Other editions of book That's Not Fair!: Getting to Know Your Rights and Freedoms

There are lots of rules we all need to follow, from the dress code at school, respecting someone’s privacy, to turning your light off at bedtime. In six entertaining stories, Mayor Moe and City Council grapple with the task of making rules to keep their city safe, prosperous and fair. Not an easy job, since citizens come in all shapes, sizes and colors, and have different thoughts and beliefs. Readers will find out about the rights and freedoms enjoyed by every citizen in a democracy, and why they matter. With its strong focus on civic-mindedness and social justice issues, this book equips readers with the language and concepts that illustrate what it means to be an engaged citizen in a democracy --- and makes it fun!

This unique addition to the CitizenKid collection, written by by Danielle S. McLaughlin, provides an accessible exploration of the rights and freedoms of citizens in a democracy through a series of six short stories starring Mayor Moe and the councillors of a sometimes wacky city. In each story, the councillors are first presented with a problem, and the group then makes a decision to address the problem with a new law, only to discover later there were unintended consequences. There is one councillor, Bug, who objects to each decision being proposed by commenting, ?That's not fair!? --- a sentiment familiar to children, who have an innate sense of justice. The topics are child-friendly: Should you be allowed to search someone's bag because you think they could have something of yours? Does it make sense to have a law that states people can say only nice things? Conclusions for each story include an extended discussion of the rights and freedoms featured in the story, along with three questions to ponder: Why did the councillors make their decision? Did the new law achieve its purpose? Were there any unexpected results? There are no right answers given. Instead children are encouraged to look at all sides of each issue, which engages their critical thinking skills and fosters empathy for other points of view. This book would be perfect for sparking spirited discussions on civics lessons and inspiring children to become involved citizens. The bright and humorous illustrations by Dharmali Patel keep the interest level high. A Note for Parents and Teachers and definitions of the rights and freedoms covered in each story are included at the end of the book.