Potty Politics

This is a new edition of a title which first appeared in 1996. Deary's and Reeves's facetious take on (mainly) British politics for 10-13 year olds, has been updated to include Blair, New Labour and Hague. In a series called 'The Knowledge', modelled on the popular 'Horrible Histories', the book offers a jaundiced introduction to political life, dressed up, magazine style, with amusing trivia, quick quizzes and cartoons. There are plenty of bad jokes; it is often patronising - any information that cannot be made into a cartoon is likely to be labelled a 'boring fact'; and there is an air of clever cynicism: but, at the same time, the book is entertaining and informative. It is definitely a great deal more fun than many a po-faced production line text and, with all the clowning, Deary and Reeves make points about the value and working of our democracy.