Peace and Me

Starred review from September 1, 2018

Gr 2-4-What is peace and what does it mean to each of us? Mantras defining the meaning of peace in all of its manifestations introduce young readers to a variety of noted individuals from all over the globe, lauded for their achievements across a wide spectrum of fields. Vibrantly bold, lush cut-paper and fabric collages provide a rich visual feast that is stunning and uplifting. A world map allows students to locate each medalists' country and, much like the appliqué quilt it resembles, reminds readers that each one of us contributes to the wholeness and beauty of the world. This is truly a moving book. Children who delight at poring over intricate images will find no shortage of places to look; indeed, just when one seems to have seen it all, more details reveal themselves in the striking illustrations. The range of time periods represented is also a plus, from contemporary activists such as Malala Yousafzai, to those of the past like Jane Addams. VERDICT A beautifully executed, powerful book. A remarkable addition to illustrated biography collections.-Rebecca Gueorguiev, New York Public Library

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 15, 2018
A look at 12 Nobel Peace Prize winners in a package that is as beautiful as it is inspiring.The book begins with a brief introduction to Alfred Nobel, who had quite a contrasting life. He invented dynamite, which was later used in weaponry and war, but Nobel is also associated with a prize dedicated to a long-lasting contribution toward peace. Winter chooses 12 recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize to explore in chronological order. Each winner is dedicated a spread with a stunningly patterned illustration on one side and a block of text on the other. Jean Henry Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross, is the first ever recipient and the first explored in depth. Winter also explores some well-known figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, and Malala Yousafzai. Interspersed are some lesser-known winners, such as Fridtjof Nansen, Rigoberta Menchú Tum, and Shirin Ebadi. A young, brown-skinned girl in a bright yellow and turquoise dress is hidden in all of the illustrations, peering up in wonder at the larger-than-life winners. The saying "Peace is..." repeats throughout, with the end of the phrase individualized for each person. Designed to impart a bit of history but also to encourage readers to question what peace means to them. (map) (Informational picture book. 7-12)

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October 15, 2018
Grades 3-6 Spanning the decades from 1901 to 2014, this slim volume unites a diverse selection of Nobel Peace Prize winners into a gorgeously illustrated anthology. The book begins with an account of Alfred Nobel's invention of dynamite and its global success, which brought him immense wealth and, to his dismay, considerable destruction to the planet. Readers learn that he created and funded the annual Nobel prizes to make amends, posthumously. It is evident from the map in the back of the book that the author was intentional about including a balance of women and men from different parts of the world: Africa (Desmond Tutu, Wangari Maathai, Nelson Mandela); Asia (Malala Yousafzai, Shirin Ebadi, Mother Teresa); Europe (John Boyd Orr, Fridtjof Nansen, Jean Henry Dunant); and the Americas (Jane Addams, Martin Luther King Jr., Rigoberta Mench� Tum). The biographies are succinct and often mention the hardships the individuals faced in pursuit of their unique and noble work. Fabric collage illustrations lend a friendly, folkloric tone to the book. A great springboard for deeper research projects.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)