Customer Reviews

The Peace Book

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've seen reviewers attack Todd Parr's books as having some kind of liberal agenda, brain-washing kids. It's an interesting argument. Imagine what it says about your politics if the idea of encouraging kids to be respectful to each other, if the idea of teaching tolerance, or of teaching curiosity about diversity strikes you as partisan. I want to be fair about this, and I would say that if any of Todd Parr's books can be labeled political, this would be the one. I mean, he does have an angle. He defines peace in multiple ways but it includes such things as learning other languages, listening to different kinds of music, and keeping the environment clean. So, if that strikes you as offensive then that's a legitimate argument to make. But seriously, think about what kind of mentality it would take to find such things distasteful. I guess the brilliant thinkers behind naming a missile the "Peace Missile" might find themselves at odds with Todd Parr's definition of the term. But I have to believe that most parents would be comfortable with their kids getting messages of tolerance and acceptance. Keep the frame of reference in mind too. He's not talking about legislation here, he's just conveying a certain outlook. And he does so with his characteristic gentle warmth and his characteristic limited palate of not-so-gentle colors.

I had the pleasure of meeting Todd Parr. It was at a festival in Copley center for kid's books. Sponsored by Target as it happens, and there was a little kiddie vaudeville show with shills dressed as fairies and witches talking about Target as the promise land. That was creepy. But Todd Parr was there signing books and he was just as cute and laughable as you would imagine. He drew a little doggie face next to his signature and asked the kids if they preferred a boy dog or a girl dog. Also, Norman Bridwell, author of the Clifford series was there with his daughter Emily Elizabeth. Emily is no spring chicken but she does look like her namesake character in the Clifford books. They were both very disarming and gracious as well. As one should be if they are out promoting books for kids.

I'm a Todd Parr fan. I think his books have a superficially childlike, unstudied look but are actually quite artful and sophisticated as well as being surprisingly affecting. The personal message from Todd Parr to the kids at the end of some of his books are genuine and expressive. Thumbs up, five stars.

If I had to pick on his books, I would be more critical of his "Do's and Don't" books, which are more proscriptive. Telling kids not to put fish in their hair is confusing if you've previously condoned that specific form of self-expression in the "It's Okay" book. But this is a frivolous objection. Don't take it seriously. Do buy this book.

I found "The Peace Book" one day when I was just looking around the bookstore, not really planning on buying anything. The cover is bright and colorful and since my children and I had read some of Todd Parr's other books I had to pick it up to see what he had written this time. I loved it so much that I bought multiple copies- one for myself, one for a relative and one for my son's Kindergarten teacher. It is a lovely book... Simple, colorful pictures, and simple, but touching and meaningful words. The idea of peace, especially in a time when our country is at war, can be hard to explain to children and I found the things that Mr. Parr writes about to be a beautiful way to express what peace can be. My personal favorite is the page for "Peace is being free", but each line and the pictures that go with them are just wonderful. This is the kind of book that you hope kids can take something from, and I highly recomend it.

I stumbled across this book at the library. I checked it out and I am telling my friends about it for their own children and grandchildren. This conveys the variety of different expressions of concerns about peace and justice. The concepts are presented in ways that children can understand: "peace is sharing a meal" "peace is keeping the streets clean." These are the moral values I value. The writing and illustrations are fun.

Quiet and subtle, The Peace book doesn't have a hidden agenda. It has a message of love and tolerance and how easy it is to make a small difference in a big world.

I bought ten copies and all ten are going to adult friends.

This is a beautiful book. Not only is the sentiment lovley, the pictures are bright and bold, and appealing to little kids of all ages. We began reading it to our daughter when she was just a few months old, and she enjoyed the illustrations and the soothing text. Our three year old loves it as well, and we have wonderful discussions about what "peace" means to different people. I have given it to coutless friends as a baby gift, and everybody has raved about it! Really, you can't go wrong here - just order it.

I love this book and have bought 4 copies of it to give as gifts. I originally stumbled across it in a store and gave it to my niece for her 2nd birthday. Since then each time my wife and I have been presented with the need for a gift for a small child we have come to Amazon and bought the book. I also got one for our church's childrens library. The pictures and colors are great. One line of text per page and the message is awesome. In a world where "Peace" is so often defined as the absense of war, it is nice to see a book with many interpretations that help to define the word for children in positive terms, not by what it is not.

"Peace is having enough pizza in the world for everyone!" What kid won't understand that?

The book also comes in two sizes. Both are fine, but if you are planning on using it to read to a group of children (at church, school, or a library) I would recommend the larger size.

A four year old boy seems to think if you are for peace you can't enjoy the power rangers and other toys with weapons. This book explains what peace is. This four year old boy seems to get it.

We received this as a Christmas present for our daughter and we all enjoy it tremendously. I'll never forget reading it to her as a toddler and coming to the page where the boy and his dog are thinking of each other and her saying "he loves the dog, the dog loves him. love, love.. two loves!" The illustrations are adorable and the message is as simple as that: love, love. I highly recommend this book!

I purchased this book for my staff to share with their students during International Peace Day. It's colorful, student illustrated and endearing for all ages. I highly recommend it.

I really like this book and my daughter (4) likes it too. It's a great way to talk about all different kinds of people, music, clothes, etccc