HOW TO CHANGE THE WORLD IN 12 EASY STEPS

Name: HOW TO CHANGE THE WORLD IN 12 EASY STEPS
Author: Peggy Porter Tierney
ISBN: 978-1-939100-54-2

by Peggy Porter Tierney ; illustrated by Marie Letourneau ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 19, 2021

Everyone has the power to change the world, even children.

All they need to do, encourages Tierney, is start small and follow 12 easy steps. Some are simple. They can give their parents a hug, clean their room, or invite someone sitting alone to join them. Other steps are more nuanced or challenging: accepting people for who they are, never giving up on their dreams, and standing up to a bully without becoming a bully. Letourneau draws racially diverse children thoughtfully engaging with the world. Her bright, charming illustrations amplify each step, one double-page spread for each. While the simple text speaks directly to readers, the illustrations extend it, showing readers through facial expressions and actions how to follow the steps. There are even occasional instances of speech or thought bubbles, showing specific examples of how children can embody the gesture suggested. The final step is a beautiful explication of forgiveness: “Forgiveness doesn’t mean what they did was okay….Forgiveness means that you decide you don’t want to be angry, and when the anger is gone, there is more space for happiness.” It and the entire book were inspired by Eva Kor, a Holocaust survivor, who inspired many with her capacity to forgive the people who caused her so much loss and pain. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A touching and beautiful guide to consideration and kindness. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Oct. 19, 2021

ISBN: 978-1-939100-54-2

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Tanglewood Publishing

Review Posted Online: Aug. 18, 2021

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2021

Categories: CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

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Despite the name recognition of the author and relevance of the story, sweet yet inconsequential.

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I COLOR MYSELF DIFFERENT

by Colin Kaepernick ; illustrated by Eric Wilkerson ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 5, 2022

A debut picture book from the NFL quarterback who took a knee during the national anthem.

Kaepernick speaks directly to children about growing up Black in a White family. The story focuses on one incident: When he shares a drawing of his adoptive family with his class, other students ask why he’s the only brown-skinned one. But with reassurance from his mother, young Colin realizes he should take pride in his identity. Although he says, “I don’t know too many kids who look like me,” the bland, somewhat idealized illustrations show a classroom with children with a variety of skin tones, and the teacher is Black. The story includes a rather simplistic explanation of what it means to be adopted: “Ever since Mom wrapped me in that warm hug, I knew having brown skin and being adopted made me special.” Kaepernick adds, “I have brown eyes, a brown nose, and brown hands...just like the people who inspire, create, lead, and change the world.” The accompanying illustration depicts nine African American historical figures, including athletes famous for taking political stands: Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who raised their fists at the 1968 Olympics, and Muhammad Ali, as well as Huey Newton, Toni Morrison, Angela Davis, Audre Lorde, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, and Malcolm X. The historical roles of these individuals are explained in a brief addendum. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Despite the name recognition of the author and relevance of the story, sweet yet inconsequential. (“letter to the reader”) (Picture-book biography. 4-8)

Pub Date: April 5, 2022

ISBN: 978-1-338-78962-1

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Scholastic

Review Posted Online: April 15, 2022

Categories: CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

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Engaging, well-chosen images and a clear, coherent text illuminate the importance of empathy for the world’s inhabitants.

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A WORLD TOGETHER

by Sonia Manzano ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 15, 2020

Large color photographs (occasionally composed of montages) and accessible, simple text highlight global similarities and differences, always focusing on our universal connections.

While child readers may not recognize Manzano, the Puerto Rican actress who played Maria on Sesame Street, adults will recognize her as a trusted diverse voice. In her endnote, she explains her desire to “encourage lively conversations about shared experiences.” Starting out with the familiar, home and community, the text begins with “How many WONDERFUL PEOPLE do you know?” Then it moves out to the world: “Did you know there are about 8 BILLION PEOPLE on the planet?” The photo essay features the usual concrete similarities and differences found in many books of this type, such as housing (a Mongolian yurt opposite a Hong Kong apartment building overlooking a basketball court), food (dumplings, pizza, cotton candy, a churro, etc.), and school. Manzano also makes sure to point out likenesses in emotions, as shown in a montage of photos from countries including China, Spain, Kashmir (Pakistan/India), and the United States. At the end, a world map and thumbnail images show the locations of all photos, revealing a preponderance of examples from the U.S. and a slight underrepresentation for Africa and South America.

Engaging, well-chosen images and a clear, coherent text illuminate the importance of empathy for the world’s inhabitants. (Informational picture book. 5-8)