (but painfully true) distillation of the nomination process. A blue donkey and red elephant take up residence on either side of each spread and make their cases to the reader. Well, make their cases is a bit generous. They pander ( Yes, YOU with the great hair and that dazzling smile ), brag ( I'm a SUPER CUTE elephant ), bribe ( if you vote for ME, I'll give you a sucker ), and inflate their connection to the voter ( I know your friend's mother's aunt's gym teacher's pastor's duck-billed platypus. So, we're practically FAMILY ). Eventually, they go negative and sling mud literally while a tiny mouse, seen scurrying in the corners, walks away with the election as an independent. Obviously adults are going to get a kick out of this, but the Mo Willems-like presentation, clever coloring (when the candidates make up, the background becomes purple), and universal anti-arguing message will tickle future politicos, too.--Kraus, Daniel Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
It's a big election year, and Elephant and Donkey are pandering for votes. "Hey you! Yes, you with the great hair and that dazzling smile," says Donkey. "[I]f you pick me, I'll give you peanuts!" promises Elephant. But it doesn't take long for the candidates to forget about the voters and turn on each other ("Elephants don't stink!" "Well, you certainly do, you big, stinky pooper scooper"), resulting in both figurative and literal mudslinging. Unlike some grown-up candidates, Elephant and Donkey repair their friendship-just in time to realize that the voters have already moved on. First-time author Clanton renders his battling duo in the pencil-like grays and blacks of classic editorial cartoons (Donkey almost always appears on the left against a blue background, while Elephant is on the right against red). Even readers unfamiliar with the political process will understand the demands being made on their loyalty. For children getting their first taste of presidential politics in 2012, this is a worthwhile testimony to the current state of political discourse. Ages 4-8. Agent: Marietta Zacker, Nancy Gallt Literary Agency. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1--3--This bipartisan picture book by the author and illustrator of the popular "Narwhal and Jelly" series pokes fun of political campaigning. Donkey and Elephant both want the readers' votes and will do anything to get them. "Do you like CANDY? Because…if you vote for ME, I'll give you a sucker!" "You ARE a SUCKER if you vote for HIM." Flattery, arrogance, bribery, nepotism, mudslinging, and name-calling leave both candidates feeling hurt and regretful. In the end, they apologize and eagerly await the election results together. Imagine their surprise when the Independent Mouse steals the election. "I would like to thank the millions of mice who voted for me to become the Big Cheese." With a nod to Mo Willems's "Elephant & Piggie" books, color coding and large speech bubbles are utilized. Donkey sports a light blue background and bow tie while Elephant appears on a bright red background with a long red tie. After the two major candidates make up, they appear together on two lavender spreads. The victorious independent party is represented by yellow with straw hats, balloons, and of course, cheese. In the end, indignant Elephant demands a recount, and he and Donkey resume their arguing over which of the two was the obvious "BEST CHOICE." VERDICT This lighthearted look at an often serious, divisive subject will leave children and adults laughing and possibly questioning the election process itself.--Barbara Auerbach, Cairo Public Library, NY
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
In a series of self-aggrandizements and petty comebacks, Donkey and Elephant try to convince the reader to "Vote for me!" It's more a drawn-out quibble than a story--until a twist ending kids won't see coming. Adults will appreciate the underlying political joke, while children will appreciate the language ("nincompoop!" "smellypants!") and hilarious black-and-white drawings on rich blue or red backgrounds. (c) Copyright 2012. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Vote! (2003) if you want that 4-year-old to actually learn anything, though. An ever-timely message, told in (two) primary colors. (Picture book. 4-8)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
