HALPERIN, Wendy Anderson. Peace. illus. by author. 40p. S & S/Atheneum. Jan. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-689-82552-1; ebook $12.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-6787-3.
Gr 3 Up–A beautiful book with rich watercolor artwork. Most of the paintings are spreads in a nontraditional layout, with sections sometimes divided into shapes by the meandering text. The book is about peace and how it can be achieved: in the world, in the country, in the city, in one’s school, and within oneself. The layout makes it a challenge to read aloud to a group. Many quotes from various people are included, with a running narrative on each page, beginning with “For there to be peace in the world…,” on the first page, followed by “…there must be peace in nations” on the next. Each spread incorporates the words of others to support the running circular narrative. For example, “Anger dwells only in the bosom of fools.–Albert Einstein” is followed by “What you do not want done to you, do not do to others.–Confucius.” This lovely, uplifting title is meant to be pored over and could be used as a starting point for important discussions about bullying, racism, nonviolence, and many other topics.–Mary Hazelton, formerly at Warren & Waldoboro Elementary Schools, ME
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