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lisawhelpley's review against another edition
3.0
This book is not for the very young. I read to my 7-year-old and it was really too disturbing for bedtime. Photos were perhaps more disturbing than the words. I figured that out after reading it to him at bedtime. It ends very open-ended, which did lead to a great discussion about war in general, and what's going on in the world today, and his parents' opinions on the war.
backonthealex's review against another edition
4.0
In Alice Walker's poetic work Why War Is Never A Good Idea, she explores what war is all about using incredibly simple words and examples of how it wantonly crashes into and changes the lives of everyday people and creatures, completely disregarding the landscape and natural resources and leaving a trail of destruction behind it.
Stefano Vitale's folk art painted illustrations take you around the world, showing how different places and people are impacted the same way by war and, as you can see, he nicely juxtaposes what the lush green world of peace looks like compared to what the destroyed gray world of war looks like.
The rhythmic text isn't always the best I've read by Walker, but certainly she gets her pacifistic ideas across, ideas I can completely agree with. What really makes this a moving, effective work is the combination of text and illustrations. Each stands better with the other than they would alone.
And, in the end, seeing faces looking down a poisoned water well, Walker poses the question to her reader - What if you become war? Certainly, food for thought.
This book are recommended for readers age 8+
This book was purchased for my personal library
Stefano Vitale's folk art painted illustrations take you around the world, showing how different places and people are impacted the same way by war and, as you can see, he nicely juxtaposes what the lush green world of peace looks like compared to what the destroyed gray world of war looks like.
The rhythmic text isn't always the best I've read by Walker, but certainly she gets her pacifistic ideas across, ideas I can completely agree with. What really makes this a moving, effective work is the combination of text and illustrations. Each stands better with the other than they would alone.
And, in the end, seeing faces looking down a poisoned water well, Walker poses the question to her reader - What if you become war? Certainly, food for thought.
This book are recommended for readers age 8+
This book was purchased for my personal library
greategret's review against another edition
5.0
This is a pretty amazing book, although I would recommend adults read it to children alongside an age-appropriate conversation on war/violence. Simple, but engaging prose about the negative affects of war on the earth and people. The art is fascinating and has a color scheme that coincides with peace/war: colorful & lush vs. colorless and dreary.
eplkids's review against another edition
4.0
A poem by Alice Walker, illustrated by Stefano Vitale on the nature of War. A vibrant and disturbing look at the tragedy of war. This picture book would best be shared with elementary age and older, especially for a discussion on the sights that we all see in the media daily.
kay_reads_'s review against another edition
4.0
Dark, but meaningful message for older readers. Pictures perfectly reflect destruction and ruin of once beautiful places. "Now, suppose You / Become War / It happens / To some of / The nicest / People / On earth: / & one day / You have / To drink / The / Water / In this place.
veganemelda's review
3.0
Intense book for kids. The imagery is subtle and worded perfectly for children- still as intense as it's pictures. Don't quite get the ending, but it's late and probably a good ending all around. Leave you thinking about it for a bit.
gardenjess's review
4.0
Powerful antiwar statement. I'm not sure what age group this is for really - it's a scary book - though war is scary, and doesn't really check age range. Beautiful illustrations.
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