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beths0103's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful poem that was written and read for 2013 inauguration of President Obama's second term. Dav Pilkey's vibrant, hopeful, and dream-like illustrations pair beautifully with the text.
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
4.0
Wonderful poem to discuss with students today. Beautiful illustrations by Dav Pilkey.
azajacks's review against another edition
5.0
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rainbowbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
I know the star of the show should be Barack Obama's inaugural poem, but it was Dav Pilkey's illustrations (which look nothing like what I'd seen of him before) that are the star of this picture book.
maidmarianlib's review
3.0
The illustrations are rich and deep, the poem is powerful but better for an adult reading.
elephant's review against another edition
5.0
Lovely, bright illustrations along with an inspirational poem.
tashrow's review
5.0
This picture book version of the inaugural poem for President Obama’s second term is a beautiful example of how poetry can reach young and old alike. Blanco’s poem stretches across the country, speaking to the diversity of our country, the universal things that bind us together, and the aspirations that we all hold dear. Faith, earth, sky, moon and more form a foundation for us all to relate to. This poem uses imagery that children will understand but also makes it bigger and larger and asks readers to see our country as a whole. Beautiful.
Blanco’s language is simple. He writes of “pencil-yellow school buses” and “the day’s gorgeous din of honking cabs.” He ties our every day experiences to larger efforts, to living with a dream, hearing symphonies in the city sounds, giving thanks, feeling praise. Just like with all the best poetry, it begins simple and then reaches up and beyond to the vision that inspires.
Pilkey’s illustrations are lush and lovely. Filled with deep colors, they show diverse people walking the same city streets, feeling the same things, worshiping in their own ways, and being one united country despite our differences. Each page has a young girl and boy witnessing together, seeing how united we can be if we try.
A poem that calls us to be better than we are now by being united and seeing the small things in life that are meaningful to us all. Appropriate for ages 8-11.
Blanco’s language is simple. He writes of “pencil-yellow school buses” and “the day’s gorgeous din of honking cabs.” He ties our every day experiences to larger efforts, to living with a dream, hearing symphonies in the city sounds, giving thanks, feeling praise. Just like with all the best poetry, it begins simple and then reaches up and beyond to the vision that inspires.
Pilkey’s illustrations are lush and lovely. Filled with deep colors, they show diverse people walking the same city streets, feeling the same things, worshiping in their own ways, and being one united country despite our differences. Each page has a young girl and boy witnessing together, seeing how united we can be if we try.
A poem that calls us to be better than we are now by being united and seeing the small things in life that are meaningful to us all. Appropriate for ages 8-11.
librarianryan's review
3.0
This is a beautiful poem. It makes for a beautiful story. But it is very 2012. Some things are universal in the world, but certain things like the 20 empty desks and seats forever are very specific to US tragedies. Dave Pilkey does an excellent job illustrating, but this is an adult poem. I think kids will like it, but may have trouble grasping its meaning.
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