In December of 1980, the world lost a somewhat controversial artist, John Lennon. I think all would agree though that Lennon's legacy was his appeal for peace in the world.
Peace is on the mind of many when the world is an unsettled place, and children's authors are no exception.
Author Doreen Rappaport did a wonderful job of conveying Martin Luther King's vision in her book "Martin's Big Words."
Rappaport returns with illustrator Bryan Collier, using the same format has created, "John's Secret Dreams, The Life of John Lennon" (Hyperion Books For Young Children, $16.99).
Using Lennon's lyrics as the backdrop of the pages, Rappaport follows Lennon from his childhood in Liverpool, England, to his rise as "one of the greatest figures in the history of popular music."
At the height of his career with the Beatles, Lennon left. "I don't believe in the Beatles.
I just believe in me. Yoko (Ono) and me. And that's my reality.
"Lennon and Ono "wanted to end violence."
"All we are saying is give peace a chance."
"John dreamed about being sixty and being with Yoko.
"
"Growing old along with me, the best is yet to be, when our time has come, we will be as one."
"That dream did not come true. Now it is up to us to make John's dream for the world come true .
.."
"Imagine all the people living life in peace, you may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.
I hope some day you'll join us and the world will live as one."
"The Librarian of Basra" (Harcourt, $16) written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter tells the true story of another peacemaker, Alia Muhammad Baker.
Baker is the librarian in Basra, Iraq.
After hearing talk of war, she " worries that the fires of war will destroy the books, which are more precious to her than mountains of gold. The books are in every language — new books, ancient books, even a biography of Muhammad that is seven hundred years old. She asks the governor for permission to move them to a safe place.
He refuses. So Alia takes matters into her own hands. Secretly, she brings books home every night, filling her car late after work.
"
With the help of a neighbor the books are hidden in a local restaurant. War does come and the library is burned.
"Alia waits.
She waits for the war to end. She waits and dreams of peace. She waits and dreams of a new library.
But until then, the books are safe — safe with the librarian of Basra."
"What Does Peace Feel Like?"(Atheneum Books for Young Readers, $14.
95), is a question posed by author/illustrator V. Radunsky.
With the help of "children just like you around the world,"he illustrates the answers.
"Like hugs your friends give you when you cry...
like the fur of my adorable cat, Alice...
like the fur of a baby mouse...
like a lot of fun because you know you are safe...
like someone stroking your back; you shiver a little, but it's a wonderful feeling."
Radunsky notes, "Just imagine what we could build with peace. I can't draw it here.
A book is too small for that."
Todd Parr offers "The Peace Book" (Little, Brown and Co., $15.
99).
With simple drawings that are filled with bold colors, Parr describes such concepts as, "Peace is making new friends. Peace is keeping the water blue for all the fish.
Peace is listening to different kinds of music."
He concludes, "Peace is being different, feeling good about yourself, and helping others. The world is a better place because of YOU!
"
Here's to peace in 2005, and more good books.
Educator Debbie Shouldersfocuses on children's literature. Write her at The Leaf-Chronicle or e-mail at shoulded@k12tn.
net.
News RSS