Peace is an Offering

January 19, 2015
“Peace,” a very big idea, becomes more approachable and achievable when it is reframed as acts of kindness, comfort, and community. “Peace is an offering./ A muffin or a peach,” writes LeBox as Graegin shows a girl visiting an injured, bedridden friend. “A birthday invitation./ A trip to the beach.” Having established peace as something more than a cessation of hostilities, the collaborators underscore the importance of mindfulness and intent, distinguishing peace from perfunctory courtesy and niceness. An offering of peace really means, “Will you stay with me?/ Will you be my friend?/ Will you listen to my story till the very end?” LeBox (Circle of Cranes) can’t resist slipping in a few bromides (“Catch a falling star”), and an allusion to 9/11 feels unnecessary, but she’s successful in making a book that will resonate with both secular and faith-based audiences. Graegin’s (Forget Me Not) calm, tightly rendered, and warm-hued drawings actually do much of the narrative heavy lifting, portraying believable, ordinary children who are empathic peacemakers in their everyday lives. Ages 3–5. Author’s agent: Steven Chudney, Chudney Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.

January 15, 2015
A list of small lessons that, when added up, have a great impact.Peace is so abstract that it's a difficult concept to grasp. LeBox tries to make it concrete, encouraging children to practice small acts of giving, sharing and understanding every day. She follows a diverse group of friends as they find tiny moments of peace in the world around them. "Peace is an offering. / A muffin or a peach. // A birthday invitation. / A trip to the beach." Peace is also found in the answers to some potentially scary questions: "Will you stay with me? / Will you be my friend? / Will you listen to my story / till the very end?" The pencil-and-watercolor illustrations are muted and comforting, often with a glow of warmth even on the rainy-day pages. LeBox then offers direct, child-friendly advice: "So offer a cookie, / walk away from a fight. / Comfort a friend // Through the long, dark night." Even in tragedy (the text hints at the 9/11 attacks), peace can be found. Affecting and heartfelt. (Picture book. 3-7)

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July 1, 2015
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.

(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)