Yesterday was not a good day for me. I was struggling with fears, worries, and frustrations, and I was therefore feeling pretty miffed with the world in general. Then I settled down to read and review Peace by Wendy Anderson Halperin. For as long as I have been reading her books, I have loved the way Wendy pairs her illustrations with text that has substance. She makes her readers think about and consider what she is saying. Peace certainly did this for me. She reminded me that being angry with my lot in life serves no purpose. Instead I need to think things through quietly and refrain from sending my annoyed feelings out into the world. I need to set aside the small stuff and do my part to create peace.
Wendy Anderson Halperin
Picture Book
For ages 5 and up
Simon and Schuster, 2013, 978-0-689-82552-1
Sometimes, when we read or watch the news, we feel
overwhelmed by the suffering that we see people experiencing all over the
world. There is so much violence, and it exists on so many levels. People are
robbed and hurt in their homes, and people die by the hundreds or thousands in
wars and other conflicts. How can one person do anything about this terrible
situation? How can a child promote peace when confronted by so much anger?
In this
beautiful and powerful book Wendy Anderson Halperin explores the idea that
every one of us can do things to make our world more peaceful. In the beginning
of the book she tells us how we can use our five senses so that we can become
better peace makers. For example, we can use our sense of touch to “help, to
plant, to comfort, to reach out, and to create peace.” With our ears we can be
good listeners, and with our words we can “heal, not hurt.”
She then goes on
to show us using artwork, her words, and quotations, how peace can only come to
our world if nations chose the path of peace. In turn nations can only embrace
peace if cities are peaceful. Cities cannot be peaceful if neighborhoods are
full of anger and violence, and if schools and homes are torn apart by cruel
words and actions. Homes cannot find peace if there is no peace in our hearts.
Packed with words
of wisdom from Desmond Tutu, Gandhi, Plato, Mark Twain and others, this is a book
that will empower and uplift readers. It is a book to read and savor, and it is
a book that will help readers to get through the hard times. Grownups reading
this book to their children will realize that the book is for them as well. It
serves as a valuable reminder that peacemaking begins with the individual.
1 comment:
Dear Marya,
Your review of PEACE is so thoughtful. Thank you. It makes me very very happy you will feel peaceful in your heart, your home, your neighborhood....and our world.
Smiling,
Wendy
Anderson Halperin
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