Peace is a hello, a smile, a hug.
Peace can be bold or quiet and snug.
Peace is pronouncing your friend's name correctly.
Peace means we talk to each other directly. ...
Peace is a pillow that softens our sleep.
Peace pulls us through darkness or up from the deep.
This book consists of rhyming couplets and I am happy to say these are done really well. Many beginning picture book authors think writing a rhyming text is an easier option - I am going to say, and say loudly, it is not. A rhyming text should not talk down to young readers, it should not be afraid to use complex ideas or vocabulary and a rhyming text needs to work well when read aloud. The rhythm of the words needs to be maintained and not feel forced.
Esteli Meza included animals from Mozambique because Baptiste Paul, who is from St Lucia, wanted to link the war in Mozambique from 1977 to 1992 with the loss of animals. Over 90% of the wildlife was lost but today the wild animals have returned. There are also other animals such as the panda and our own koala.
"Some of the animals that appear in this book are ones you might find in Mozambique today, while others are cultural symbols of peace from nations around the world."
Here is the trailer for Peace from North South Books. I love the simple end papers in this book which consist of a tree covered in leaves and on each leaf we have the word peace in forty languages.
As I have mentioned previously I am collecting books from around the world and in particular I am keen to find books with illustrators from a huge variety of countries. On the title page you will see the famous peace dove with a tiny olive branch in her beak.
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 is 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 neighbourhood in Mexico Cit. Here are a few of her books including one about feelings (in Spanish).
And here are some other books by Baptiste Paul:
And here are a few by Miranda Paul:
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