Reading widely is a political act, because listening is the foundation of all good politics. If the idea of democracy is that a few people represent the needs of a group…how is that possible without listening to the experiences and needs of others? Reading helps us to tap into diverse perspectives from across cultural, demographic and geographic divides and from outside of our immediate circles.

In How To Be A Revolutionary Natalie decides she wants to change the world, inspired by the adults who are using her house as a campaign HQ during a general election. She convinces one of them to make her a “Revolutionary-in-Training”, but to her surprise one of the first tasks he sets her is to read a work of fiction a week. Because that’s where it starts: understanding the lives and needs of people with different experiences to you. In a school council, representatives know they can’t just fight for what they want, but for all their classmates… so first they have to understand them.

Of course, books can help with more than just that, they can also be practical guides, contain inspiring stories or just offer visions of the world that prove why political engagement is so vital. So, here is a booklist of just a few of the many great titles, for all ages, that encourage children along that journey…

Picture Books

It may seem strange to think about political books for toddlers, but little ones are so bursting with curiosity about the world it’s a lovely opportunity to foster an inclusive world view. These books are also reaching them directly from the mouths they trust the most, so the messages shared at this age are all the more important.

It’s a great time to demonstrate, through story, the wonderful diversity of the world they live in, and there are a wealth of picture books that show different cultures, abilities, communities, families and sexualities. I also love these two books…

What The Crow Saw Below by Robert Tregonning, illustrated by Greg Stobbs

On one level this is a fun, rhyming animal story with gorgeous artwork, but it also has an incredibly bold message about questioning perceived wisdom, thinking for yourself, being open minded and choosing hope over fear. The young crow of the title rejects their elders’ insistence that all other species are a threat and they must stay in their familiar bubble. The changing colours and opening imagery reflects the beauty of broadening your experience and accepting others.  What a great message to start life with!

Nen and the Lonely Fisherman by Ian Eagleton, illustrated by James Mayhew

So many of our prejudices are ingrained through social conditioning at an early age that it’s vital to have a wide range of stories available as a child forms their idea of what the world looks like. This book is a beautiful and captivating fairy tale that shows the tender connection between a merman and a lonely fisherman in a gentle retelling of The Little Mermaid. The writing is lyrical, the illustrations are sumptuous and it also hints at ways to protect our oceans.

Early Non-Fiction

As children reach primary age, their curiosity about the world spills over. So many facts get absorbed at this age, so it’s the perfect time to devour some non-fiction that shines a light on how politics works in the real world…

How to Change the World by Rashmi Sirdeshpande, illustrated by Annabel Tempest

This book provides a wonderful snapshot of 15 world-changing movements, from a singing festival that led to Estonian independence to the abolition of slavery; the construction of the International Space Station to the ongoing fight for global marriage equality. The focus is on how movements build with collaboration and perseverance over time and is full of fascinating and inspiring stories.

Why Politics Matters by Alastair Campbell

This is a great summary of how political systems work in the UK. It explains who the decision makers are in the country, including the role of The House of Commons, The House Of Lords, the monarch and local councils — all written in a straightforward and sensible way. It also includes suggestions for what children can do to get involved, like learning to debate, starting a school council or writing to their local councillor or MP.

9+ Fiction

This is my favourite age group for political fiction, not only because it’s where How To Be A Revolutionary fits, but also because this is the age where children can really get lost in stories as the whole world opens up to them. A passion for exploring life through stories that starts at this age can last a lifetime. Some fantasy books create wonderful alternative systems of government as part of their worldbuilding, that can provide a fascinating reflection of our own government — but these books below address political issues more directly and are some of my favourites…

The Soup Movement by Ben Davis

An absolutely brilliant and heartrending story built around a challenge to do as many small acts of kindness as possible in a year and seeing how the world changes. I challenge you to read this book without both shedding a tear and committing to be actively kinder in every day life. The story is about a cancer surviver who starts a homeless charity and fights the local council — it might not sound it, but it’s also properly funny. 

No Man's Land by Joanna Nadin

This wonderful book is set in an alternative present where most of Britain is ruled by a far right party — who’ve renamed it Albion — and is on the brink of war with Europe. Told from the perspective of ten year-old Alan, the narrative focusses on Alan’s desire to be a hero while he tries to untangle the information of who are the good guys and who are the bad guys. Really thought provoking. 

A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll

A brilliant political campaign in action! Addie wants to erect a monument to the women who were killed as witches in her Scottish hometown. The plight of these misunderstood 16th Century women is also used as a prism through which to view Addie’s own treatment as an autistic person in the present day.

Fallout by Lesley Parr

This book features a group protesting against nuclear weapons during the 1980s, including a very cool kid campaigner called Emma, but that’s not why it’s on the list. The main character is a kid from a bad family and everyone expects the worst from him because of his family’s reputation…even the adults. It helps kids understand what may be behind some of their classmates’ less perfect behaviour, and to make them question if they judge others fairly or with prejudice.

How To Be A Revolutionary by Lucy Ann Unwin

This is my book, but I’m still including it on the list! It’s about a girl called Natalie whose house gets taken over by lots of mysterious adults during a general election. She learns they’re trying to change the world and decides she wants in, inspiring her classmates with a slightly disastrous plan to combat prejudice against her favourite animal: rats.

Teen Reads

Older reads can tackle more immediate and upsetting world events, although still in a wonderfully accessible and gentle way for child readers.

Boy, Everywhere by A.M.Dassu

Seeing refugees for their basic humanity shouldn’t be political, but sadly it is. While mainstream political parities try to ‘other’ immigrants, understanding the similarities between ourselves and the people they’re talking about feels essential. This fantastic book tells the tale of Playstation-playing, football-obsessed Sami, who  — when he leaves war-torn Syria  — is as concerned about his new Nikes as he is with the prospect of having to cross the sea in an unsafe boat. We go on his journey with him, through refugee detention centres in the UK to his attempts to settle in Manchester. He’s a lovely character and it’s an eye-opening but gentle read.

Make It Happen by Amika George

A non-fiction book this time, this one is written by Amika George who started the Free Periods movement that secured free period products in UK schools. Amika started the campaign after she read an article about girls in this country missing days of education because they couldn’t afford sanitary protection. It is written as a practical guide to youth campaigning and activism from choosing your cause, online activism, organising protests and staying positive.

When Fascism Arrives as Your Friend by Michael Rosen

This is classed as one of Michal Rosen’s adult poems, but teens can easily appreciate and understand it. It brutally and succinctly describes how easily fascism can take hold, with an abrupt ending that leaves a void to fill with your own reflections.

Mum Does The Washing by Joshua Idehen

I thought I’d finish on something a bit different: a song! This hilarious and irreverent song provides a humorous summary of world political ideologies all seen in relation to the laundry pile!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this political booklist, and it helps you to discover some brilliant new reads — and maybe even inspires you to join the revolution and change the world!