Book review: 'National Geographic Readers: Susan B. Anthony' is a good read for kids, but lacks some pertinent information

We here in Utah are celebrating the 150th anniversary of women receiving the right to vote. That's right, while the rest of the country took half a century longer, Utah women officially (finally!) earned their right to vote on February 12, 1870. Two days later, Seraph Young cast the first vote. So, while many others are celebrating Valentine's Day today, we here in Utah have a double holiday!

So it only seems appropriate that I highlight National Geographic Readers: Susan B. Anthony today. Right? 

Image from Amazon

The first thing that jumped out at me about this book was the format it was written in. The pages on the left have smaller font, and are for adult readers to read aloud to their child. The pages on the right, with fewer words and larger font, are for kids. Ta da! It's a genius way to help kids read AND learn all at the same time.

Susan B. Anthony was a pioneer in the women's suffrage movement. She worked tirelessly over decades, leading and teaching others of the importance of women having the right to vote. Although she died 13+ years before seeing her goal achieved, she was one of the main people who helped bring it about.

While Susan B. Anthony does a great job giving a few details about Anthony's early life, this book is much better (also a lot longer) and probably more interesting for kids. But I get that Nat Geo had less than 50 pages to try to cram as much info as possible, so this book is still an okay place to start.

However, author Kitson Jazynka makes is sound like none of the United States women were able to vote for anything, anywhere, until 1920. And that's simply not true. Wyoming first gave women the right to vote in 1869 and, as I mentioned earlier, Utah did the same a few months later. But this book doesn't mention either.

So, while it does lack some information, National Geographic Readers: Susan B. Anthony, can be a good, albiet incomplete, jumping off place when teaching your kids about the history of women's suffrage.

This book is a clean book with nothing offensive in it.

Book breakdown:
48 pages
Mostly black-and-white photographs with color illustrations
Best for ages: 4 through 10
Educational factor: high
Moral content: nothing offensive
Parents could be concerned about: just make sure you tell your kids that women in some states had been voting for 50 years before this book ends.