KIRKUS REVIEW
A barbed-wire fence separates two communities—one ocher and one blue, each needing something the other has in abundance.
The blue folk have a well on their side with much water. The ocher folk have an oven with plenty of bread. But when the ocher side runs out of water, the blue side will not share. The water is on their land; it belongs to them. This compels the same response when the blue side runs out of bread. Luckily, the younger generation thinks this is ridiculous. They happily share through the fence and wonder, “Why are our parents like this?” When green strangers arrive, a new portion of fence is erected to divide the land further. The green folk have nothing to offer, and the bread and water are kept guarded by adults. But still, the children share. Optimistic readers will hope the fence will be torn down in the end, but it stands strong—showing how much work society still has to do. Wobbly, unrestricted lines create these elongated, scribbled characters. Even the barbed wire seems springy and looped, not menacing, though the important message is not lost in frivolity. Kids can bring about change, regardless of previous generations’ ideas. This Spanish import was published in Europe in collaboration with Amnesty International, and a portion of its sales will go toward protecting human rights worldwide.
Empowering in its simplicity. (Picture book. 4-8)
