Elizabeth Warren: Nevertheless, She Persisted












Written by Susan Wood
Illustrated by Sarah Green
Published August 7, 2018

Why we chose this book:
We live in Massachusetts, I respect Senator Warren, and I think it vital to learn about the political system from a young age. Abrams Books provided a review copy.

Mom's Review

A picture-book biography of Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Where to start? T and I have been reading this in the context of the upcoming election (I am posting this Nov. 6, but writing it beforehand). I usually shy away from posting anything overtly partisan. Today I diverge from that path. T's dad and I speak openly with T about our thoughts on different political figures, whom we will vote for, and with whom we are displeased. We read Elizabeth Warren as a family, discussing why we agree with her policies, why we will vote for her, and what we think she should focus on in the future. The overarching message is that Elizabeth Warren persists in following her dreams and fighting for what she believes in. Back matter elaborates on events in Sen. Warren's life, including the controversy surrounding her Native American heritage.

I loved this book for several reasons, none of which actually have to do with specific politics. First and foremost, this is the story of a resourceful person solving her problems effectively and efficiently. Second, it is the story of a woman who did not allow men to determine her fate at a time when women could easily expect men to do so. Third, the author narrates a prominent person's life in a way that is both interesting and understandable to a young audience. The biography begins with Elizabeth's early childhood and follows her to the moment when she was told to stop reading Coretta Scott King's letter. From grade school when her father suffered a heart attack, to high school where she found debate club, to college where she married and had a child, to her time as a homemaker with one child, then to law school, and finally to the Senate, Wood describes the events in Elizabeth Warren's life, and Green depicts them in vivid, engaging details that interested T and sparked conversation for our family.

Son's Review
(Age 3 and 1/2)
While reading: 
Son: Hey, she doesn't think this is fair and Ruth Bader Ginsburg doesn't think this is fair!

Mom: What isn't fair?

Son: That girls don't get to be judges. It's like the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Book!
(We were reading the page where no one wants to hire Elizabeth Warren to work as a lawyer. We have read I Dissent! several times - you might recall our review.)

Mom: Do you think it is fair that nobody hired her after she had a baby?

Son: Not fair because nobody wanted her to work for the other people.

Mom: What would be fair?

Son: If girls were allowed to be judges.
_______________________________________________
Mom, reading: "Laws had become lopsided in favor of big banks, business, and people who already had a lot of money. Elizabeth didn't think this was fair." What do you think?

Son: I think that is not fair either because the rich is taking money from the poor.

Mom: Whom do you think the laws should help?

Son: The poor because they have no money to pay...to pay for food and toys and everything. For cars and their house.

After reading:
Mom: What might you say to Elizabeth Warren if you could meet her?

Son: It's a good thing to share. And it's so nice to make friends.

Mom: Would you ask her anything?

Son: Why did she become poor? And why did she have to babysit?
(We reviewed this part of the book and discussed it again after this question.)

Son: We should write her a letter.

Mom: What should we write about?

Son: To see if she's doing a good job.

Mom: She wants to help people. Is there something you think she should be helping with?

Son: The tears.
(T has been responding to "No" with tears recently.)

Mom: What was the most interesting thing you learned? Where did you get that idea?

Son: That it is a good thing to give roses to your mom and dad. That's just an idea I found.
(Maybe from the description and depiction of the roses Elizabeth's mother grew? I'm still wondering about this one.)

Mom: What is the most important thing to know? What's the most lovely part?

Son: That it's a lovely book. The most lovely part is the babysitting part.

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