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evarano's review against another edition
3.0
This book is about different walls that individuals will encounter in society, throughout their life. It follows a group of children playing and exploring and explores collaboration, friendship, exclusion, imagination and other situations that the building or breaking down of a wall provide. I did not love this story for children, I did not really understand the point, I found the one word per page or situation quite odd. It was hard to follow and I do not think the point came across clearly. The illustrations were great. I may have this in a classroom for students to read, about friendship and collaboration, but I would not use it as an adaptation. Thanks to NetGalley for the free preview in exchange for an honest review.
readwithpassion's review against another edition
5.0
My own children have been asking about walls. They hear about them in school (in preschool and first grade), and they come home with a lot of questions. This book offers such great fodder for conversations about walls. The wall in this book evolves, and it is up to the reader to interpret many aspects about the wall and its purpose. I love how this opens discussions for what walls might represent and how they might differ in various conceptions. For instance, the wall in this book might be described as a border wall or it might be describe attached to a metaphorical or ideological wall. This is a book that will make readers of all ages think. I read the book three times in a row (which is not often my approach) because I kept thinking about new applications of the text. This would make a phenomenal classroom text and would be great for critical thinking and discussions. I recommend it highly.
unchainedreader's review against another edition
2.0
This was a cute story about friendship, but it isn't anything special. The metaphor was confusing at times.
abigaillaurawriter's review against another edition
3.0
"Sometimes a Wall" is a very sweet book about friendship! I have to say that I started it very confused as the beginning is odd. There was not a clear set up of the positives of a wall (or even neutral) before it moved into the negatives. The book follows children and some walls. At first the children and some walls are just there and then it morphs into some children building a castle to keep others out and then it transitions into friendship and creating together. The second movement from mean to kind and friendship was beautiful. I could see my kids not getting the beginning though and it just starts the book a little 'off.' The illustrations we're absolutely beautiful and sweet! I loved them. I also loved the message of friendship!
A huge thank you to OwlKids through NetGalley for my copy! My views are my own.
A huge thank you to OwlKids through NetGalley for my copy! My views are my own.
allmadhere106's review against another edition
3.0
For: readers looking for a hopeful book.
Possible red flags: being left out; fighting with a friend.
Possible red flags: being left out; fighting with a friend.
kazalicious's review against another edition
2.0
The illustrations are really well done and would definitely pull children in. Beyond that, the message is weak and I was waiting for the book to feel like it had started with every page turn. It felt very lacking in substance.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC
nicalyse's review against another edition
3.0
While I do like the art style of this one, I don't love the story behind it. It feels thin and flat, particularly in a time when walls are such an important topic of conversation. There's very little of the why here, or the why not, and the sparse language rather than leaving room for imagination leaves the reader confused about what is happening in the story.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for review via NetGalley.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for review via NetGalley.
backonthealex's review against another edition
4.0
We hear a lot about walls these days, and they can have different reasons for being, as young readers learn in this new picture book. Kids see that walls can be drawn on with chalk, or they can be a wall of cooling water on a hot summer day, they can even be a rock wall on which to practice climbing. And sometimes walls can be inclusionary, but they can also be exclusionary.
And sometimes when a wall is exclusionary, the children behind it can be mean, and the child outside the wall can be hurt by their taunts and lies. When one boy inside a wall decides to turn it into a castle, after all the other kids work together to build it, he selfishly shouts MINE and wants all the other children go away. But sometimes, having your own castle surrounded by a wall and no friends can get pretty lonely. Perhaps a new start can turn things around because...a wall can lead to anything!
When I first read this book, I loved it, but I was also afraid it might be a little to metaphorical for my young readers. And it was. However, it generated some really good conversations and reflexions regarding what this book says about friendship, inclusion, empathy, kindness, and connection. These are big words and ideas for young kids, but this book so nicely illustrates what they mean using the sparest of text and simple, but expressive illustrations. We've read Sometimes a Wall... a number of times now, and each time it get richer and more meaningful. The kids also had some fun with the two coloring pages (see below for the link) that go with this book.
Who is Dianne White and why did she write Sometimes a Wall...?
A conversation with a friend got author Dianne White thinking about different kinds of wall, both physical and metaphorical. Sometimes a Wall...is an exploration of these, and with it, an invitation to take down barriers and find common ground. Dianne's other books include Green on Green and Who Eats Orange? A long-time elementary school teacher, she lives with her family in Gilbert, Arizona. To learn more, and to download a discussion guide and more, visit Dianne's website at diannewrites.com
You can also find her on Twitter @diannewrites and on Facebook: Dianne White
This book is recommended for readers age 4+
And sometimes when a wall is exclusionary, the children behind it can be mean, and the child outside the wall can be hurt by their taunts and lies. When one boy inside a wall decides to turn it into a castle, after all the other kids work together to build it, he selfishly shouts MINE and wants all the other children go away. But sometimes, having your own castle surrounded by a wall and no friends can get pretty lonely. Perhaps a new start can turn things around because...a wall can lead to anything!
When I first read this book, I loved it, but I was also afraid it might be a little to metaphorical for my young readers. And it was. However, it generated some really good conversations and reflexions regarding what this book says about friendship, inclusion, empathy, kindness, and connection. These are big words and ideas for young kids, but this book so nicely illustrates what they mean using the sparest of text and simple, but expressive illustrations. We've read Sometimes a Wall... a number of times now, and each time it get richer and more meaningful. The kids also had some fun with the two coloring pages (see below for the link) that go with this book.
Who is Dianne White and why did she write Sometimes a Wall...?
A conversation with a friend got author Dianne White thinking about different kinds of wall, both physical and metaphorical. Sometimes a Wall...is an exploration of these, and with it, an invitation to take down barriers and find common ground. Dianne's other books include Green on Green and Who Eats Orange? A long-time elementary school teacher, she lives with her family in Gilbert, Arizona. To learn more, and to download a discussion guide and more, visit Dianne's website at diannewrites.com
You can also find her on Twitter @diannewrites and on Facebook: Dianne White
This book is recommended for readers age 4+
amiefiremoon's review against another edition
4.0
This book is suitable for preschool and up. It is a good introduction for the basics of what is a wall, and also the deeper meaning of the reasons for walls and their effects on a population. Upper elementary children can use it for discusssions on current political climates and bullying, as well. The illustrations are darling and colorful, the text is simplistic. I would add this to my classroom library and curriculum.
Advanced copy courtesty of #NetGalley and publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Advanced copy courtesty of #NetGalley and publisher in exchange for an honest review.
smorrison4's review against another edition
3.0
I requested and received an e-ARC of this book from Dianne White and Owlkids Books through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
This was a cute story with simple sentences and single word rhyming text about how walls can divide and unite us. The illustrations were simple and colourful.
This was a cute story with simple sentences and single word rhyming text about how walls can divide and unite us. The illustrations were simple and colourful.