Praise for Say Something:
"In this new effort, Reynolds shows readers a variety of ways a voice can be used, listened to, and heard to make a difference... Reynolds' hand-lettered text, set in white text bubbles against a mix of bright backdrop colors and patterns, deftly works with before-and-after illustrations to show the change that children can effect. This book's encouragement to kids to find their voices can also be used to start a conversation about how they can make a difference in their world." Kirkus Reviews
Praise for The Word Collector:
"Peter H. Reynolds always manages to walk a delicate line with his books - make that a couple lines: weighty but not weighed down. Universal yet kid-centric. No easy feat." -Travis Jonker, School Library Journal
"Capture[s] the beauty of words and the wonder of sharing them with others... enchanting." Kirkus Reviews
"Packs a powerful punch... capture[s] both the joy of learning and the power of kindness." School Library Journal
Praise for Happy Dreamer:
"The message of acceptance and patience comes through clearly, and the exhortation to 'carve your own path' and 'show the world who you are' will be appreciated by anyone who has ever felt misunderstood." Booklist
"Celebrates individuality, self-expression, and the joys of being a dreamer... a liberating validation of dreaming as restorative, comforting, and powerful, while giving kids full license to be themselves." Publishers Weekly
"A sweet gift to praise spirited individuality, this choice encourages readers to dream big. Let those sparkles fly!" Kirkus Reviews
Praise for Ish:
* "Ish...encourages readers to see the world anew." School Library Journal, starred review
Praise for The Dot:
* "Simplicity itself, like the dot in the title, this small book carries a big message." Booklist, starred review
* "In this engaging, inspiring tale, Reynolds (illustrator of the Judy Moody series) demonstrates the power of a little encouragement...Reynolds pulls off exactly what his young heroine does, creating an impressive work from deceptively simple beginnings." Publishers Weekly, starred review
* "With art that seems perfectly suited to the mood and the message of the text, Reynolds inspires with a gentle and generous mantra: 'Just make a mark.'" School Library Journal, starred review
"It may speak to formerly artistic young readers who are selling their own abilities short." Kirkus Reviews
Winter 2018
PreS-Gr 3–The message that every person is amazing and has something meaningful to contribute to the world is what Reynolds conveys as he encourages children to speak up and speak out. "You can say something in so many ways—with words, with action, with heart." This powerful picture book will inspire readers to make their voices heard. The text is uniquely arranged in a series of "if" and "when" statements, followed by the words "say something," with a specific idea on each spread. For example, "If you see an empty lot… SAY SOMETHING by planting a seed and watching it bloom." Told in speech bubbles, the text allows readers to feel as though the author is speaking directly to them. The messages are clear, concise, and positive. There is an array of diverse characters; children from many backgrounds will see themselves reflected in the expressive and artful renderings. VERDICT A motivational must-have for every collection.—Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DE
2018-11-12
In this new effort, Reynolds shows readers a variety of ways a voice can be used, listened to, and heard to make a difference.
Each spread shows an example of how someone can change something or a situation "with words, with action, with creativity." The book opens on a young black girl who's exhorted by an unseen narrator via speech bubble: "The world needs your voice." Through many scenarios ("If you see someone lonely…"; "If you see an empty canvas…"), the narrator encourages children to take action in many ways. A young child can speak up "with a poem" or "by planting a seed and watching it bloom." These scenarios are enacted by a diverse group of kids, including many with various skin tones and hair textures, a child in a wheelchair, and one with glasses; ethnically or religiously specific accouterments are absent, however. Details such as the legends on T-shirts or protest signs ("Make more light"; "Shalom"; "I have a dream"; "I persist") reinforce the message. Reynolds' hand-lettered text, set in white text bubbles against a mix of bright backdrop colors and patterns, deftly works with before-and-after illustrations to show the change that children can effect.
This book's encouragement to kids to find their voices can also be used to start a conversation about how they can make a difference in their world. (Picture book. 4-8)
Author/narrator Peter H. Reynolds encourages each of his young listeners to find their voice, as even a single voice can make an impact on the world. This audiobook is beautifully narrated by the writer, with some help from a few children. The gentle, melodious music that accompanies each section harmonizes with the fluid tones of the text, enhancing the audiobook’s message. Reynolds provides a soothing performance with clear pronunciation and appropriate nuances, demonstrating that some authors shine at narrating their work. Though the print version of this story includes pictures, the audiobook stands on its own. A thoroughly enjoyable listen. A.L.S.M. 2021 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine
Author/narrator Peter H. Reynolds encourages each of his young listeners to find their voice, as even a single voice can make an impact on the world. This audiobook is beautifully narrated by the writer, with some help from a few children. The gentle, melodious music that accompanies each section harmonizes with the fluid tones of the text, enhancing the audiobook’s message. Reynolds provides a soothing performance with clear pronunciation and appropriate nuances, demonstrating that some authors shine at narrating their work. Though the print version of this story includes pictures, the audiobook stands on its own. A thoroughly enjoyable listen. A.L.S.M. 2021 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine