But keep saying
what is in your heart...
...and you will find someone who listens.
Keep saying it...
...and you may be surprised
to find the whole world
listening."
Peter Reynolds has his finger on the pulse of the children who read his books. He knows that they know they can make a difference in their world, and in the greater world at large. They just need to 'say something.' It takes bravery, stepping out of a comfortable place, wanting to make the world better, and encouraging others to do the same.
The endpapers are a perfect start. At the front, the speech bubbles offer options for saying what needs to be said: I can! Let's right the wrong. Be brave. Together is better. May kindness be your compass. You've got a friend. Think green. Take a stand.
So much that needs to be said in school, on the playground, at home - and every other place that needs to hear a child's voice expressing personal and uplifting thoughts and beliefs. In this newest book, he shows children that they can make a difference by using their voices - that one voice encourages another, that people will listen when they are saying important things.
His readers are told right from the beginning that 'the world needs your voice'. Every turn of the page offers advice on ways to use it. There are many ways to let the world know how you are feeling, and what you believe. Each scene asks readers to take action. If someone is lonely, be there for them. If you see a space that would support a flower or community garden, get some friends and some seed and make it happen. Share the beauty of the world in poetry. If you are angry, tell someone why. Inspire others to search for peaceful solutions to problems faced. It is not easy, but it is important. Every one has a voice; find a way to use it.
The artwork is signature Peter Reynolds - bright colors, speech bubbles, small details that attract attention, hand-lettered text, and compassion. Facing pages show what happens before, and then after a choice is made. It is a celebration!
The endpapers at the end of the book encourage further action with this message, and a series of speech bubbles meant to be filled in by the reader:
"Your voice can
inspire, heal, and transform.
Your voice can change the world.
Are you ready to
say something?"
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