THE POLITE PARADE

Children perform acts of politeness in Martin’s picture book, celebrating the uplifting effect of good manners.

In her latest, Martin (2001’s Surrounded by Numbers, etc.) introduces readers to a jolly gaggle of young children, living in what is clearly a harmoniously multicultural town, marching in a politeness parade. They hold banners and brandish signs proclaiming behavioral mantras like “Respect!” and “Wait your turn”; these taglines are also rendered in distinctively colored fonts within Martin’s ABCB rhyming text, presented in prose form. Ellie hands out balloons, inviting kids to take one. Tommy serves lemonade and says, “You’re welcome.” Jada asks, “May I give you a hug?” Through politeness, the children bring joy to others, which makes them feel happy, too. Martin’s narrative shifts between the past and present tenses throughout. This slight jitteriness is also evident in the author’s awkward phrasing when searching for rhymes: “Then Zack in a Zig-Zagged colored vest, said ‘After you,’ when he stood with the rest. He lets others go first at the ice cream stand, with a gentle smile and a waving hand.” One innovative feature of Martin’s approach is that she presents mannered politeness not as a child’s obligation or even as altruism, but rather as a way to feel good. This persuasive spin comes across in Sysolina’s vibrant, upbeat, two-page-spread digital illustrations, which show the protagonists in a semi-pixelated joyous haze akin to computer-game characters picking up bonuses.

A bright and busy book, upbeat and wholesome in its outlook.