Mary Jane McKittrick releases election-day eBook for kids

Former TV journalist and children’s author Mary Jane McKittrick has released Boomer and Halley Election Day: A Town Votes for Civic Responsibility as an eBook on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The nonpartisan story is designed to help families talk about voting, honesty, and community during the election season.

Why it matters: - The eBook gives parents, educators, and homeschoolers a child-friendly way to discuss elections without bringing real-world party politics into the lesson. - The book is aimed at helping children learn civic responsibility, honesty, accountability, and community service. - The release arrives during a high-volume election news cycle, when families may want a calmer entry point for conversation.

What happened: - Mary Jane McKittrick released Boomer and Halley Election Day: A Town Votes for Civic Responsibility as an eBook. - The eBook is available now on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. - McKittrick is a former TV journalist and children’s author based in Leland, North Carolina.

The details: - The story is set in the fictional Southern town of Shady Pines. - McKittrick describes the tone as "I Love Lucy meets Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood." - The plot follows cartoon characters through a local mayoral race. - The book uses two fictional tickets, the Common Sense Party and the Gimme Party, to keep the focus off real candidates. - Four themes appear on the page with a paw print: Honesty, Forgiveness, Responsibility, and Pet Care. - Discussion questions are built in to create "stop and talk" moments for adults and children. - McKittrick said the book is less about politics than a call to get involved, be informed, and be of service. - McKittrick said neighbors of all ages, including animals, show children that making a voice heard can improve communities.

Between the lines: - The book appears designed to lower the temperature around election talk by using humor, fictional candidates, and familiar character-based storytelling. - McKittrick’s journalism background likely shapes the book’s emphasis on information, participation, and responsible civic behavior. - The format suggests a classroom- and family-friendly approach that can support both reading and guided discussion. - Boomer and Halley is part of Shady Pines Story Town, a multimedia platform of character-building stories and resources for families and classrooms. - The series is described as award-winning.

What's next: - Families and educators can use the eBook immediately during the current election season. - Additional series details and resources are available at the Shady Pines Story Town website. - McKittrick continues to develop the Boomer and Halley series under the Shady Pines Story Town brand.

The bottom line: - McKittrick is using a fictional kids’ story to turn election season into a lesson in civic participation, not partisan politics.