BookDragon Books for the Diverse Reader

Sometimes, it takes a village to create a book this magnificent. Award-winning author and publisher Gabriela Olmos gathered “[s]ome of Mexico’s best illustrators” who donated their art to create this stunning prayer for peace.

“I dreamt of pistols that shoot butterflies … and of drug lords who only sell soap bubbles.” For the past six years in her native Mexico, Olmos explains, “a vicious war against drugs has brought fear and insecurity into every child’s life.” But violence, alas, plagues our children all over the world … from bullying (the third leading cause of death among young people in the U.S.!) to growing gun violence (Chicago just last week!) to war (how many hot spots can you count today?).

Olmos inspires alternatives: “I dreamt that wars are always fought with flowers … and that soldiers prefer shadowboxing to shooting at each other.” Whimsically wishful, yes, but I wouldn’t be surprised if many of the world’s soldiers agreed. In Olmos’ safe new world, robbers would steal nightmares, while jokes would drive kidnappers far away.

With poetry and pictures, Olmos empowers children to choose strength and resilience, to “learn from city trees.” She channels those trees “who fight back and break open the sidewalks … and grow despite everything. And it is they who help us all to breathe” – especially after gasping too often at too many horrific headlines.

Need further motivation to buy now? All royalties go to the International Board on Books for Young People [IBBY] Children in Crisis Fund, “which supports bibliotherapy projects that use books and reading to help children who have lived through wars, civil conflicts and natural disasters to think and talk about their experiences.” Support the youngest survivors and grab a few copies to share … aren’t all our children worth the investment?

Readers: All

Published: 2012, 2013 (United States)