(2) PS In her latest picture book, Frazee says she "hoped to capture and honor what we all have in common, no matter who we are or where we live." Each line of text begins with "In every..." and appears on its own spread with Frazee's signature pencil and gouache vignettes of people, young and old, epitomizing the sentiment expressed (à la her layouts for the similarly inspirational Everywhere Babies, rev. 5/01, and All the World, rev. 9/09). While the text is earnest, Frazee finds ways to insert light humor into her illustrations, such as a child using the potty for "In every hope, blessed is the doing." Wordless full-bleed spreads are interspersed between the vignette pages, showing wide landscape views with people finding peace and joy in nature; these offer viewers a chance to pause and reflect on that line's meaning. She also chooses a predominant color for each line's font and its accompanying art to aid young listeners in linking them together (e.g., yellow is the color associated with the line "In every smile, blessed is the light"). The affectionate domestic scenes feature a diverse mix of people and are a visual testament to Frazee's inclusive goal of showcasing the commonalities "in every life." According to her author's note, she's revised a baby-naming blessing that she attributes to the Jewish faith (the original source of which is unknown, "but it has been adapted and used widely in welcoming ceremonies of all kinds") by simplifying the poem and adding her own lines, including passages about smiles and sadness.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2023

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Sara Palacios. In this expert picture-book riff on the classic Caribbean folktale "La Cucaracha Martina," Otheguy celebrates big families with room for all types of dispositions. Introverted, story-loving Martina is overwhelmed by the noise from her three boisterous tías, who have come for a visit and a fiesta. With a pounding headache, Martina slips away, falls into a pot of bubbling guava fruit, and is transported to a warm island, illustrated in calming blues. On the island, she interacts with various animals until she finds the quiet ratoncito. In the end, Martina misses her loud family and makes her way back to her tías. She shares the story of her adventure, and her tías listen attentively. Colorful collages, digitally rendered, bring a sense of vibrancy. Palacios's visual representation of the cacophony of sounds in the overlays--in particular the page with all three tías--is bright and loud; you can feel the noise pop off the page. An author's note explains the folktale tie-in and explores the trope of the loud Latina.

Reviewer: Yesica Hurd | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2023

(2) 4-6 Twelve-year-old Elissa is a Singer, one of the few whose voice can channel the power of the goddess Caé and make miracles happen for her people. Lucio, seventeen, is her Composer, responsible for guiding her and writing sacred songs. Elissa has songs she wants to write, too, but she fears claiming more than one gift will displease the goddess. When their travels through war-torn Basso lead them to a governor and then a king who want Elissa to work for them, Lucio bends to their pressure (and to the pleasures of court life), even after the governor demands a song that accidentally kills an entire village. Elissa feels that performing miracles for the powerful isn't the will of the goddess--and when the king wants to direct her magic against the enemy, she puts her foot down. Bakewell crafts a spellbinding narrative that weaves the protagonist's guilt over the fate of her parents (convicted of heresy for trying to shield her from the church) with her motivation to write a song that brings peace, despite the impossibility of success. Readers may find their own religious convictions either strengthened or challenged by the portrayal of an absolutely loving goddess who appears in the flesh to make her wishes transparently clear to Elissa; others may gravitate toward Elissa's troubled relationship with the talented Lucio or the depiction of a devoted musical community.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2022

(2) YA When the United States entered World War II and Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated to various incarceration camps, the Takeshita family was sent first to Topaz, Utah, and then--because they were deemed to be "disloyal"--to Tule Lake, California. Readers are introduced to Yuzuru Takeshita at age fourteen; born in California, he had spent a good chunk of his childhood in Japan and had been struggling to re-acclimate. The narrative then shifts back to Japan to focus on a secretive large-scale effort to create balloon bombs that would be carried by wind currents across the Pacific and explode in the United States, causing havoc, panic, and fear. The bombs largely fail, but one does land, killing six people in a small Oregon town. Stone then segues many years into the future for the third section. Takeshita is an old man and has brought together some of the women who had made the bombs (then high-school girls) with the surviving family members from the Oregon bombing. It's a healing and cathartic process for all parties. This complicated story includes a large cast of characters, multiple settings, and several shifts in time. It's a credit to Stone that she fashions them into a cohesive, compelling narrative. Black-and-white captioned photographs appear throughout, while author's notes, source notes, a bibliography, and an index are appended.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2022

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Annie Bowler. Self-named Peace Pilgrim began to spread her vision for "a golden age of peace, a world with no fighting between people or nations" after World War II. This compassionate biography follows her twenty-eight-year odyssey, walking cross-country seven times with only a few personal care items and maps--but no money. Along the way, she spoke to anyone who would listen and relied on the kindness of strangers for food and a place to sleep. Krull's text is as unhurried as Peace Pilgrim's journey and emphasizes her subject's tenacity. Bowler's reflective illustrations convey Peace Pilgrim's quiet power. An endnote adds more detail about Peace Pilgrim's life and legacy and includes a source list.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. The lyrics to Stevens's iconic 1970s pop song are brought to Technicolor life in Reynolds's illustrations, which, as the media note says, were created using "love, peace, imagination, inspiration, and harmony..." A young barefoot musician joins a diverse group of travelers to "glide on the Peace Train." They make it through "the edge of darkness," arriving triumphantly to a cheering rainbow-colored crowd. Peace signs, flowers, hearts, groovy color combinations, and retro designs accompany the text, which, though not picture-book perfect, gets across a message of hope and fellowship. A note from Stevens concludes this joy-filled journey.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Rod Brown. The author recalls her father telling the story of how her famous grandfather, the singer Paul Robeson (1898–1976), "stopped a war." In 1938, his singing for the soldiers on the front lines of Teruel temporarily halted the Spanish Civil War ("The battlefield grew silent. No shots were fired"). The story's humanity is underscored with paintings by a sure hand.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(2) PS Illustrated by Bethanne Andersen. In this vaguely allegorical Christmas story, "a new star" appears, and a solitary bear searches for a majestic tree "that would be the center of all to come." He finds it, then calls forth animals as well as people from all over for a special celebration. "It was time... / for peace." Andersen's oil paintings match the story's calm tone, with friendly creatures and people of many skin tones reveling together on snowy, star-lit landscapes.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2019

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Le Duo. This colorful volume presents two-page profiles of both well-known and lesser-known activists (twenty-nine men, twelve women). The text (successfully translated from the French) is organized into fact boxes, and the digital illustrations are labeled with even more facts about each individual. The heroes featured are from all over the world, some still living today. Timeline.

Reviewer: Katie Darrin

(3) K-3 Adapted by Sarah J. Robbins. Illustrated by Joanie Stone. The Pakistani activist's memoir moves from childhood to her shooting by the Taliban to being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The message that "one child...can change the world" makes for an inspiring, upbeat read. Adapted from I Am Malala, this "first chapter book edition" features large type, short chapters, and spot illustrations. More on the Nobel Prize and a pronunciation guide are appended. Timeline. Glos.

Reviewer: Julie Hakim Azzam

(3) 4-6 Wonder Woman created by William Moulton Marston. Diana, Amazon warrior princess of Themyscira, rescues a World War I pilot who has crashed near her hidden island; she feels she has found her calling when he tells her of the turmoil in the outside world. This easy-to-read novelization is a faithful scene-by-scene adaptation of the 2017 movie and includes eight full-color pages of film stills.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Ward Jenkins. The Islamic greetings Salam Alaikum (informal) and Assalamu Alaikum (formal), meaning "peace be upon you," provide the poetic refrain for this picture book comprised of lyrics to British Muslim singer Harris J's international hit. The messages regarding love, peace, and community are augmented by (somewhat overly) cartoonish digital illustrations showing a diverse urban community of adults and children helping one another. Music not included.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) 4-6 Anjali's family joins India's freedom movement in 1942, opposing both Britain's control and India's caste system. The complexities of nonviolent protest (ahimsa) are insightfully depicted as Anjali confronts ingrained prejudices and discovers that unchecked privilege can cause well-meaning advocates to hurt rather than help oppressed groups. An authentic, candid look at a fight for social change, inspired by Kelkar's great-grandmother's experience. Reading list. Glos.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jean Jullien. Foreword by Yoko Ono Lennon. As a pigeon travels the world--by subway, boat, and sky--it distributes leafy olive branches that have a salvific effect on fellow birds. The pigeon--a bluntly rendered gray figure set against bold colors--is an inspired stand-in for the "dreamer" in Lennon's iconic anthem, which harbors the kid-friendly message that achieving peace starts with setting one's mind to it.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Feridun Oral. An owl describes how Baby Jesus bestowed upon the birds a "special song of blessing, of joy and good will." "'Why don't we sing it anymore?' asked the robin. 'People don't listen,' said the partridge." The birds decide to restore their song's hope and promise by singing to children. In this small-trim edition, delicate naturalistic illustrations capture the hush of winter and the transformative power of love.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2017

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Eliza Wheeler. In 1812, teenage scholar Max hires Captain Bluecrowne to search for an ancient weapon powerful enough to impose peace. When the captain is killed, twelve-year-old midshipman Oliver is given command; captain's daughter Lucy and Max persuade Oliver to search for the weapon's remaining parts. The idea of achieving peace through superior firepower is effectively questioned over the course of the fast-paced nautical narrative.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2016

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher. Angelou's poem (first read at the 2005 White House tree-lighting ceremony) is about the promise of peace that the Christmas season brings, urging listeners to "look beyond complexion and see community." The luminous oil, acrylic, and fabric illustrations on canvas, depicting a snow-covered town, add concreteness to Angelou's words. A CD of Angelou reading the poem is included.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Feeroozeh Golmohammadi. Goodall shares her plea that all humans and animals are deserving of our respect and protection. Her vision for equity, kindness, and an end to environmental destruction is beautifully and strongly worded. The illustrations feature warm colors and strong brush strokes. The expressionistic style suits the prayer, but the format and content are more adult than childlike.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. With many examples of humane behavior, this simple, quiet rhyming book features a diverse group of youngsters going through their activities in an urban setting, sharing, helping, consoling, laughing, and truly listening to one another. A subtle reference to 9/11 will require explanation. Graegin's pencil and watercolor illustrations have been digitally manipulated but have an old-fashioned, comforting look.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by David Shannon. Music legend Robertson, of Mohawk and Cayuga heritage, retells an ancient story of the Great Peacemaker who, with the help of Hiawatha, unites five warring Iroquois nations. The story is quite dark and complex, as the chiefs struggle to overcome their anger at past violence. Shannon's dramatic paintings show the Peacemaker standing stoically, surrounded by chaos. A musical CD is included.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth