Salutations! With my long history of literacy outreach, it’s no surprise that I am a lover of words. A brighter future for our nation depends on a single, exceptional word: E-D-U-C-A-T-I-O-N.  We all have to pick up a living somehow. Human, pig, or spider, one finds it far easier to attain an occupation both fulfilling and valuable to society when one is well educated. Some are fortunate enough to have their meals brought to them in pails. Most of us live by our wits. And in order to survive — to thrive — by our wits, those wits must be sharp. A vote for Charlotte is a vote for intelligence.

— Charlotte A. Cavatica,
Charlotte's Web

This post is part of our ongoing Horn Book KidLit Election 2012 coverage. This week, Democratic candidates present their platforms; polls will open for the Democratic ballot Thursday, September 6^th, and close at noon on Friday, September 7^th. Look for our announcement of the winning Democratic presidential candidate and his or her running mate Friday afternoon. Last week, the Republican candidates had their say; see the results of their primary here. Click on the tag KidLit Election 2012 to see all posts.