Kids can vote for favorite storybook character

It's election time! While the campaigning and political wrangling are underway for the grown-ups, children are beginning an election of their own at Anderson's Bookshops locations in Naperville, Downers Grove and LaGrange.

Beginning Tuesday, Aug. 2, each store will become the campaign headquarters for a particular children's book character. The campaign will run through Tuesday, Nov. 1.

"We hope to raise awareness and inform our youngest Americans about the election process and that it can be friendly and fun," said Beth Thrall, children's book coordinator. "This event is designed to be very approachable and hands-on for our early readers."

The great book character election campaign kicks off at 11 a.m. Aug. 2 with a story time and an announcement of the candidates. Young voters will help promote their favorite candidates through a series of fun family activities including campaign work days for making posters, political fliers and endorsement window signs. The candidates' campaign managers will be out on tour, and will stop by each Anderson's Bookshop for campaign rallies. Political debates will be set for each candidate to express their platforms. All details will be included on Anderson's Bookshops' website, andersonsbookshop.com.

Early voting for each candidate will take the form of a book purchase featuring that character. Two votes will be counted per book purchase during the entire campaign period, Aug. 2 to Nov. 1. Single voting via paper ballot runs Thursday though Saturday, Oct. 27 to 29. The winning candidate will be announced Wednesday, Nov. 2.

Campaign activities will take place at all three locations: 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville, (630) 355-2665; 5112 Main St., Downers Grove, (630) 963-2665; and 26 S. LaGrange Road, LaGrange, (708) 582-6353.