Sometimes People March

Starred review from July 6, 2020
In her author-illustrator debut, Allen presents an accessible introduction to political protest: “Marching is something people do together when they want to resist injustice.” Spare prose informs on the necessity of rallying and communal allyship, with graceful allusions to significant historical events from 1776 to the present. Allen describes multiple modes of engagement, saliently reminding readers that they can make a difference not only through in-person gatherings but also through making art and “by/ standing up/ or sitting down/ or taking a knee.” Inclusive ink and watercolor drawings elegantly attend the subject matter, portraying in gentle washes people of various skin tones, abilities, religions, sexual orientations, and more who are “stronger together.” An excellent supplement for enlightening young readers about activism and encouraging its praxis. Back matter includes a guide to the movements, marches, and key figures included visually throughout, with concise descriptions of each. Ages 4–8.

August 1, 2020
Simple, direct statements are paired with watercolor illustrations to highlight some of the rallying causes for organized marches throughout the history of the United States. The text and art begin with two marches that will reemerge as metaphor later in the book: a long line of ants marching to and from a piece of watermelon, and members of a blue-and-gold-clad marching band following their leader's baton. As the band recedes on the verso, across the gutter an extremely diverse group of people similar to the crowds marching across the book's cover advances toward readers on recto. Here the text repeats the book's title. Next, negative space surrounds a small group of women and children--obviously from an earlier time--holding a protest sign. The text explains that sometimes people march "to resist injustice." The facing page shows a contemporary family gazing with chagrin at a polluted beach; they will march because they "notice a need for change." The text continues to offer simple explanations of why people march, eventually moving to other peaceful means of resistance, including signs, boycotts, strikes, sit-ins, and "taking a knee." Hardship in the form of physical and psychic exhaustion is mentioned, but police and other legally sanctioned violence against protest is not--the general mood is uplifting encouragement to young, potential activists. This timely book combines rudimentary facts about peaceful resistance with art that depicts organized actions from the 19th century through today, and endnotes reveal more specifics about each illustration, including historic figures represented. Effectively argues that "People are more powerful together." (Informational picture book. 4-8)

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Starred review from September 1, 2020
Preschool-G *Starred Review* There's been an increase in the number of books about protests lately, and Allen's debut stands out with its straightforward, simple explanation of protests that succinctly folds in references to the long, varied history of mass demonstrations. The reasons are set out first, with the author depicting suffragettes, same-sex couples, anti-war activists, and more standing up for themselves and others, with signs and text giving reasons why. Allen focuses next on how protests are done, explaining that marching is just one method and that people also resist by standing up or sitting down or taking a knee. It isn't always easy. The main body of the book ends with affirming the reader's right to protest any time a problem seems too big to handle alone. An appendix lists and briefly outlines the events she references in the artwork, offering background information on protests such as Newsies Strike, 1899, "Black Lives Matter movement, 2013-present," "ACT UP, 1980s-present," and Global Climate Strike, 2018-present. Allen packs a lot of detail into the short, accessible text, and her illustrations?delicate, detailed ink-and-watercolor images of an inclusive array of people, diverse in skin color, body type, age, and ability, across a broad range of historical eras?beautifully complement the words. A warm, inviting introduction to protests and demonstrations, nicely pitched to the youngest of readers and ideal for starting conversations about current events.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

September 25, 2020

K-Gr 4-Debut author-illustrator Allen illuminates the motivations for protest marches. Contemporary issues are highlighted (systemic racism and police brutality, climate change, Black Lives Matter, the March for Our Lives) as well as historical protests (the women's suffrage movement, the Delano grape boycott). The watercolor drawings depict a diverse group of people, not only in terms of racial, ethnic, and visible religious diversity but also in sexual orientation and ability. One double-page spread highlights how people resist, including call-and-response chants, an Ida B. Wells quote rising out of a typewriter, Pete Seeger sailing on the sloop Clearwater, and young artists painting a mural. Allen shows that advocacy does not have an age limit. Children are portrayed as activists, protesting together or with their families. The text notes, "Sometimes from feelings of fear or anger or injustice comes the hope for change." The nuanced and varied facial expressions on every page make for a powerful focus for social and emotional learning lessons. A final double-page spread features a city street filled with protesters, using light and colors that project hope and power. A "Movements, Marches & Key Figures in the Art" section identifies the individuals and movements pictured throughout the book, which includes page numbers. VERDICT A must-have for any collection looking for age-appropriate books to answer questions about current events and social justice issues.-Courtney Lewis, St. Catherine's Sch., Richmond, VA

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