Can You Say Peace? [Hardcover]

Karen Katz (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

Children everywhere wish for peace

International Peace Day is September 21. On this day and every day throughout the year, children all over the world wish for peace. Karen Katz takes readers on a bright and colorful journey around the globe to meet some of these children and learn about the many ways to say peace!

 

Karen Katz’s bright and childlike illustrations are the perfect way to introduce the very young to the concept of peace and teach them how to say the word in twenty-two different languages.

Can You Say Peace? is a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1–In celebration of the United Nations International Day of Peace on September 21, the author of The Colors of Us (Holt, 1999) delivers another delightful foray into diversity. One side of each spread features a lively scene from a particular country (Meena lives in India), while opposite, a close-up portrait shows a child who wishes readers peace in his or her own language: Meena says shanti (SHAHN-tee). The last few pages make the point that no matter where they live, all children want the same things, to go to school, to walk in their towns and cities, to play outside…to share food with their families…and feel safe. No matter how we say it, we all want peace. The book closes with an outline world map with tiny images of the youngsters shown waving from their homelands, and a list of other words for peace. Created in collage and mixed media, the vivacious illustrations are filled with movement and energy. Katzs happy, round-faced characters and bold folk-art colors and patterns work beautifully to lighten up the message. A simple, buoyantly illustrated look at the wonderful variety of lifestyles across the globe and the similarities of children everywhere.–Shelley B. Sutherland, Niles Public Library, IL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

PreS. In time for the International Day of Peace on September 21, this bright picture book in folk-art style shows preschoolers in various countries around the world who call for peace. On each double-page spread is a full-page brightly painted collage of daily life in a country, from India to France to Mexico; opposite is a portrait of one child, accompanied by her name, and the word for peace in her language. Of course, there is stereotyping; how can the diversity of a country be reduced to a single page? There are also questions about what is left out. For example, Meena lives in India, but her collage pictures depict only the rural and traditional (sari-clad women doing crafts; an elephant in the distance). The view of China is similar, but American Emily is shown next to a view of high-tech, urban New York City. Most useful is the clear world map on the last page, showing where the children come from, the languages they speak, and a list of more countries with their words for peace. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition edition (July 25, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805078932
• ISBN-13: 978-0805078930
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,480 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #98 in Books > Children's Books > Holidays & Celebrations > Non-religious

More About the Author

Check out my newest book WIGGLE YOUR TOES! A Book to pull,fluff, and wiggle!

I have always been interested in folk art from around the world, Indian miniatures, Mexican ceramics, fabrics, Chagall, Matisse, children's art, and primitive painting, and I love to paint and experiment with pattern, texture, collage and color. The careers I've had--as a costume designer, a quilt maker, a fabric artist, and a graphic designer--have taken all these interests into account. Looking back, I can see that these passions and career choices have played a large part in influencing me to become a children's book author and illustrator.

But most importantly, it was after my husband and I adopted our daughter from Guatemala that I was inspired to do a children's book for her. My first book, Over the Moon, was the story of that magical experience of welcoming our daughter Lena into our lives. I painted, I drew, I collaged, and I wrote, and after working very hard... a beautiful book was born! Twenty-two books later, my daughter--now fourteen years old--still is an inspiration for me.

I am fascinated by babies and little kids. The simplest words and gestures can make them laugh. Sometimes standing in line at the supermarket and watching kids in grocery carts, my best ideas are born.

I am fascinated by people from all over the world and what they look like and how they live and the differences that make us all unique.

When an idea pops into my head I ask these questions:
Will a child want to read this book?
Will a parent want to read this book with their child?
Will this book make a parent and child feel something?
Is there something visual here that will hold a child's interest?
Will a child see something in a different way after reading this book?
If the answer is yes, then I know I'm on the right track.

I am very lucky to get to do what I do. Everyday I go into my studio and have fun. Don't get me wrong, some days are very frustrating. Sometimes the colors are all wrong and the words don't sound right. But after I work at it for a while...and try to do it a different way...and think...and change the words or colors...and try some more...suddenly, there it is--a great page of writing, or a great illustration. And nothing is more satisfying than that.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely illustrations accompany an important message, September 30, 2006

By 

Janey's Mom "Jill" (PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Can You Say Peace? (Hardcover)

My almost 2-year old is very fond of Karen Katz's artwork. We have several of her lift-the-flap books, which are really fun for my daughter and we always enjoy interacting with Karen Katz's "kids". Can You Say Peace offers the same fun, eye-catching artwork that makes Katz's books colorful and unique, but also offers the opporunity to talk about peace on a very basic level with even the littlest kids. I love to hear my daughter imitate me as I say the word "peace" in the various languages in the book and she enjoys the pictures, the words, and the simple story. The last page of the book shows all of the kids from the story together on a 2-page spread and my daughter loves to match each child up with his/her word for peace. Lovely illustrations, lovely message. This is one of our current favorites, and as a mom, I so appreciate the simply presented yet important message!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unites Children in a Profound Way, August 3, 2008

By 

J. L. Hawthorn "activistmama" (homebirth blessed house) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Can You Say Peace? (Hardcover)

What could be more important for children and families to understand than the simple desire which unites us all-- our need for peace-filled communities.
Karen Katz does a lovely job of highlighting our uniquely varied cultural differences, like language, while pulling us together through our common goal for PEACE! This book is a must have for any child growing up on planet Earth.
We have been sharing this story with our children for the past year and both my kids, aged 2 and 3, will now speak out for "peace" in each language while we read! KURTUKU!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can You Say Great Book?, December 28, 2007

By 

Christine (Minneapolis, Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Can You Say Peace? (Hardcover)

You can't go wrong with any Karen Katz book, but, this is my favorite one of hers so far. It has all the ingredients of a great children's book. It also makes a great gift, a classic.