The Wandering Feather, written by Lisa Frenette and illustrated by August Swinson. Owlkids, 2025. $22.95 ages 4 and up

 

"When the wind quiets, 
the feather drifts down,
landing on a woman's hat
decorated with three shiny 
peacock feathers. 

It would be fun to live with
such colorful friends,
the feather thinks. 
Could this be my 
new home?

Before the feather has time 
to settle, the woman spots 
it, plucks if from her hat, and
tosses it over her shoulder."

When a red-tailed hawk drops a feather in a quick dive to make a mouse its breakfast, a long and impressive journey begins. As it lands, the feather is concerned that it has lost its home; the rest of the book details that many intriguing actions that lead to a very fine ending. 

First, a squirrel makes it a part of her nest. The feather likes the feeling it gets from the quiet and serenity of this new home. With the heat from a rising sun, it becomes much too hot. Luckily a wind picks it from the nest and sends it on its way again. As the wind dies, it lands on a lady's hat alongside some beautiful peacock feathers. The lady is unimpressed, sending it on its way pretty quickly. 

From place to place, and one adventure to the next, the feather continues its wandering. At each stop, it expresses its feelings about where it lands, and the understanding that it has not yet found a permanent place to call home. A stroke of good luck puts it in the path of a young girl whose beach search for a third feather for her dreamcatcher is exactly the home it has been seeking. 

An author's note helps readers understand the cultural value of the dreamcatcher. August Swinson's artwork is full of motion and meaning as the feather floats from place to place. This book provides a lasting memory for finding a home that is just right. 

Shizue's Path, written by Mark Sakamoto and illustrated by Rachel Wada. Harper, 2023. $24.99 ages 5 and up

"I wish I could skip this chapter of the story, darling. 
just as you may want to skip parts of your own life 
story in time. But you see, you mustn't do that. 
You need to know your darkness to know your light. 

And I can see so much light in you. 

So I'll keep going through the dark. 

But I'd love for you to hold my hand."

Shizue is an old woman when she tells her story to a young visitor over a cup of tea. Because of her age, she must start as her life comes closer to the end. It is a story of pain and injustice; it also speaks to the courage and resilience of people who were wronged by many. There are things from her life that are not clear memories for Shizue. Others are very real and clear.

As a young child she loved school, but she did not look the same as the other children in her class. She worried about her father, a fisherman, and his safety. She worried even more when her parents' homeland, Japan, attacked Pearl Harbor and brought World War II across the ocean. She would rather not share this dark time in her life, but is part of her story. 

The anti-Asian backlash was puzzling to Shizue. No more school, forced from their homes, and sent on a train to a faraway place. The conditions were terrible; too cold, too hot, and there was no choice but to carry on. It was two years before Shizue could attend school again. Then, one day, the war ended and the people rejoiced. They did not know what was next for the Japanese people. 

"The government was planning to send me - and 
every person of Japanese ancestry - to Japan. They 
wanted all of us, gone."

What terror for a young girl! Then, good news. Shizue was invited to study at the University of Toronto. There was so much to learn and see, including hearing Rabbi Feinberg speak at a rally demanding compassion for those people who had no part in the war. It led to Shizue's life work helping people (including her family) find a place to heal. She exuded kindness wherever she went. 

It is a story that draws inspiration from Mark Sakamoto's great-aunt's life experiences and offers readers a sensitive look at how one person can send out ripples of kindness throughout that life.  

Maybe A Whale, written by Kirsten Pendreigh and illustrated by Crystal Smith. Groundwood, 2023. $21.99 ages 4 and up

 

"We build our fire close to shore, 
toast marshmallows. 
Sparks hiss as they hit the dark water. 
There's no moon, but millions of stars 
shine above. 

Why are there more stars here? 
Is Grandpa up there? 
Can whales see stars? 
Are the whales even here?"

It was supposed to be a trip with her beloved grandfather; they were going to embark on an ocean trip together to see the whales. With his death, the planned trip cannot happen. Or, can it? As the little girl and her mother look through Grandpa's things, Mom suggests doing the trip on their own. The little girl is unsure. What will it be like now that Grandpa is gone? 

They make a long trip to the ocean, gathering together all they will need. With a rented kayak, they set off. The trip is not without difficult winds and waves; still, it is filled with the wonder of ocean life. Their arrival in a quiet cove allows them to unpack, beach the kayak, and prepare a meal. 

Setting up their camp is a reminder of earlier backyard campouts with Grandpa. A fire is built, marshmallows are toasted, and the two are entranced by the many stars in the night sky. There is much to see, but not Grandpa's whales. 

""I wish Grandpa were here," I say. "I wish I'd seen a whale."
"Maybe tomorrow.""

Their bedtime conversation is filled with stories and memories, and with many nighttime sounds. A new and unfamiliar one comes from Grandpa's beloved whales ... humpbacks 'breathing in the bay'. Unseen, but definitely there! Breathing with them, the two fall fast asleep and wake to prepare for their return trip. 

Though the two can no longer hear ... or see ... the whales, readers can see them floating below the surface in a brilliant final image created by Crystal Smith.                                                                            

Peaceful Me, written by Sandra V. Feder and illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell. Groundwood, 2023. $19.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Sometimes I feel peaceful
when I do something nice. 

"For you,"
peaceful. 

"I'll help,"
peaceful."

The child narrator of this follow-up to Angry Me (Groundwood, 2022) is quick to assert that feeling peaceful is a good thing. There are a multitude of ways that make one feel content. Many examples are expressed in clear, simple words that bring understanding for young readers. There are also times when feeling peaceful is not quite as evident. The mood changes and what was fun is no longer. 

Luckily, the child knows what to do to calm down and bring peacefulness back. Perhaps a deep breath, or finding a quiet place will do the trick. Why not find a tree to hug? It's not always easy, but with some work, it is worth it. 

Ms. Bell works digitally to create textures and depth in scenes that show the child spending a day in pleasant surroundings, doing things that will invite discussion of similar activities for the young audience. Her artwork is detailed and colorful, lending its own air of calm at every turn. 

"Sometimes being peaceful 
is easy. 

Sometimes it takes 
work to get there. 

But when I do, 
I'm happy to be 
peaceful me."                                                                           

A Bowl Full of Peace: A True Story. Written by Caren Stelson and illustrated by Akira Kusaka. Carolrhoda Books, Thomas Allen & Son. 2020. $23.99 ages 9 and up

 

"War for Sachiko means less and less of everything.
Now Grandmother's bowl offers only
bits of mackerel floating in broth,
but the family is still together. 
Even sister Misa and little Toshi learn to press 
their hands together.

ITADAKIMASU."

No one knows where or when Grandmother's bowl began its journey from mother to daughter, down through the generations. What they do know is that it is a valued part of every dinner Sachiko's family eats together. Those meals fill them up. As WWII brings more pain and suffering, it also causes a severe food shortage. Soon, the bowl is filled with balls made of wheat, and softened with hot water. Sachiko is only six years old when the atomic bomb drops on Nagasaki, and her life is forever changed. The family's home is destroyed; one brother dies and two more later die from radiation sickness; the family must move away. Two years later, a return to Nagasaki blesses them with the discovery of Grandmother's bowl in the rubble - in perfect condition. 

I read Sachiko's story (Sachiko: A Nagasaki Bomb Survivor's Story) 4 years ago, and was left with such a sense of sorrow for her losses, and also of admiration for her bravery and stamina in the face of such loss. In this picture book, Caren Stelson has taken one part of Sachiko's story and written this book for younger readers. She tells the story with quiet assurance, and offers an ending that is full of hope. Digital paintings help readers to recognize the setting for the story, and for the real importance of the bowl's central position at the dinner table. Its presence is shown in repeated scenes, always offering a sense of calm during dark times.   

An author’s note describes her meetings with Sachiko to learn her about her family, and bringing her story to a wide audience through the first book. She discusses life in Japan during the war and emphasizes the importance of finding the bowl, and the gratitude with which it was used. Archival pictures, including one showing Grandmother's bowl, as well as a description of some of the history of the war itself are an important part of this back matter. An illustrator's note is added, written in English and Japanese. It is followed by a short list of  recommended books for further research. 

 “Itadakimasu” -  “we humbly receive this food”. 

What If Soldiers Fought With Pillows?: True Stories of Imagination and Courage, written by Heather Camlot and illustrated by Serge Bloch. Owlkids, 2020. $19.95 ages 9 and up

"The director of the Dutch National Ballet saw the documentary, raised money, and brought Joudeh to the Netherlands to study dance - just before he would have to serve in the Syrian army and have to give up his dream. Now a professional dancer and choreographer, Joudeh does everything he can to help others - from sharing his story, to raising money for refugees, to dancing ... "

Joudeh's story is told following a question that asks, "What if everybody showed up to a political party with their dancing shoes on?" That page's introductory sentence explains: In the fight for peace and survival, ballet beats bullets for one Palestinian dancer. 

That what if question is only one of fifteen meant to give readers pause to think critically about how and what they feel when they hear it. Narrating a true story about activists who are not well-known for each of the imaginary premises is sure to inspire and offer an outlet for imagination and admiration. Each entry illuminates a story of peace and compromise, and shows what can be done when the world is pictured in a hopeful and inspired way.

The design makes the entries very accessible. Two pages for each question: one is sketched by Serge Bloch to extend its meaning, while the other provides the explanation for the subject's inclusion. It is an intriguing way to look at changes that have huge impact. It is a call to readers to help make changes that matter. It sparks imagination, bravery and a feeling of hope in a world where it is needed. 

A glossary, endnotes, and selected sources follow, and provide for further study.

"In Nazi Germany, if you didn't shoot down the enemy. you could be punished by being shot yourself. Stigler knew this and still chose not to follow orders. He couldn't fire on a defenseless plane and crew. It would be dishonorable. It would be the action of a monster. Brown couldn't forget that day. Decades later he looked for Stigler - and found him living in Canada. Almost forty-seven years after meeting in the air over Germany, they met face to face in Seattle, Washington. Together they embarked on a new mission: to share their incredible story with young and old - from students to veterans - across North America, not as feared enemies but as close friends."

https://youtu.be/lfoleXOt6oQ

“We do not need magic to change the world. We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better.” (J.K.Rowling)

The Bear and the Star, written by Lola M. Schaefer and illustrated by Bethanne Andersen. Greenwillow, Harper. 2019. $21.99 ages 3 and up

"Bear stood and began his
search
for a tree -
a tree that would be strong,
a tree that would be tall,
a tree that would be the
center
of all to come.
And then, on the top of a
windswept hill, Bear found
the tree - "

Lola Schaefer centers her expressive, hushed book on the concept of peace in the world. It begins for Bear on a December morning with the sighting a new star - one not seen before. That star serves as a reminder to Bear that 'the time' has come. In so doing, Bear sets off on a quest to find the perfect tree - a tree that would be 'the center of all to come.'

When his search results in the desired object, Bear makes it known that all should gather. Sending his message to North, South, East and West, it is heard clearly everywhere. Animals join him as he takes his place beside the tree, and calls ever more loudly:

"As the star shined brighter,
Bear roared louder than before,
his voice booming
across mesa and meadow,
over sea and peak,
from cliff and bluff."

People put down what they are doing to join Bear and the other animals. It is time for everyone to come together in celebration of peace.

Bethanne Andersen's soft, textured oil paintings show a quiet gathering of the creatures of the world -animal and human - as they find a common place.  There is such reverence in each double page spread for all who quietly gather there to revel in the love and joy of the world. 
                                                                             

Imagine, written by John Lennon and illustrated by Jean Jullien, with a foreward from Yoko Ono Lennon. Clarion Books, Raincoast. 2017. $24.99 all ages

"Imagine all the people
living life in peace.

You may say I'm
a dreamer,
but I'm not the
only one.

I hope some day
you'll join us ... "

Today is the United Nations International Day of Peace, and I want to share this beautiful new book with you. It is perfectly appropriate for these trying times.

It is the first published picture book set to John Lennon's original lyrics, and has been created in collaboration with Amnesty International. Let's hope it helps each one of us to imagine a better world, a world at peace.

Jean Jullien has chosen a pigeon as his main character; a bird bent on spreading the message of peace and friendship to the birds of the world ... no matter their color, their shape or their size. She offers an olive branch, a gentle hug and encouragement to live a life without conflict. With every positive message passed on, the feelings grow. In the end, when the pigeon is exhausted by its efforts, the birds previously met join her on a branch to show they are now all willing to 'give peace a chance.' It is a gentle reminder  to readers to pay it forward.

By sharing such a thoughtful and beautiful book we encourage empathy in the kids whose lives we share, and offer a message to them that they can make a difference when they care about others. Speak up! Be strong! Let your voice be heard, just as John Lennon let his voice ring out for tolerance, unity and understanding.

It is a lovely book, and I'm sure it would find favor with its famous songwriter. He was a dedicated campaigner for a better, more peaceful world for all. Yoko Ono Lennon adds a foreword, Amnesty International an afterword that speaks to readers of the importance of human rights, now and forever. It provides information about becoming an AI member. With every copy sold, money will be donated to help raise needed funds for the charity.

If you are interested in others who want to spread a peace message, or want to add one of your own, you can go to http://www.thecreativecorporation.com/portfolio/ for more encouragement.

https://youtu.be/JTa90PKV5UM

https://youtu.be/YkgkThdzX-8

A Boy Asked the Wind, written by Barbara Nickel and illustrated by Gillian Newland. Red Deer Press, Fitzhenry & Whiteside. 2015. $19.95 ages 8 and up

"Then wildly, loudly,
Cape Doctor howled the
smog away.
For fifteen nights and
fifteen days
she cleared the air of
fumes, of haze,
of dust and smoke
from factories."

Gifted authors seem to take every opportunity that presents itself to tell a new story. Barbara Nickel's son was the inspiration for this lovely tale about the wind and where it lives:

"A boy asked the wind, "Where do you live?"
And the wind up high in the flag shivered,
the wind down low in the grass rivered
over his toes to scatter the leaves."

The wind responds by taking the boy on a journey around the world, showing him the five types of wind explored in Ms. Nickel's poetic text. She celebrates those winds, allowing her readers to see the benefits they bring and the effects of the climate and geography on the way they work. The lovely descriptions create word pictures to help readers understand the wind's many faces. There are so many lovely images created in stunning poetry.  

Each description shows the increasing power of the wind. It affects humans and animals in all five regions of the world: Canada, Nicaragua, South Africa, Iraq and Greece. It ends quietly, bringing its story full circle for the boy who initially asked the question:

"remember ...

Chinook, Papagayo, one wind,
Cape Doctor, Shamal, Zephyr, one wind
with many voices, one wind with many faces.
My home is the world."

Gillian Newland's watercolor images so beautifully embody the way the wind changes, and the varied settings for each: prairie, ocean, mountainside, desert and finally, the gentleness of the zephyr wind which returns the boy home. End notes add appreciated information about the winds, alongside a world map and a glossary.

Shh! WE HAVE A PLAN, by Chris Haughton. Candlewick Press, Random House. 2014. $18.00 ages 3 and up

"LOOK!
up there

hello, birdie

shh

SHH!

we have a plan."

Oh my! What a truly delightful book this is...I can't wait to share it in a classroom! Kids will be skulking along with the 'planners', and helping me read it in no time flat! It is one terrific picture book.

Three hunters (and a much smaller tagalong), dressed in dark clothing and sporting nets, make their way along a forest path. When their keen (and googly) eyes spot a brightly colored bird on a nearby branch, the tiny follower offers a warm hello. He is told, in whispered threats, to be quiet as they have a plan!

Staying behind, he watches as the three tiptoe toward their prey, nets at the ready. At the moment of capture each falls over the other in a jumble of arms and legs; the bird flies off. Rats! Next, they spot that same bird on a much higher branch, leading to the need for a ladder. The little one is again happy to just say hello. The ladder gets them to a more realistic height for success...but, you guessed it. Foiled again, by their own ineptitude. Still, they are ready for a third attempt.

What do YOU think...a log on a stream and a bird in the water? Nope! The bird flies to shore where the fourth 'hunter' is waiting with a tiny bread crumb, and then more. The tender morsels attract a gathering flock. The hunters are tempted, and intent on capture. They do not see the strength in bird numbers until it's too late. Off they run, empty nets in hand. They do not, however, know the word defeat. NEVAH! 

Distinctive, graphically rendered, and humorous artwork is what I have come to expect from the very talented Chris Haughton. He does not disappoint! In bold blues and blacks, with touches of brilliant color for the birds, he has created a perfect picture book for young readers. The words are spare and repetitive, creating the tension needed. It is a book that must be added to your ever-expanding shelf of anytime readalouds. 

Jubilee, written by Alicia Potter and illustrated by Matt Tavares. Candlewick Press, Random House. 2014. $19.00 ages 8 and up

"The Temple of Peace was now the biggest building in America. It was so big that people were afraid. What if it collapsed? they wondered. Some days, the talk sent Patrick straight to bed. Some nights, it kept him wide awake with worry."

Well, I've said before, and now I am saying it again. There are many, many people whose stories I do not know. Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore is just one more of them.

Thanks to Alicia Potter and Matt Tavares, and this new collaboration, I am more informed than I was yesterday. Let me tell you a bit about Mr. Gilmore. He was born in Ireland and music was his life. He played in his town's band and sang in the choir. It started in church and moved beyond church walls:

"It was wonderful! But Patrick longed to hear more notes and even bigger sounds. And he knew just how to accomplish that. He would become a bandleader."

A move to Boston, 'the country's music capital', was where his dream came true. With the onset of the Civil War and his enlistment in the army, he took his music to the troops. He became uniquely aware that music had great power to lift the spirits of his fellow soldiers. The war's end was all the inspiration he needed to do something quite wonderful: 

"Patrick would create the biggest, boldest, loudest concert the world had ever known. The music would celebrate the bravery of the soldiers! The unity of the land! The end of the war! The concert would be a peace jubilee."

Told that his idea for a five day celebration was too everything, Patrick moved forward, and even found sponsorship for the project. Planning in earnest included construction of a Temple of Peace; once it was done, Patrick could get on with the work of the jubilee itself:

"At three o'clock, one thousand musicians tuned their instruments.
Ten thousand singers took their places beneath two angels holding olive
branches - the sign of peace. The concert was about to start!'

                                                                    

As so often happens with books for young readers, we learn here about a relatively unknown event in a country's history. Thanks to Ms. Potter's able storytelling and Matt Tavares' watercolor, gouache, ink and pencil artwork, we are captivated audience members at this bold and raucous celebration of the sounds of music.  For those readers who attend concerts today, this is a lesson from the past that helps us to understand the joy we continue to feel when we share music today.

An author's note and bibliography add essential information.                                 

                                                     

Grandfather Gandhi, written by Arun Gandhi and Bethany Hegedus and illustrated by Evan Turk. Atheneum Books, Simon & Schuster, 2014. $19.99 ages 4 and up

"Grandfather wasn't one for riddles, Father had often told me, but he was one for stories. One was coming, I was sure of it. I held the thin cotton thread between my thumb and forefinger, not moving, as Grandfather's fingers went to work. "Have I not told you how anger is like electricity?" I shook my head."

This is a very special account of a slice of life spent with a beloved grandfather, written from the perspective of his grandson. Arun is only twelve when he and his family arrive at Sevagram, the ashram where his Grandfather Gandhi lived in later life.

Arun's voice is clear, and sometimes confused. He loves his grandfather dearly, and wants to spend time with him. So, too, do many others. In fact, there are more than three hundred people living in the ashram. The lifestyle is simple and communal. It consists of morning prayer, chores that are shared by all who live there, and even the dreaded pumpkin mush that everyone eats for dinner.

The family's move from South Africa to spend two years with his grandfather proves to be trying for the young boy. He misses much about his old way of life, including movies, meals, electricity and choice in activities. Here, he has to take lessons in Gujarati, work with a tutor, and share his grandfather with many others. In the first week he spends time hovering nearby trying to speak with him. Arun is soon sent away, to find work that needs to be done.

In the second week, his grandfather walks and talks with him, sharing his wisdom and asking Arun questions about his family and this new way of life. Arun is honest:

"The other kids tease me, and my tutor thinks
I am useless," I blurted out as the path before us
turned. "I try hard, but it is not enough."
I stopped short of saying that I didn't feel like a
Gandhi, that peace and stillness did not come easily
to me. Even Gujarati did not come easily to me!"

His grandfather gives Arun full attention, and offers the advice that he give himself time to adjust. But when Arun's reaction to a bad day, made worse when he is knocked to the ground in soccer, is one of extreme anger, he runs in fear to his grandfather again for counsel. The wisdom that Grandfather Gandhi imparts is a lesson that changes the course of Arun's life.

Debut artist Evan Turk uses complex collage images to give emotion to this powerful story. Using watercolor, gouache and cut papers, he creates scenes that help young readers understand the relative peace of the ashram and the strength of the anger and frustration that the young boy feels.

This is a remarkable story, told with passion and grace. Its message is made clear without ceremony. Rather, it is the tale of a man who speaks from his heart to his confused and much loved grandson, offering a gentle and uplifting message about each person's role in making the world a better place.

A note from the authors provides context and hope for each one of us:

"It is our hope, Arun's and mine, that we each look inside to see where our anger, shame, and fear hides. And when we do so, that we lovingly channel those feelings into positive action. Each time we choose to act rather than react, to sit instead of strike, to listen instead of shout, we work to create peace. We help our world heal.
                   Let us learn to live our lives as light."

 

Peace, Baby! Written by Linda Ashman and illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff. Chronicle Books, Raincoast. 2013. $18.99 ages 2 and up

"Dress up time:
You grab the gown,
but Phoebe snags the
sparkly crown.

Would a princess push
her down?

No! Peace, baby."

In this lovely book about the many emotions that human beings feel, Linda Ashman takes a light look at how we can deal with them in a setting meant for preschoolers. Not intended to be smug or self-righteous, it is rather a happy look at what happens when children are together. Sometimes they are annoyed, frustrated, sad, angry, even jealous. It happens.

Peace, Baby opens the dialogue that may help them deal with situations as they arise, or even just to talk about the many ways they feel. I love that this book encourages us to act in peaceful ways; there seems to be so much anger in the world....honking horns, irritated huffs in waiting lines at the grocery store, strong and unreasonable reactions to the most innocent actions. If those who are older than the little ones for whom this book is written set a stage for peaceful response, what kind of change would we see in the world?  
 
The rhythmic patterns of the described events add fun and enjoyment. The repetitive refrain 'Peace, baby!' offers little ones a cheery response. It is calming, while also providing a happy atmosphere for sharing those little annoyances that sometimes get in the way of being a friend. And, it's not just for little ones. We all need to think seriously about our own responses to life's little dramas!

The gentle, warm feel of the watercolor illustrations done by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff add their own sense of quiet peacefulness. The pastel colors, the expressive and caring children, and the various familiar settings encourage readers to pay attention to the action and reaction on each double page spread. They are as light and airy as the solution to each of the dilemmas, and that is a good thing!

I dreamt...a book about hope. By Gabriela Olmos. A Groundwood Book, 2013. $18.95 ages 7 and up

"I dreamt
that wars are
always fought with
flowers...
and that SOLDIERS
prefer shadowboxing
to shooting
at each other."

Life in many countries today is a harrowing experience. From the floods in Alberta to the lasting effects of last month's tornadoes...and beyond  our towns and cities, children and their families are uprooted and face an unknown future. This book was first published in Mexico, a country held in the grip of a brutal and ferocious war against drugs. It is ongoing and does not promise to end soon. Children live in fear, and know far too much about upheaval and unpredictability.

As the author dreams of a different world for so many children, she writes with hope for their future. 
Twelve Mexican illustrators add their interpretations of the sentiments of the author as she describes that world. These brilliant artists donated their works so that sales of the book might benefit the IBBY's Fund for Children in Crisis. Each piece of art is very different from the next, and introduces us to artists whose work we may not have encountered. It is a picture book that will inspire and awe its readers.

"And I dreamt that robbers are good for stealing nightmares...
while jokes are the best way to drive a kidnapper away."

While children are sure to recognize the improbability of the dreams, there is hope in the thinking. It would be interesting to see what the young might dream in terms of sad and hurtful times.  For those children who are victims of war and dangerous times it might be just the impetus to start a conversation.

Beautifully imagined!

Peace, written and illustrated by Wendy Anderson Halperin. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Simon & Schuster, 2013. $19.99 ages 5 and up

"For there to be peace
in the world...there must
be peace in nations. For
there to be peace in nations,
there must be peace in cities.
For there to be peace in cities,
there must be peace in
neighborhoods. For there to
peace in neighborhoods, there
must be peace in schools... "

If you have seen other work by this acclaimed artist, you will not be surprised by the depth of detail she creates for each of the double-page spreads in her newest book. They remind me of stained glass windows, and invite readers into a world of peace that comes from within each of our hearts:

"When there is peace in our hearts, there will be peace in our homes".

She uses watercolor and colored pencils in warm and gentle tones, then divides her illustrations into small panels that welcome the children and animals of the world to share this tribute to peace for all. 
Accompanying the poem that moves the reader from page to page are quotes from world leaders throughout history, beginning with:

"What you do not want done to you, do not do to others." -Confucius

Every page encourages concentrated attention to the world, its inhabitants and the role we play in making it peaceful and harmonious. It is a difficult concept to each with words only. The artist uses her unquestioned talent to bring us scenes of living with respect for the land, the animals, the peoples of all nations and our own families.

To help us recognize what must be done to make peace a reality, Ms. Halperin begins by showing people who are living in disharmony. A lack of kindness to others is evident, as is solitude, bullying, environmental concerns, vast differences in education and upset in family homes. She gives readers reason for hope as we move backwards once we have 'peace in our hearts'. I love that the shift comes in the middle, where children's art takes center stage and two of my favorite quotes are placed:

"In serving the best interests of children, we will serve the best interests of all humanity." - Carol Bellamy.

"Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and  still be calm in your heart." - Unknown.

As we then move backwards, all who share this book will see evidence of what happens when we decide to make our own differences...caring about the world, music, art, reading, growing our own food, helping with chores and schoolwork, being a part of communities, and acceptance of others. Each tiny vignette from the beginning finds an accompanying solution through peace in our hearts. It is a lovely message!

"May the Sun bring you new energy by day, may the moon softly restore you by night, may the rain wash away your worries, may the breeze blow new strength into your being, may you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life." -Apache blessing

The Forgiveness Garden, written by Lauren Thompson with pictures by Christy Hale. Feiwel and Friends, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2012. $18.99 ages 5 and up

"One day, Sama walked along the stream, yearning for something to ease her aching, angry heart. She reached a calm pond and bent to drink. What she saw reflected there stopped her. She saw the ugly scar, but most of all, she saw her own dark, brooding scowl.
"Who have I become?" she cried."

"Forgiveness is giving up all hope of a different past..."
That, I think, is a thought to live by. This story takes as its focus a real garden planted following the civil war in Lebanon:

"The Garden of Forgiveness is in Beirut, Lebanon, and is the vision of Alexandra Asseily, humanitarian, activist, and psychotherapist, who has decided that 'every act of revenge is a time bomb thrown into the future'. It was created in the aftermath of a civil war that claimed 300, 000 lives (1985-2000).

In her story, Lauren Thompson envisions two villages, each harboring resentment of the other and their conflict is ever present. When Karune, a village boy from Gamte, hurls a rock that hits Sama, a village girl from Vayam, more violence is the result. Everyone is angry and bent on revenge. Karune has an inkling of concern over his action. However, the long and always evident hatred of the Vayams is uppermost in his mind. Sama wants more than the sad and aching heart that beats within her body.

On the day she sees her reflection in the pond, it gives her pause to think about her destiny. While looking across the pool at some Gamte children, she comes to the realization that they are the same as she is. At that very moment avengers from her village capture Karune and urge her to seek vengeance against him.

When she looks up into their angry, bitter faces, she realizes that retribution is no solution:

"Let us build a garden instead, " she said.
Now, all of the people grumbled. Someone shouted, "What kind of garden?"
Sama knew. "A forgiveness garden."

Out of the mouths of the children....

Is wondering how others feel in the same situation a step toward kindness to all? Is forgiveness one path to peace? There are no real answers., but it certainly sparks conversation, doesn't it? Building a community garden together must surely make a difference.

In this book we asked to remember Archbishop Desmond Tutu's statement: “There is no future without forgiveness.”

 Christy Hale’s beautiful collage images create a place in time for this thoughtful story and encourage readers to think about their actions and the ripple effect of what they do. The colors change as the tone of the tale changes, beginning with greys, browns and blacks and ending in cool blues, greens and violet. The bravery of two young people point the way toward healing in the beauty of this  serene space.

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The Christmas Quiet Book, written by Deborah Underwood and illustrated by Renata Liwska. Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, Thomas Allen & S0n. 2012. $14.99

"Cocoa quiet

Shattered ornament quiet

Gliding quiet

Forgotten line quiet

Breathing clouds quiet

Luminaria quiet"

I can see you forming pictures in your mind...that is the beauty of this book. We can all of us imagine a  kind of quiet time. As with the first two books by this talented team, they have ways to get youngsters thinking about their world, and the sounds (or the lack of...) that they encounter in it. Their conditions of quiet conjure up feelings previously felt and specific memorable events.

They make quite the team. Deborah Underwood so adroitly puts herself in a young child's head when choosing the beautifully worded scenarios. Her words are an invitation for children to allow their imagination free rein and come up with other such times when 'quiet' is the mood. She moves her readers from peaceful to embarrassed, from sadness to great joy, from entranced to exuberant. Renata Liwska manages to picture each scene with 'quiet' charm and in delightfully soft images. Each one evokes the beauty of the season and the wonder that children feel while immersed in the hustle and bustle of a multitude of activities.

This is their third book; this time the holiday theme allows children who share it a chance to voice their own memories of Christmases past, and revel in the joy felt as the new one approaches. Hopefully, they will be familiar with the format, and eagerly scan each and every page to share the particular type of quiet being described. The engaging animals give a lovely soft feel to the whole. The text is simple, using only a few needed words to incite and entrance. The final image showing two inquisitive bunnies sneaking a peak at the anticipated presents reminds me of just such a scene in our house. No peeking...really????

I love these books for the shared moments they inspire and look forward with anticipation to the next...whatever sound it might be!

Kali's Song, written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter. Schwartz & Wade, Random House. 2012. ages 4 and up

"...he laid his arrows down,
put the bow to his mouth,
and plucked the string.
Animals listened
and were still.
Birds listened
and were still.
And the stars came out to listen."

As you can see from the cover, Kali is a young boy born at the time of the cave men. And he lives a life that is unsurprising to those who have read anything about that time. The men hunt for food, often the woolly mammoth. His mother is an artist and she captures r life on the walls of their cave, through drawings that show the animals, the tools, and the animals of their world.

Kali is being groomed to be a huntsman, as are the other boys who live in close proximity. He practices with his bow and arrow as he is expected to do; while practicing, he inadvertently discovers another use for his bow. He can make music with it!

Music becomes his most important pursuit when no one is watching. When hunt day comes, Kali accompanies the men and boys in their quest for food to sustain the community. Kali is in awe when he sees how large and truly grand the mammoths are. In that moment, Kali turns to music...what he is hearing in his head as he watches these majestic animals. The music draws the mammoths closer and Kali becomes revered as a shaman who has great power over the animals. His status within his tribe remains strong even when he is an old man, and music is essential to his being:

"And every evening,
even when he was a very old man,
Kali went to the hills with his bow,
closed his eyes, and played his bow-harp
until the stars came close to listen."

Isn't that lovely?

The illustrations are framed as if painted on rough walls and placed on torn papers (handmade, we are told) and have the feeling of an authentic depiction of cave paintings. They add texture to this gentle, quiet story of a young boy who follows his muse.

TRUCE, written by Jim Murphy. Scholastic, 2009. $24,99 ages 9 and up

"The truth was that something deeper was
at work on the men. The more friendly contact
they had with the enemy, the less anger they
felt toward them. After describing in detail
how neighborly the enemy across from him
was, German captain Rudolf Binding concluded
his diary entry with, 'Truly, there is no longer
any sense in this business.'"

And now, another story of the Christmas Day Truce...this one a nonfiction account of it from an author who was clearly moved and amazed by the events that transpired that famous day. When the men in the trenches called their own truce, they took no orders and paid no attention to the differences that were inherent in their being in that place and time. They believed in a Christmas miracle and they made it happen. For a brief and shining moment, they chose peace over all else.
Jim Murphy is a veteran in the field of nonfiction....he writes with clarity and care and does his research impeccably. While the text is direct and very clear, with accompanying archival photos to give readers perspective, the war itself was complex and often too horrifying to imagine. War has no place of honor for readers...it reflects the abysmal losses that resulted as modern weapons were used in old world combat. The story is compelling and kept me reading well into the night. I didn't want to put it down....war? injury? hatred? Doesn't sound like a book I would read relentlessly. But, I did.

When war broke out in summer 1914, the world swelled with patriotic pride...and all were convinced that it would be short-lived and the men would soon be home. At Christmas time, there were no signs that the end was in sight. In fact, the battles raged on and on, with no clear advantage to either side. Thousands died while thousands more dealt with illness, insects, rain and the knowledge that the war had no real purpose for the people fighting it.

On Christmas Eve the soldiers were falling prey to despair and the futility of the battles. They were trying, as much as they could, to create a more humane, and happier place to be. They sang songs, put up trees, and shared gifts. Everyone was quietly trying to enjoy this one special day! In the midst of their willingness to find good in an evil, ugly circumstance, the true spirit of Christmas shone forth.

You know the rest of the story....but, you will not be sorry to read about it in this masterful, and honorable book. I will leave the final say to Major Murdoch McKenzie Wood:

"I...came to the conclusion that I have held firmly ever since, that if we had been left to ourselves there would never have been another shot fired. For a fortnight that truce went on. We were on the most friendly terms, and it was only the fact that we were being controlled by others that made it necessary for us to start trying to shoot one another again."

the ENEMY, written by Davide Cali and illustrated by Serge Bloch. Random House, 2009. $17.99 ages 6 and up

"The enemy is there
but I have never seen him.
Every morning, I shoot at him.
Then he shoots at me.
We both stay hidden
the rest of the day, waiting."




In my previous post I told you about a book called The War To End All Wars (Batten, 2009) about WWI. Would that it were so!

In fact, there always seems to be a war going on somewhere in the world and despite what history teaches us, we cannot seem to make them stop.  Wherever those wars are happening, you can be sure that families are losing their homes, their loved ones and their trust in others. Soldiers, death, guns, heartbreak and broken promises make enemies of former friends and even family members. There is always an enemy.

Is war the answer?

In this brilliant book we meet two men. Both are hiding in their holes, programmed to kill the other. That is what the manual says they must do. The enemy is dangerous and sure to be a threat to everything held dear should he take the upper hand. As they spend day after day in the same spot with no apparent action, one soldier begins to wonder about the other. Does he see the same stars? Following orders is tough work when  the rain is falling and there is no end in sight to the battle they are waging.

Time passes and the fear and paranoia builds...perhaps the monster will come while the soldier sleeps. No, that cannot happen. He must take the initiative; so, he sets out to kill his enemy. Upon arriving at the enemy's hole, he finds no one there. But, he finds so much more than that...
The sentiment is real and poignant:

"If only he would send me a message saying, "Let's end the war now." I would agree to it right away. So what is he waiting for?"

Could the answer be a message in a bottle?

Powerful and thought-provoking! Bravo!!