Abstract
Reviewed by: The First Day of Peace by Todd Shuster Meg Cornell Shuster, Todd The First Day of Peace; written by Todd Shuster and Maya Soetoro-Ng; illus. by Tatiana Gardel. Candlewick, 2023 [32p] Trade ed. ISBN 9781536207590 $18.99 Reviewed from digital galleys Ad 4-7 yrs Two societies, one in the valleys and one in the mountains, are peaceful, diverse farming cultures that live sustainably off nearby water sources. However, climate disaster comes to the valley people, with drought drying up their lake; likewise, up in the mountains, the rivers recede. Each group turns to the other for relief from scarcity but then hoards their own resources; while the adults bicker, a long-distance friendship between a valley child and a mountain child begins. As the water returns to both areas, the two friends sew dolls of one another, grow up, and eventually [End Page 337] pass these dolls down to their own children as a reminder to future generations to hold close the people of the other society. When a litany of further climate disasters befalls the valley people, and the daughter of the mountain child encourages her community with an outstretched palm; “love catches on” and aid is provided to the valley people. While it is clear from the afterword the theme of bigotry is intended to be prominent, it is executed far less precisely than the subjects of climate change, resource scarcity, and community aid. The dreamlike atmosphere of focal characters in watercolor sometimes detracts from the dramatic tension of the story, flattening the action. Nevertheless, the natural tableaus suit the tale’s pacifistic mood, and the daughter of the mountain child’s benevolent gesture makes for a particularly striking scene, with swirling green foliage gently urging the reader’s eye to take a leap of faith from her hand over a verdant cliff. Pair at storytime with Yolen’s more energetic I Am the Storm (BCCB 11/20) to empower young readers through any stormy weather. Copyright © 2023 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
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