Publishers Weekly
★ 07/10/2023
Alongside National Youth Poet Laureate Gorman’s soaring poem about change, Caldecott Honoree Robinson opens with a portrait of a Black-presenting child walking along a city block, viewing an overflowing pile of trash with a look of concern while an adult moves on. “You are told/ That this is not a problem,” begin ringing lines, “But you’re sure/ There’s something wrong.” The child returns to tackle the trash, struggling to push an enormous shopping cart. Collaged spreads compare the youth’s steady work to that of an ant (“you’ve seen the tiniest things/ Make a huge difference”) and, after ups and downs, portray the arrival of interested companions (“This problem is big,/ But together,/ We are bigger”). The first seedlings they plant at the cleared site wilt, but there’s soon growth that becomes “Something that is not a dream,/ But the day you live in.” Together, the creators chronicle a child trusting their inner voice and working out how to address what feels in need of care, while Robinson’s neighborhood scenes, portraying a community of varying abilities, ages, and skin tones, model collaboration as a means for metamorphosis. A Spanish-language edition publishes simultaneously. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)
From the Publisher
★ "Gorman immerses readers in the experience, assuring them that they are not alone in their longings for a better world." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "[A] soaring poem about change… Together, the creators chronicle a child trusting their inner voice and working out how to address what feels in need of care, while Robinson’s neighborhood scenes, portraying a community of varying abilities, ages, and skin tones, model collaboration as a means for metamorphosis." —Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ "The picture book’s second-person point of view invites the audience to feel as if they’re a part of the story and empowered to change something within their community. The use of collage perfectly communicates the idea of what once was trash being transformed anew… This picture book’s timely message about coming together to make a change is a perfect addition to all libraries." —School Library Journal, starred review
"Award-winning Robinson and lauded poet Gorman are a perfect match, and fans of both will be eager to read their collaboration." —Booklist
"The text is lyrical but accessible, and Gorman brings a compassionate commiseration and firm determination to her call to action." —BCCB
"Gorman urges readers to resist any suggestion that they should wink at societal problems and assume powerlessness." —The Horn Book
School Library Journal
★ 07/01/2023
PreS-Gr 3—This book follows an unnamed brown-skinned child as they see something they want to change in their community. The picture book's second-person point of view invites the audience to feel as if they're a part of the story and empowered to change something within their community. The use of collage perfectly communicates the idea of what once was trash being transformed anew. Characters of varied skin tones and body types make up the child's community, as everyone works together to change their world. VERDICT This picture book's timely message about coming together to make a change is a perfect addition to all libraries.—Myiesha Speight
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2023-06-08
In this collaboration from National Youth Poet Laureate Gorman and Caldecott Medalist Robinson, a small child finds a way to make a big impact on the community.
The Black-presenting youngster notices something wrong but is told it is “not a problem,” that it “cannot be fixed,” and that it is “too big for you.” But the child is determined to try. Writing in second person, Gorman immerses readers in the experience, assuring them that they are not alone in their longings for a better world. The powerfully spare lines of text convey the concerns that can occupy the mind of a thoughtful person in a society full of problems and complacency. Robinson’s signature simple, child-friendly collage art brings the text into concrete detail as the protagonist notices an oversized trash heap on the sidewalk and begins to work at cleaning it up. With help from diverse friends who are eager to make a difference, too, the child replaces the trash with a raised bed garden, which disappoints with withered seedlings before ultimately blooming into “something that work[s],” something to be proud of. Robinson’s scenes are set against plenty of white space, giving text and art equal weight—both are sure to spark meaningful and productive conversations. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
An engaging offering whose hopeful message will resonate with readers of all ages. (Picture book. 4-8)
