Libraries and librarians, specifically those which/who collect, disseminate, share and utilize targeted works of children’s literature, may serve as excellent conveyors of much-needed civic understandings – going beyond how a bill becomes law to an emphasis on fact-checking, reasoning, listening, and consensual decision-making.

Works for young people which highlight American history, when shared by school and public youth service librarians, may specifically serve as bridges between historical events and the “handling” or courageous resolution of real-world issues. These humanistic understandings will help children develop into citizens capable of calling on lessons learned from the past as a means of resolving collective American problems, i.e. improving policy or legislative processes, and/or arriving at well-considered answers to our modern problems.

Our recent publication, Rollin’ on Down the Line: Lady Bird Johnson’s 1964 Whistle-Stop Tour for Civil Rights, is an example of nonfiction which fosters civic discussion and participation. This 40-page picture book relays the story of a First Lady who set politics, fear, comfort, and even her own well-being aside for the good of the country.  In 1964, Lady Bird Johnson embarked on a whistle-stop tour through the South at a time when tensions were boiling over, division was “thick as fog,” and good-will and civility appeared extinct.

Her intent was to show the South they were a welcome part of our country and that accepting the precepts of the Civil Rights Act would catalyze peaceful communities and prosperity. No doubt, she also hoped to tout her husband, President Johnson’s, recent legislation and ensure his re-election.

While on this tour, Lady Bird faced protest, yet continued sharing her own viewpoint; relayed the need for change, compassionately understanding reluctance; withstood verbal abuse and the possibility of danger, while displaying composure, strength and empathy.  What a lesson in civic responsibility, embodied by one of our most iconic First Ladies, one who changed the role of the First Lady forever, by campaigning and discussing alternating viewpoints…without the presence of her husband, no less!

How might a librarian tie/connect lessons learned from Lady Bird’s journey, as discovered within the pages of Rollin’ on Down the Line, to real-world governance and dutiful citizenry?  Several suggestions follow.

 

  • Lady Bird prominently serves as a role model for, and promoter of, civic action, exhibiting the courage, perseverance, and downright grit necessary for the evolution of democratic values.  Discussions as to the character traits necessary for present-day civic action will help leaders, of all ages, embrace and adopt successful lessons from the past, avoiding fallacies.
  • Lessons associated with behavior befitting the leaders of our country can be garnered from the text.  LBJ is shown as a President who supported ALL Americans, not just those who shared his own viewpoint.
  • Children reading the story may discern, with guidance, that only “deeds, not words” will further advance democracy and our country’s forward-movement, “words” to be defined as inaction, propaganda, slander, and/or half-truths.
  • The value of hospitality, ambassadorship, and statesmanship will be understood as librarians ask readers to portray means by which Lady Bird “won over” Southern voters and advanced the cause of human rights. The latter is certainly a constant for which we must always strive.
  • Librarians can deliver instruction or promote projects which ask students to listen to and consider reasoned opposing viewpoints, just as Lady Bird asked protestors to listen to and consider her speeches while on tour.  Hence, problems can be solved, not worsened.
  • Per Lady Bird’s own interactions with the Southern crowds, readers may be directed to consider their fellow Americans as “friends,” not enemies, NOT “the other side of the aisle.”
  • Readers may be encouraged to embark on civics-based projects in which they reach for “the beauty in democracy, the beauty in us,” indeed the beauty in themselves, as nourished and groomed while providing civics-based service to other Americans, i.e. helping the elderly find transportation to the voting booth or delivering water at a voter registration drive.
  • Last, but not least, this story will serve as a perfect example of American women contributing to political processes and discussions, providing a civic impetus to ALL readers, and a sense of empowerment to our country’s young ladies.

As children’s book authors, we trust our story, as relayed in Rollin’ on Down the Line, will help nourish a sense of civic duty amongst our youth – a sense of always working for the good of the country in a brave and forthright manner, while also diligently seeking to understand the experiences and viewpoints of fellow citizens, visiting differing environs, and touching every heart encountered “on down the line.”