Peace

by Miranda Paul, Baptiste Paul, Estelï Meza (Illustrator)

Overview

“A valuable, necessary lesson that beautifully defines peace for children and their adults.”–School Library Journal, starred review

A stunning and multicultural introduction to the concept of peace for young readers, now available in paperback.

Peace is on purpose. Peace is a choice. Peace lets the smallest of us have a voice.

From a hello and pronouncing your friend’s name correctly to giving more than you take and saying I’m sorry, this simple concept book explores definitions of peace and actions small and big that foster it.

Award-winning authors, Baptiste Paul and Miranda Paul, have teamed up with illustrator Estelí Meza—winner of the ‘A la Orilla del Viento’ the premier Picture Book Contest Award in Mexico—to create an inspiring look at things we can all do to bring peace into our lives and world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780735845534
Publisher:	NorthSouth Books
Publication date:	04/23/2024
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.20(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Miranda Paul is the award-winning author of more than a dozen books for children, including Little Libraries, Big Heroes, illustrated by John Parra. She is a founding member of the organization We Need Diverse Books, and lives with her family in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Baptiste Paul is the author of several books for children. Born and raised on the Caribbean Island of Saint Lucia, Baptiste is a native Creole/Patois speaker and enjoys reading his books and sharing about his experiences with anyone who would listen. Baptiste holds Degrees in Environmental Studies and Political Science from Bucknell University. When he’s not writing or hiking, he up-cycles wood pallets into planters and wooden floors to name a few. He lives in Wisconsin with his family.

Estelí Meza grew up surrounded by books, and her love for illustration began when she attended la Feria del Libro Infantil y Juvenil with her father. In 2018, Estelí was awarded A la Orilla del Viento, the premier picture book award in Mexico. Finding Home was her author-illustrator debut in the United States, published by Scholastic. She has also illustrated books published in Mexico, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates. Estelí spends her days drawing in her neighborhood in Mexico City and is always happiest with her notebook and pencil, and a chocolate pastry and cafecito. Visit her at estelimeza.com

Editorial Reviews

Thoughtful, inspiring words and exquisite illustrations to share with young minds during increasingly tumultuous times.

Avery & Augustine Blog

This picture book takes a huge concept like peace and makes it completely approachable for young readers.

Mutually Inclusive Blog

"A meditation on the idea of peace, with actionable ideas for increasing peace and making the world better. Small things like pronouncing people’s names correctly to big things like respecting our planet and each other. These lush illustrations are full of plant and animal life. The authors’ note dives into how war doesn’t just hurt humans, so the message of peace is woven with protecting the earth.

Little Book Parade blog

Perfect for celebrating spring as a time of birth and hope, this book is sure to spark family conversations about peace and
personal responsibility.

Washington Parent

"Young readers are given the tools that they need to understand peace and how they create it in their own lives."

Kiss the Book

★ 03/01/2021

Gr 1–2—Charmingly illustrated, this striking picture book informs young readers of the benefits of peace and that it is attainable for each of us: "Peace is on purpose. Peace is a choice. Peace lets the smallest of us have a voice." Delivered in perfectly scanning rhyming couplets, this important lesson is easily understood in the words that define peace and in the engaging illustrations. Round-face children in a wide variety of skin tones and hair colors mix and mingle with one another and with insects and animals from around the world, including lions, rabbits, bears, zebras, and birds. Bright colors decorate the pages with round-topped trees and flowers along with smiling animals and youngsters. Some of the animals pictured are symbols of peace, such as cranes and the doves holding an olive branch, and some are critters considered naturally peaceful: pandas, koalas, penguins, and butterflies. The authors' note at the end tells of how war affects not only humans but also the animals living in the midst of conflict and how peace can help repopulate devastated areas. VERDICT A valuable, necessary lesson that beautifully defines peace for children and their adults.—Maryann H. Owen, Oak Creek P.L., WI

School Library Journal

2020-12-25
A visually splendid primer on peace.

“Peace is on purpose. / Peace is a choice. / Peace lets the smallest of us / have a voice.” In this attractive package, lyrical, rhyming text explores various forms of peace. A few usual laundry-list suspects are included: “Peace is a hello, / a smile, / a hug.” But the co-authors manage to slip in emotive twists: “Peace can be bold / or quiet and snug.” Extra attention is paid to inclusivity: “Peace is pronouncing / your friend’s name correctly. // Peace means we talk / to each other directly.” This imperative is found in the illustrations as well, in which a multiracial cast of children includes two who wear eyeglasses and one who walks with forearm crutches. Luscious scenes in warm, comforting hues show the children mixing with plump, pillowy animals in a variety of habitats (in one scene a snoozing lion acts as a literal pillow); an authors’ note takes an extra step: Peace means humans living in harmony with one another and living in balance with nature too. During war and conflict, wildlife is also affected. That note also explains that animals from Mozambique—war torn but recovering—grace the pages along with other national symbols of peace. The Pauls offer strong, bold words, hoping they’ll land in the hearts of children everywhere. The lulling text will work well to soothe young activists, but the tricky concept of peace requires an older understanding. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-17-inch double-page spreads viewed at 15.8% of actual size.)

Poignant, broad strokes invite a deep delve. (Picture book. 3-10)

Kirkus Reviews