Granddaddy's Turn: a journey to the ballot box by Michael S. Bandy and Eric Stein is a very touching, historical story about our country's struggle for equal voting rights at the time of the Civil Rights Movement. Michael's life on the family farm alternates between hard, sweaty work and precious play time which always includes Granddaddy time and his wise sayings, especially one about having patience as you go about your life. When one morning Granddaddy appears in his best suit and it is not a church going day, Michael knows that something important is up. Grandma says, "It's our time, and you got to look your best!" Michael doesn't want to miss out on what's going to happen, even though he hasn't a clue about where they are going. Excitedly he joins his grandfather to document the big event with a photograph. Michael is taken by surprise when Granddaddy takes him to vote. "Nobody in my family had ever voted before...I never knew anyone who had voted before." When his grandfather finally gets his ballot, after being repeatedly cut in front of, Michael snaps a photo.
The story line is simple but ever so powerful. The illustrations, by James E. Ransome, have rich earthy tones and a rural, small town look to them. Taken together, this is one very tender book that brings forth an important message for this time, to never take voting for granted.