In 1977, I self-published my first children's book.
The Kitten & the Puppy didn't sell very well.
Actually, it didn't sell at all, despite winning a Coldicot (sic) and getting rave reviews from critics such as my parents, grandparents, and Mrs. Sturgeon, my kindergarten teacher.
Fast forward to the debut of The Voice That Won the Vote: How One Woman’s Words Made History. It’s the little-known story of the mother who saved suffrage.
The book features an unsung hero named Febb Burn, her son Harry, and the handwritten note that led to one of the nation’s biggest wins for women’s rights. An overriding theme of this story is the power of listening to your inner voice, even when society is saying something different. The book’s release in 2020 was timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of women getting the right to vote.
Note to shy six-year-old self who often struggled to find her voice in the world: Keep stapling pages together. In 2020, you have a book coming out that will show children like you just how much their voice matters.
The Voice That Won the Vote: How One Woman’s Words Made History
Release date: March 15, 2020
Age range: 6-10 years
Jacketed hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Illustrator: Vivien Mildenberger
ISBN: 978-1-53411-049-6
Includes author’s note and timeline
"Boxer's writing makes this moment in history come alive." ~ Booklist
A Mighty Girl Best Book of 2020.
"A most suitable lesson for our time." ~ School Library Journal
For the press:
“I hope this book helps kids realize how much their voices matter.” –Elisa Boxer
(click to download book cover)
Elisa Boxer is a Maine-based, Emmy-winning journalist and columnist whose writing has appeared in publications including The New York Times, Inc. and Fast Company. Having worked in newspaper, magazine and television journalism, Elisa is thrilled to bring her reporting and storytelling skills to the world of children's literature. She is especially drawn to stories of unsung heroes like the ones featured in her first book, The Voice That Won the Vote: How One Woman’s Words Made History. Visit her at Elisaboxer.com
Children's literature blog interviews:
Melissa Mullen Photography