"And maybe,
Just maybe,
A little hopeful.
You're told not to hope.
But you keep hoping anyway."
What wonder to pair two fine artists for a story about a young child wanting to make a difference where he lives. Christian Robinson uses a telling front endpaper to invites readers to look closely at the mess created by accumulating trash. The heap is enormous, and includes many recognizable objects that are often dumped without clear thinking.
The title page shows that same small child peeking out from behind a garbage bin at a further mess. Although told there is nothing to worry about, he knows that something is wrong with what he is seeing. Again reminded there is nothing to be done about it, he is not so sure. He knows better.
"You're told that this is too big for you.
But you've seen the tiniest things
Make a huge difference."
Unwilling to just leave things the way they are, the child begins to make that difference. It starts with bagging what should be bagged, and leads to hauling those bags away in a small wagon. As he watches unconcerned people in his community 'dump' their garbage onto the street, sadness is followed by anger. Seeing a dandelion grow from under all that trash allows for hope. It only takes one other person to care. Soon, there is another. Kids caring about their world and what is happening there brings attention that leads to adults getting involved. Change happens. Hope lives.
Engaging text written in second person, always with the possibilities evident, encourages concerned kids to step up and bring change. Signature, boldly-colored collage art, surrounded by plenty of white space, puts full attention on the children determined to begin the work that soon inspires others to take pride in their community.
Just as you would not want to miss the opening endpaper, you want to make sure you take a careful look at the closing one. Brilliant!
What a collaboration! What a glorious achievement this is.
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