Angela, Private Citizen

Reach for this book when your child is starting to notice the complex rules of the adult world and is feeling the weight of being a responsible citizen. It is a perfect choice for the rule follower who worries about fairness or for the child who is beginning to ask questions about how society actually functions, from filing taxes to following local laws. Six-year-old Angela is a miniature philosopher with a massive heart and an even bigger sense of duty. As she navigates life in a bustling family, she tries to make sense of everything from the IRS to the concept of truth. This humorous and gentle story validates the internal world of a young child who takes things literally and seriously. It is a wonderful tool for normalizing the anxiety of growing up and for starting conversations about what it means to be a good person in a confusing world.