Evolutionary science concepts wrapped in philosophical and spiritual entreaties to value interconnectedness.
Appealing watercolors accompany text that emphasizes the interconnectedness of life, highlighting natural influences on the development of life on Earth.
Scientist and poet Isett explores forces that have “left indelible lessons in our DNA and taught each species a particular piece of the story that unites all of life.” The book is divided into chapters covering “Ocean,” “Air,” “Theia,” “Sun,” “Plants,” and “Symbionts.” Ocean was “the first mother of us all,” but life forms moved to live on land; when we breathe Air, it “connects us to an ancient cycle of growth, sustenance, and decay.” Collision with the planet Theia 4.5 billion years ago created Earth’s circadian rhythms. The author frames natural history in poetic terms—Sun conveys “one ancient, shining lesson: this is a place worthy of being seen”—and emphasizes the bonds among all living things—as in the mutually beneficial “dialogue” Plants have with animals. The chapter on Symbionts exemplifies the book’s blend of scientific concepts (like mitochondrial DNA, which carries “a story of mutual dependence”) with philosophical musings. Biçen’s watercolors in saturated pastels flow organically across the pages, supporting the central themes through radiant illustrations of the natural world, from double helixes to towering mountains. Eyes and hands appear often, symbolizing “the ubiquity of awareness and…the universe’s capacity to manifest life.” Crossing arbitrary divisions between art and science, the book closes by asking readers, “What story will you choose to tell?”
Evolutionary science concepts wrapped in philosophical and spiritual entreaties to value interconnectedness. (artist’s note, bibliography) (Illustrated nonfiction. 12-18)Pub Date: Sept. 30, 2025
ISBN: 9781592704118
Page Count: 104
Publisher: Unruly
Review Posted Online: July 3, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2025
Small but mighty necessary reading.
A miniature manifesto for radical queer acceptance that weaves together the personal and political.
Eli, a cis gay white Jewish man, uses his own identities and experiences to frame and acknowledge his perspective. In the prologue, Eli compares the global Jewish community to the global queer community, noting, “We don’t always get it right, but the importance of showing up for other Jews has been carved into the DNA of what it means to be Jewish. It is my dream that queer people develop the same ideology—what I like to call a Global Queer Conscience.” He details his own isolating experiences as a queer adolescent in an Orthodox Jewish community and reflects on how he and so many others would have benefitted from a robust and supportive queer community. The rest of the book outlines 10 principles based on the belief that an expectation of mutual care and concern across various other dimensions of identity can be integrated into queer community values. Eli’s prose is clear, straightforward, and powerful. While he makes some choices that may be divisive—for example, using the initialism LGBTQIAA+ which includes “ally”—he always makes clear those are his personal choices and that the language is ever evolving.
Small but mighty necessary reading. (resources) (Nonfiction. 14-18)Pub Date: June 2, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-593-09368-9
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: March 28, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2020
A powerful reminder of a history that is all too timely today.
A beautifully heart-wrenching graphic-novel adaptation of actor and activist Takei’s (Lions and Tigers and Bears, 2013, etc.) childhood experience of incarceration in a World War II camp for Japanese Americans.
Takei had not yet started school when he, his parents, and his younger siblings were forced to leave their home and report to the Santa Anita Racetrack for “processing and removal” due to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066. The creators smoothly and cleverly embed the historical context within which Takei’s family’s story takes place, allowing readers to simultaneously experience the daily humiliations that they suffered in the camps while providing readers with a broader understanding of the federal legislation, lawsuits, and actions which led to and maintained this injustice. The heroes who fought against this and provided support to and within the Japanese American community, such as Fred Korematsu, the 442nd Regiment, Herbert Nicholson, and the ACLU’s Wayne Collins, are also highlighted, but the focus always remains on the many sacrifices that Takei’s parents made to ensure the safety and survival of their family while shielding their children from knowing the depths of the hatred they faced and danger they were in. The creators also highlight the dangerous parallels between the hate speech, stereotyping, and legislation used against Japanese Americans and the trajectory of current events. Delicate grayscale illustrations effectively convey the intense emotions and the stark living conditions.
A powerful reminder of a history that is all too timely today. (Graphic memoir. 14-adult)Pub Date: July 16, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-60309-450-4
Page Count: 208
Publisher: Top Shelf Books
Review Posted Online: Aug. 4, 2019
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