What Is Government?

Children's Literature - Melissa A. Brown

This book explains that the government is "the people in charge of our country." It explains the difference between community, state, and federal government and shows examples of how the government benefits us all. Attractive, large, color photographs portray citizens of many different cultural backgrounds; however, there are no pictures of people with disabilities. There is a page devoted to Washington, D. C., as the nation's capital. There is a brief and simple explanation of the three branches of government at the back of the book as well as a glossary (including the terms communities, state government, and federal government) and an index. This is an easy to understand introduction to one aspect of the American government for children in grades kindergarten through second. This book is last in a series of six. The books in the series all work together to reinforce ideas and terminology that might be new to younger readers and learners.