Welcome to the monthly children’s book review feature with a focus on diverse books here at Bird Meets Worm! My team of reviewers—Joan Charles, Laurie Young, Sarah Orgill—and I are so excited to be championing books celebrating everything from gender diversity, people of color, the LGBTQ community to ethnic, cultural and religious minorities, people with disabilities and developmental challenges to controversial topics, unique family situations and anything and everything I did not include. It is to say we take a rightfully broad view of diversity! We aim to shine a light on books that bring both familiar experiences to those who do not often see themselves represented in books and new experiences to those looking to expand their worldview. Here at Bird Meets Worm we believe in the power of story to build empathy and thus a better world for you and me and everyone. Look for a new review on the second Wednesday of every month.
(Please note that it is actually the third Wednesday of this month this time around! I'm afraid spring fever chaos got the better of us here at Bird Meets Worm this month, but nonetheless, we are so pleased to share this latest book review by the fabulous Joan Charles!)
THE DAY YOU BEGIN
Written By Jacqueline Woodson • Illustrated by Rafael López
Picture Book (ages 5-8) • 32 Pages
Published by Nancy Paulsen Books • 2018
ISBN 978-0-3992-4653-1
The first day of any new adventure is scary. When you’re a child, that first day can seem overwhelming—especially when your one desire is to fit in, to not to be different or stand out in any way.
Author Jacqueline Woodson pulls those old feelings from deep within her memory well. Through beautifully crafted and poetic prose, she touches upon some of those moments when a child feels alone and afraid, when "different" feels like a bad thing to be.
Her words dance and soar from page to page, borne on the colorful and hopeful illustrations of Rafael López. The pages are filled with movement, bright hues and subtle, recurring motifs that deepen and enrich the story.
The Day You Begin is both a celebration and an anthem. The book reminds us that we can approach each new day as the day we begin: the day we begin to see all the ways we are unique, and yet the same; the day we begin to have understanding and acceptance of one another. And that is a very good thing, indeed.
BONUS: for a special glimpse into Illustrator Rafael López’s process, visit his blog post here about the making of The Day You Begin.
Buy this book:
Barnes and Noble
Independent Bookstores
Written By Jacqueline Woodson • Illustrated by Rafael López
Picture Book (ages 5-8) • 32 Pages
Published by Nancy Paulsen Books • 2018
ISBN 978-0-3992-4653-1
The first day of any new adventure is scary. When you’re a child, that first day can seem overwhelming—especially when your one desire is to fit in, to not to be different or stand out in any way.
Author Jacqueline Woodson pulls those old feelings from deep within her memory well. Through beautifully crafted and poetic prose, she touches upon some of those moments when a child feels alone and afraid, when "different" feels like a bad thing to be.
Her words dance and soar from page to page, borne on the colorful and hopeful illustrations of Rafael López. The pages are filled with movement, bright hues and subtle, recurring motifs that deepen and enrich the story.
The Day You Begin is both a celebration and an anthem. The book reminds us that we can approach each new day as the day we begin: the day we begin to see all the ways we are unique, and yet the same; the day we begin to have understanding and acceptance of one another. And that is a very good thing, indeed.
BONUS: for a special glimpse into Illustrator Rafael López’s process, visit his blog post here about the making of The Day You Begin.
Buy this book:
Barnes and Noble
Independent Bookstores
Reviewed by: Joan Charles