Peace, Baby!

April 15, 2013
When things aren't going right, what's the best reaction? Peace, baby! "Sasha, bouncing on the bed, / conks you on your sleepy head. / You could hit her, or instead / try peace, baby." When life squeezes you or when your friends or classmates don't act correctly, what should you do? There's a lot you could do to escalate the situation, but there's one response that's sure to cool things off. "Sofie, racing toward the snack, / nudges Nora, pushes Zach. / Should they elbow Sofie back? / Nah, peace, baby." Kids and toddlers are admonished in gentle rhyme to use their words, share the cookie or just offer hugs. "When you want to push and shout, / hoot and holler, punch or pout, / breathe in slowly. Let it out... // Say: Peace, baby!" Ashman's rhythmic text and repeated refrain will quickly work its way into little listeners' minds, and they will likely recognize the situations described on each double-page spread. Lew-Vriethoff's Photoshopped pen-and-ink illustrations have the look of watercolors, and kids of many colors will find themselves represented in the happy (and not-so-happy) multiethnic youngsters in the city- and townscapes. Excellent advice in a sweet and easy-to-swallow package. (Picture book. 2-6)

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June 1, 2013

PreS-Gr 1-Despite the saccharine first impression given by the cover, this book is a good addition to most collections. The art shows an adult and two children hugging against a heart-shaped background and announces, "When you want to push and shout, hugs can help you work it out!" Using three or four lines of verse per spread, the book presents a series of situations that would normally evoke angry, tantrumlike behavior from children, such as pushing. After presenting the situation and the typical reaction, each page suggests a positive, alternative, "Peace, baby" reaction instead. The text encourages children to change their own attitudes and actions by going with the flow and helping others to do the same. This laid-back, optimistic message will definitely resonate with many parents, who will see it as a welcome (if idealistic) method of addressing conflict. The cool palette, dominated by soft blues and purples with bright pops of bolder colors, adds to the calm effect. The illustrations add depth to the verse, and viewers will enjoy exploring the "background stories" as much as the main action. While the "Peace, baby" lingo is not as clear as "choose kindness," the message is the same, and it is certainly one worth repeating.-Anna Haase Krueger, Ramsey County Library, White Bear Lake, MN

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2013
Filled with common childhood squabbles (hogging, grabbing, line-cutting, cheating) and troubles (falling down, losing a favorite hat, dropping an ice-cream cone), this rhyming text offers a less combative and more empathetic, though often simplistic, resolution for each contentious situation: "You could hit her, or instead / try peace, baby." The wishful-thinking story features spry pen-and-ink and digital illustrations.

(Copyright 2013 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)