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vtsarahd's review against another edition
5.0
Loved the gorgeous illustrations and the poetic text! Great classroom read aloud for Memorial Day.
perilous1's review against another edition
5.0
Originally reviewed for YA Books Central: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfiction/21510-rolling-thunder
A touching memorandum and homage to the armed forces—wrapped in a gentle and beautifully illustrated teaching tool.
The premise is simple. A young boy travels cross-country with his beloved grandfather to Washington DC, where they attend the Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom. His simple-yet-poignant understanding of why they are doing this, and the monumental impressions he receives along the way, are expressed in poetic verse throughout the book.
To be clear, “poetic” is not an exaggeration. Though this is a children’s book (with reasonably large, clear font), a tremendous amount of care has gone into the storytelling medium. It begins with an alternating rhyming scheme, but varies as the tale progresses—offering a range between two and four-line stanzas, and the occasional six-line couplet. It even ends with a terza rima rhyme that clinches the story with tender pathos. The cadence is pleasing and rhythmic, creating an engaging experience that both children and parents will find memorable.
“Motors growling, roaring near
Crowds that cry and wave and cheer,
Raising flags of white and black
For those who never made it back.”
Each page is a gorgeous work of art unto itself: Pastels, sepias, and charcoal in an evocatively realistic style, with a stunning depiction of light the likes of which would have made Thomas Kinkade proud. (Nearly every 2-page spread seems to be cast at sunset, save for the final page, which offers a starscape. This ultimately feels both intentional and deeply befitting the subject matter.)
HIGHLY recommended for all patriotic ages--those who’ve served, those with military family or friends, and anyone who either wants to pay their respects and/or teach their children to honor the sacrifices we hope they will never have to personally understand.
Note: To date, this is the first children’s book that has ever made me cry.
It has my emphatic endorsement.
“Rising Smoke and glowing ember.
Ride for freedom. Ride.
REMEMBER.”
A touching memorandum and homage to the armed forces—wrapped in a gentle and beautifully illustrated teaching tool.
The premise is simple. A young boy travels cross-country with his beloved grandfather to Washington DC, where they attend the Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom. His simple-yet-poignant understanding of why they are doing this, and the monumental impressions he receives along the way, are expressed in poetic verse throughout the book.
To be clear, “poetic” is not an exaggeration. Though this is a children’s book (with reasonably large, clear font), a tremendous amount of care has gone into the storytelling medium. It begins with an alternating rhyming scheme, but varies as the tale progresses—offering a range between two and four-line stanzas, and the occasional six-line couplet. It even ends with a terza rima rhyme that clinches the story with tender pathos. The cadence is pleasing and rhythmic, creating an engaging experience that both children and parents will find memorable.
“Motors growling, roaring near
Crowds that cry and wave and cheer,
Raising flags of white and black
For those who never made it back.”
Each page is a gorgeous work of art unto itself: Pastels, sepias, and charcoal in an evocatively realistic style, with a stunning depiction of light the likes of which would have made Thomas Kinkade proud. (Nearly every 2-page spread seems to be cast at sunset, save for the final page, which offers a starscape. This ultimately feels both intentional and deeply befitting the subject matter.)
HIGHLY recommended for all patriotic ages--those who’ve served, those with military family or friends, and anyone who either wants to pay their respects and/or teach their children to honor the sacrifices we hope they will never have to personally understand.
Note: To date, this is the first children’s book that has ever made me cry.
It has my emphatic endorsement.
“Rising Smoke and glowing ember.
Ride for freedom. Ride.
REMEMBER.”
shighley's review against another edition
3.0
I read a recommendation to use this for Veterans Day, although it's really about a different observance. Somehow rhyming does not feel like Memorial Day to me. My favorite illustrations are of the Wall and the sky; they are the most awe-inspiring.
luckyliza13's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! Stunning! This rhyming story for children gave me chills. Powerful.
pwbalto's review against another edition
4.0
This book, with its solemn message of remembrance and glowing realistic art, gave me goosebumps.
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful book to share with young readers to give them a sense of the pride we have in our military. Thankful to have this book to use around Memorial Day.
heisereads's review against another edition
5.0
Spare poetic rhyming text, paired with muted illustrations, creates a beautiful picture book tribute to our veterans. I finished and wanted to turn back to the beginning and read it again. A brief authors notes explaining the inspiration for the story is included at the end.