Educating through Stories
Nidhi Gaur
MINI’S FIRST VOTE by Shabnam Minwalla Pratham Books, 2021, 23 pp., 55.00
October 2022, volume 46, No 10

The book introduces children to the voting process in a democracy. Mini is a class VI student with a buzzing mind that runs in three directions at the same time. Now school elections are approaching and of the four candidates, Mini must vote for the one she thinks will be a good school captain. Everyone is encouraging Mini to decide on her own.

Mini’s First Vote tackles an important and a relevant issue by weaving a story around it. Barring a few minor improvements needed, the story is well written, and the characters are well-developed. But the writer not only gives away the end, she also doesn’t hide her preference for a particular candidate. She guides the reader to choose the ‘right’ candidate.

There are at least two approaches to storytelling in children’s literature. The first approach believes storytelling to be an effective medium to educate children. The second approach advocates telling a story for the pleasure of the reader and the writer.

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