Happy Inauguration Day! If you’re a grownup reading this, I’m sending you a virtual cheers with a glass of champagne and Katy Perry’s fireworks on in the background!
The youngest Americans have some great picture books to get to know President Biden and Vice President Harris. These books make great gifts for anyone celebrating while social distancing!
Some of the links below are to Amazon or Bookshop, and I may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Bookshop supports local bookstores, so you can feel good about spending dollars there. But as always, check your local library first!
Picture Books for Getting To Know President Biden and Vice President Harris
Champ and Major: First Dogs by Joy McCullough and illustrated by Sheyda Abvabi Best is my favorite book on this list for the 2-5 age group. I LOVE this book! “Major doesn’t need lessons on how to be a good friend” awww don’t you just want to meet this dog? This book introduces President Biden’s job through the lens of his pups, including the first rescue dog in the White House. This book is new and tough to get quickly (I hear Powell’s has some), so to tide you over here’s a great read aloud with the Joy McCullough on YouTube.
Joey: The Story of Joe Biden is a lovely get-to-know you about President Biden’s childhood. Written by Dr. Jill Biden with support from Kathleen Krull, and illustrated by Amy June Bates. It reads a bit campaign-y at the moment, but that feeling could melt as the chaotic days of the 2020 election slip into history. I personally love the part about standing up to bullies.
Dr. Biden is also the author of Don’t Forget, God Bless Our Troops, a sweet story of a little girl finding ways to connect with her dad while he’s at war. It was inspired by their granddaughter’s experiences. Illustrated by Raúl Colón.
Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Laura Freeman is absolutely gorgeous. I could get lost in the words and pictures for days. A perfect book for anyone who has taken (or plans to take) your little ones to marches and other civic participation. That’s how Vice President Harris got her start! A good book to give as a gift or to have on your shelf to reference over time, as the text is again a bit much to take in all at once for the preschoolers (but very inspiring when read in pieces).
Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea is the an energizing book about Kamala Harris and her sister Maya Harris doing some creative problem solving to get a playground built. Written by Meena Harris (daughter of Maya) and illustrated by Ana Ramírez González. Great for preschool! A read aloud with author Maya Harris is available on YouTube.
Superheroes Are Everywhere by Kamala Harris and illustrated by Mechal Renee Roe is the must have book here. It’s just so good. It’s a bit long for our preschooler so we pick bits and pieces with each reading. The message, that you can be a superhero too, comes out loud and clear no matter how you read it. I’d suggest this for the Kindergarten crowd.
Bonus: Amanda Gordon has a children’s book! She is the first U.S. National Youth Poet Laureate and new owner of our hearts after reciting her poem The Hill We Climb at the inauguration. I couldn’t preorder fast enough! Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem is available on Amazon and Bookshop.
Double bonus: Do you remember Brayden Harris, the 13 year old who introduced Joe Biden at the Democratic National Convention in 2020? Brayden won so many hearts that day when he told the story of his own experiences with stuttering, and how Vice President Biden had become a friend and inspiration. Brayden has his own children’s book coming out! Brayden Speaks Up is scheduled to come out August 10, 2021.
Looking for more? See if you can check off all 100 Children’s Books to Read in 2021!