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beths0103's review
5.0
Amanda Gorman writes a moving testament to inclusivity and embracing change. This beautiful story begins with one young girl playing her song with just a guitar, and as the story progresses, many different faces, voices, and instruments join her as a reminder that our diversity is what makes us great.
litagentsaritza's review
4.0
A Children’s anthem in lyrical prose and sweeping illustrations that really resonates while also become a book you’ll always remember.
mnboyer's review
4.0
A young black girl travels through the city with her guitar, singing an anthem for children. Along the way, she sees gorgeous murals that honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She and another young boy then pick up litter and bag it. Together, the pair then offer food to individuals living on the streets. They help bring an elderly woman groceries, then help build a ramp for a young kid in a wheelchair. As they do each thing, a child with an instrument is added to the group. The moral: the change you want to see in the world begins with you!
How to Use This Book: Using this book, an educator can get students to start thinking about what little things they can do in their community to make it better. We live in a world where a lot of people complain, but very few do something about it. This book asks kids to take steps to do better and fix things: you could do something simple like pick up trash or something complex like build a ramp to make a building more accessible for another person. I would read this to youth and then ask them what change they want to see in the world, then ask how they’re going to help make that change.
Personal Response: I think this is a great book about community activism that can really get kids thinking about their role within the community. Trusting kids to do more than just be bystanders, this book challenges kids to start making small differences in the world around them. While this book focuses on black-centered community, the moral of the story could be used everywhere. I don’t know if the story needed the musical component (for my tastes) but this may be another way to draw in different readers.
How to Use This Book: Using this book, an educator can get students to start thinking about what little things they can do in their community to make it better. We live in a world where a lot of people complain, but very few do something about it. This book asks kids to take steps to do better and fix things: you could do something simple like pick up trash or something complex like build a ramp to make a building more accessible for another person. I would read this to youth and then ask them what change they want to see in the world, then ask how they’re going to help make that change.
Personal Response: I think this is a great book about community activism that can really get kids thinking about their role within the community. Trusting kids to do more than just be bystanders, this book challenges kids to start making small differences in the world around them. While this book focuses on black-centered community, the moral of the story could be used everywhere. I don’t know if the story needed the musical component (for my tastes) but this may be another way to draw in different readers.
katie_in_creativeland_'s review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
I’ve yet to read something by Amanda that I haven’t loved. Her words are so powerful. Highly recommend.
jennifermreads's review
4.0
Since hearing her at President Biden’s inauguration, Amanda Gorman’s voice resonates in my ears. I read her words and I hear her voice as if she is standing in front of me performing. The only reason this was a four-star rather than a five-star for me is I had a difficult time hearing her voice – and I most definitely wanted to hear her musical notes.
But this gorgeous picture book is a wonderful way to share her words with those in the younger crowd who are not quite able to comprehend the more complicated messages in her other poems. Together with Loren Long’s lush illustrations, a message of “you can be change” comes trumpeting through with rousing color.
But this gorgeous picture book is a wonderful way to share her words with those in the younger crowd who are not quite able to comprehend the more complicated messages in her other poems. Together with Loren Long’s lush illustrations, a message of “you can be change” comes trumpeting through with rousing color.
carsonrmowery's review
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
I have been reading some children's selections as I decide which books to gift the kiddos in my life, and this is included in that venture. This was a good one!
rizzykaye's review
5.0
Beautiful illustrations, beautiful message. Love that the focus is on your surrounding community.
molly_dettmann's review
5.0
A beautiful ode to being an agent of change, no matter who you are. Lovely artwork and powerful poetry.