Peace

by Wendy Anderson Halperin

This lavish and lyrical picture book based on the Tao Te Ching ponders the eternal question: How can we bring peace to the world?

Radiating tenderness and reflecting the influence of eastern philosophies, a compilation of exquisite illustrations and wisely chosen words reveals the heart of where peace truly must originate: within ourselves. The beautifully intricate artwork, with tiny, precisely rendered details of life across the globe, complements the spare and powerful text that includes quotations from famous peacemakers. And with each reading, you’ll find something else to notice—such as the visual storylines that subtly play out across the pages.

Poetic and soothing, Peace is a masterful exploration of the true path to world peace and serves as a perfect springboard to discussions about bullying, conflict resolution, and right actions.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Poetry, Childrens, Philosophy, Cultural, Family

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 29, 2013

About the author

Wendy Anderson Halperin is a published author and illustrator of children's books and young adult books. Wendy has studied painting and anatomy at Syracuse University, Pratt Institute, and under the tutelage of David Hardy. In the 70's Wendy worked as an Art director before moving into her present work as a teacher. She trains educators, librarians, as well as attends conferences and workshops. Among her books are Bonaparte, The Peterkin's Christmas, The Full Belly Bowl, Thank You God for Everything, and The Visit. Her books have won numerous awards and have been translated into many languages including Japanese, Dutch, and Tswana.

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this truly wonderful book while visiting a friend today. she had brought it home from the children's room of the library where she works. It's essence is how to build peace one person, one heart, one home, one neighborhood at a time. It's filled with well chosen quotes taken from international civic, religious, spiritual, and literary people you (not your children) will recognize. And the art work is simple and lovely.

But who is this book really for. According to the inside cover, it's intended for ages 4 to 8. I would disagree with that a bit except if it is being used only as a picture book with parental supervision for some education/direction at their level. (Of course I'm not a teacher but am an aunt several times over).

Personally I see this book as for those 10 and up who will begin to understand the words and ideas and grow into the book with parents help adding to the process. I also recommend it for adults. We can all benefit from a tale of peace and how to find it in our lives. What a wonderful way to find it.

Thank you to Mary for introducing me to this book!

[Richie Partington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richie's Picks: PEACE by Wendy Anderson Halperin, Atheneum, January 2013, 40p., ISBN: 978-0-689-82552-1

"As I walk through
This wicked world
Searchin' for light in the darkness of insanity
I ask myself
Is all hope gone?
Is there only pain and hatred and misery?
And each time I feel like this inside
There's one thing I want to know:
What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding?"
-- Nick Lowe

"Peace begins with a smile."
-- Mother Teresa

I am sitting here, smiling, patiently waiting for a couple of my young adult friends to finish poring over this remarkable book so that I can write about it...

...Still waiting. Still smiling. There is just so much to look at and read and ponder and share in this book that is crafted from a mixture of hundreds of images, a multitude of philosophical quotations by well-known and not-so-well-known people, and a poem about finding peace that ties it all together.

Here is a list of those whose words are shared in the book
Jeremy Aldana
Maya Angelou
Kofi A. Annan
Carol Bellamy
Paul Bennett
Buddha
Leo F. Buscaglia
Albert Camus
Jimmy Carter
Roberto Clemente
Winston Churchill
Confucius
Dali Lama
Tony DeLiso
Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Wayne W. Dyer
Albert Einstein
Epictetus
Adolfo Perez Esquivel
William Faulkner
Beverly Flanigan
Anne Frank
Robert Fulghum
Gandhi
Maha Ghosananda
Kahlil Gibran
Whoopi Goldberg
Emma Goldman
Ernest Hemingway
Jimi Hendrix
Etty Hillesum
Daisuku Ikeda
Gerald G. Jampolsky
Kalu 'N Kalu
John F. Kennedy
Kathleen Vande Kieft
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Brian Koslow
Lao Tzu
Abraham Lincoln
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Wangari Maathai
Donzella Michele Malone
Nelson Mandela
Horace Mann
Margaret Mead
Raul Midon
Mother Teresa
Peace Pilgrim
Pope John Paul II
Plato
Archbishop Oscar Romero
Albert Schweitzer
William Shakespeare
Robert Alan Silverstein
Lewis B. Smedes
Meryl Streep
Thich Nhat Hanh
Rigoberta Menchu Tum
Desmond Tutu
Mark Twain
Frank Tyger
Neale Donald Walsch
Walt Whitman

Wendy Anderson Halperin's spreads here are made up of watercolor and pencil illustrations of people, creatures, plants, and settings from all over the planet. They are very child-friendly. Any four year-old will have a great time looking through all of the pictures. But, as you might sense from the list of those quoted, this is a philosophy book that can as easily be employed in high school AP classes as it can be shared with third and fourth graders.

One of the many things I really like here, having now gone through the book a bunch of times, is that there are parallel situations depicted in the images that advocate for the right way to conduct oneself. For instance, in one image, early in the book, an old guy with a cane is standing on a crowded train. Later in the book, in a repetition of that scene, we see that a young boy has given up his seat for the old guy. Early in the book, we see two kids tussling over something. Later in the book, in a repetition of that scene, we see a third kid mediating the situation. Early in the book, we see a boy watching as -- unbeknownst to the driver -- a couple of sacks fall from the back of his bicycle-propelled cart. Later in the book, we see that the boy has stopped the driver and is helping reload the fallen sacks. Again and again, those who take their time with this book will be rewarded with these lessons in right living.

"In serving the best interests of children, we will serve the best interests of all humanity."
-- Carol Bellamy

My gosh! I haven't heard Carol Bellamy's name in a while. I knew all about her when I was a teenager on Long Island and she was in New York City politics. There is just so much brain- and heart-power here, so many ideas that are ripe for exploration and contemplation.

PEACE is an absolutely beautiful book about finding peace in our world, in our countries, in our cities, in our schools, in our neighborhoods, in our homes, and in our hearts.

Peace, out!

Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.com
BudNotBuddy@aol.com
Moderator http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_... http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/people/facult...

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple poem is at the heart of this picture book about peace. Each line of the poem forms the basis of a page of the book and is also accompanied by other quotes about peace that bring a wonderful depth to the entire read. As one reads, it almost becomes a chant about peace, a reverberation of the power of peace, and when one finishes that peace lingers for a long time. When I finished the book, I immediately wanted to do two things: start all over again and also research some of the quotes and people I had never heard of before. There are quotes from all of the big names like the Dalai Lama and Martin Luther King, Jr. but wonderfully, there are also quotes from others whose messages are just as powerful.

Halperin’s illustrations are detailed and wonderful. The images are bright and speak directly to the sorts of peace being discussed. In those images and in the surrounding quotes, children will see ways that they can personally work for peace on small and large levels. There is a delicacy to the illustrations that works so well with the subject matter. They are inclusive, warm and joyful.

As I was reading, I noticed a quote from Peace Pilgrim, a woman I was lucky enough to meet when she was alive. My family hosted her for a night and she spoke at a small park in rural Wisconsin on the shore of a lake. It was that sort of person being included in this book that meant so very much to me. I also think about others searching for the new people they have found in this book and discovering her.

A lovely and powerful book about peace, this belongs in every library. Appropriate for ages 7-10.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful vision for mankind and a dear wish for peace on Earth. Two things make this book unique, the first is the arrangement of the illustrations. Every spread looks like a piece of stained glass. Elegant in its shapes, with each bit of "glass" showing a different scene based on the topic of that page. Most show people, but there are decorative and symbolic elements as well, such as: homes, ecosystems, and the patterns on creatures. The Earth itself is on every page. These pencil and watercolour illustrations are often separated by white strips containing famous quotes also relevant to the page. It is through the wisdom of others, like Confucious, Nelson Mandela, and Jimi Hendrix, that the author hopes to get across her message of peace. This reliance on quotes to back the relevance of the message is the other special aspect. The author's own words amount to a single sentence per page. She starts with the broad perspective of the world, narrows it down step by step until she reaches "our hearts", then does the opposite, expanding the view until we are right back at the beginning. Cities beget peace in neighbourhoods, but neighbourhoods can do the same for cities. This is the cumulative nature of peace, but it is an attitude that requires hard work to foster. Halperin's book is a reminder of the possibilities. This is the world we could live in. Her illustrations are full of diversity: different cultures, ages, abilities, and species. It is a world where everyone receives an education, little kindness occur all the time, and people protect nature and live in green places. It is our home, and if we work together, it could become a place of harmony, respect, and peace.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book summary: This book is about peace. This book is saying for there to be peace in the world there must be peace in nations. For there to be peace in nations there must be peace in cities. For there to be peace in cities there must be peace in neighborhoods. For there to be peace in neighborhoods, there must be peace in schools. For there to be peace in schools there must be peace in homes. For there to be peace in homes there must be peace in our hearts. When there is peace in our hearts then we will have peace at home, schools, neighborhoods, cities, nations, and in the world. There is also inspiring quotes and pictures on each page.
Grade level: K-5
Appropriate classroom use: This could be a book to be read and discussed when we talk about peace or perhaps at the beginning of the year when we are discussing classroom rules such as treat others as you wish to be treated to sustain peace in the classroom.
Indv. students who may benefit: Students who wish to achieve peace in their life and want to see the world as a peaceful place.
Small group use: Students can look at each page and get into a literature circle about how they can attain peace and explain it to their group or partner.
Whole class use: This is a good book, it is easy to read and have fun visuals and quotes so as a teacher this book would be good to read aloud.
Related books: The Peace Book, What Does Peace Feel Like?, People. Etc.
Multimedia connections: Available on hardcover, kindle, and digital.

[KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

"If you spend more time asking appropriate questions rather than giving answers or opinions, your listening skills will increase" ~ Brian Koslow This is just one of hundreds of quotes from this tremendously written and beautifully illustrated children's book about peace.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The message is wonderful and the illustrations are beautiful, the addition of all kinds of quotes adds impact but sometimes they are hard to read.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really beautiful.

[Tina Andrade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halperin, W.A., & Chaghatzbanian, S. (2013). Peace. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division.

No review source necessary.

Picture Book Soak. (One I can't wait to use with students.)


An illustrator wasn’t mentioned, but it stated it was designed by Sonia Chaghatzbanian. I’m not sure if that means the same thing. This book is incredible beyond words. Honestly. I am consumed with the concepts of consideration, equality, kindness, compassion, empathy, and everything else in that category. This book is beautifully illustrated in calming watercolors and has almost a comic book feel in that it is several small separate scenes on one page. All of the scenes are tied together with many quotes on the very things I just mentioned were important to me. Quotes from Confucius, Maya Angelou, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, and many more are sprawled across the pages reminding us how people should be treated. I can’t wait to use this book with my students as a way to teach the importance of kindness and respect. There are so many projects that could come from this book! The students could choose their favorite quote and research the person who said it, make up a song or a poem containing the quote, come up with some of their own quotes, make a poster of their favorite quote and display it in the classroom…endless possibilities! I rented this book from the library, but there is no question I will buy this book to add to my "must haves!" PErfect for all ages and ALL situations!!

[Emily Beasley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fiction "Twin Text":
The Most Important Gift of All, David Conway, Copyright 2006.
Rationale for Selection:
I selected this book as a fictional twin text for Peace because of the themes of love, family, community and togetherness represented in both books. In The Most Important Gift of All, Ama's younger brother is born and she sets off to find the most important gift she can give him. Eventually she discovers that gift is love, and experiences what love looks and feels like first hand. While Peace is a hypothetical description of love, peace, and sharing, in The Most Important Gift of All students will see application of all those ideals.
Text Structure and Strategy Application:
The text structure of Peace is cause and effect. The simple language stating how and when there will be peace is laced with quotations also explaining what needs to be done to achieve peace. My strategy application for the twin texts is K-W-L. First we will discuss what we know about peace, then what we want to know. After reading Peace, we will add what we learned but also any more things we want to know. Then we will read The Most Important Gift of All and students can learn more from seeing the ideals in action.
Adapted Book Review Citation:
(2013, October 7). Horn Book. http://www.booksinprint.com/DetailedV...#

[DJL · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very lovely and peace-granting book. There are so many amazing quotes to accompany the beautiful pictures both from Wendy Anderson Halperin and the children whose artwork also graces the book.

While I understand this book is classified as children's literature, I believe anyone can benefit from reading Peace. There is such constant strife going on in our world, it can be difficult to find even a modicum of peace whether outside or inside oneself. This book helps to remind us that there is goodness in the world, that one act from one person can make a difference, that everyone within the world is crying out for peace.

I include this as a book of "mindfulness" because of all the quotes found within and how they show us that peace is always a possibility and should be the sole end result. Compassion is a key path to peace, but it is a daily occurrence that we must practice each and every day with all of our decisions made. It can be tough to show compassion for a person who you feel has wronged you, but at the same time, they are another human being. They are a person who is going through their own trials that you know nothing about. So it is best to provide peace to oneself by showing others compassion and understanding.

I highly recommend this book to anyone of any age whether they may be going through a tough time or know someone who is. This book may offer just what the title says. Peace.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book while looking through the non-fiction section at the library. I loved the illustrations in the book and the message was simple for children to understand. This book talks about how world peace is up to each nation, city, neighborhood, school, home and in our hearts and how each is truly interrelated. Within the illustrations there are quotes about love, sharing, the environment, peace, life, beauty, etc. It would be a great book to read aloud to younger students but yet the older students be able to explore the book on their own because the quotes within the pages may be a little bit over the younger kids' heads. I chose the book Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen as the twin book to Peace. I chose Extra Yarn because it is a story about a little girl, who possesses a box which holds a never ending amount of yarn. When Annabelle finishes knitting herself and her dog, Mars, a sweater, she knits sweaters for her classmates, the people of her town, trees, buildings, and people all across the world. Sharing all of her extra yarn to make people happy. While this is a book of fiction, the message would work when talking about peace through sharing.

[Judy Desetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book.

The illustrations are beautiful and evoke a peacefulness. Many small illustrations fill the double page spread. Between the vignettes the white space has wonderful inspirational quotes from famous leaders both religious and political, poets, and others I have not heard of before from around the globe and through the ages from Mother Teresa, Confucius, Albert Einstein, and more about kindness, peace, and living life.

The concept is peace.... The book creates a full circle of how to achieve peace.
For there to be peace in the world.... you must have peace in nations, cities,neighborhoods, schools, homes, hearts.
When there is peace in our hearts... there will be peace in our homes, schools, neighborhoods, cities, nations, world.

This is a book to read again and again. It is thought provoking. It is not a read aloud book. This is a book to share one on one or by yourself. However, I am not sure it is one that students will pick up and read. I am wondering if it will be sold in e- book format as it is one to share on a large screen.


Recommend.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

How would you like a book that could be read a double-page at a time, starting important conversations each week for a long while? Following the eternal question asked in the Tao Te Ching, How can we bring peace to the world?, Halperin adds to that question by adding answers like ‘for there to be peace in the world, there must be peace in nations’, and then ‘peace in cities, neighborhoods, and on, until she arrives at our hearts. This is an important book, each page filled with beautiful quotes that are then illustrated in some special way. For example, with the quote, “Today more than ever before, life must be characterized by a sense of universal responsibility, not only nation to nation, human to human, but human to other forms of life.” The illustration shows farm animals. One quote that spoke to me as a teacher is “There is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children.” Kofi A. Annan. Everyone should own this book!

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very inspirational book about peace and what needs to happen to make it possible. It begins by saying, "For there to be peace in the world...there must be peace in nations. For there to be peace in nations, there must be peace in cities." And so on...

Each page has several quotes that offer advice on how everyone can play a part in promoting peace. Here are some examples:

"See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil."--Japanese Proverb

"Seek to build not destroy."---Neale Donald Walsch

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." ---Nelson Mandela

Probably not a good idea to read this book all in one sitting. It is a lot of information/quotes/big ideas to absorb. I'll probably read one page and then leave the quotes posted up in the classroom each week.

[AJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this picture book twice because there was so much depth in each image and page. The main text is very simple and follows a pattern (There will be peace in our world when there is peace in our nations, in our nations when there is peace in our neighborhoods, etc. down to peace in our hearts). I particularly enjoy that the pattern then goes back up through the different sections so that peace in our hearts leads to peace in our homes, all the way back up to peace in the world.

The illustrations are very detailed and each little box on each page is part of a greater story. This is a book that can be read and read again and a new phrase, image, or idea will pop out at the reader. I highly recommend this for readers of all ages and it is great for children in classrooms, at home, or at the library.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soft, muted colors quietly draw the reader into this book about Peace. The book is dedicated to your senses: To Seeing, To Touching, To Smelling, To Tasting, To Hearing. The font chosen for the books is “Love Ya Like A Sister.” It opens with, “For there to be peace in the world” and then each two-page spread is a visual delight that covers a topic. Famous quotes about peace, and additional text share how we can find peace in many places around the world. As Jimi Hendrix said, “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” Each quote is illustrated with Wendy’s detailed art. A feeling of peace and calm fill each page. This is a book that you will want share with young children and read over and over again. Perfect for gift giving!

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this book in my TBR pile for more than two weeks, but opened it on the day I needed it most. All the lovely descriptions in the world pale in comparison to the effect it can have at the right moment to the right person. I've collected quotations and lines of text since I was very young. These well-selected and placed lines of timeless text begin with a brilliant dedication to the five senses and concludes with a back cover quotation from Mother Theresa: "Peace begins with a smile." Within its pages those quotations are woven through intricately simple illustrations and patterns that suit the theme but reveal individual stories of their own.
It was worth waiting for, and returning to often.

[Angela Ricci]

"Peace" written by Wendy Anderson Halperin is a captivating graphic novel poem that contains words of wisdom on how to maintain peace within themselves and the community. Each page in this book is filled with quotes from famous people having to do with respecting each other and respecting ourselves. The pictures and illustrations are connected to the words that are written on the pages. This book motivated myself to be kinder to others and motivated the young children I work with to be nicer to each other. This book can be connected to other texts that highlight social justice issues. for example, when creating a text-set around "Number the Stars", this book could be a reminder to keep the peace and be kind. One of my favorite quotes in the story was, "Peace begins with a smile."

[Bobby Hougen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly one of my favorite books ever.

Although Peace is full of quotes from iconic figures from around the world and throughout history, I felt that Halperin's message was perfectly illuminated by the quotes and illustrations.

A few of my favorite quotes from Peace include:

"A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes."
-Gandhi

"If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace"
-Thich Nhat Hanh

"If a person seems wicked, do not cast him away. Awaken him with your words, elevate him with your deeds, repay his injury with your kindness. Do not cast him away." -Lao Tzu

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peace is a learned cycle. The author breaks down the cycle and builds it back up again with quotes on the topic of peace from great thinkers, writers etc of our time. Each two page spread is laid out like a story quilt with quotations appearing between watercolor and pencil illustrations. The total effect is calming and thoughtful.

A special treat is a two page spread of artwork created by students from various schools in Michigan (all are credited at the end of the book).

This is a book that needs to be read. It takes a difficult concept and explains it and its value in powerful language and detailed artwork that begs to be revisited time and again.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely wonderful. It features quotes from many peace-makers, from Nelson Mandela to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to stars from popular culture. These short phrases are easily discussed with children and easy to memorize.
It could be the basis of a class discussion about acceptance, love, and peace; or it could be a bedtime book for parents who want to share positive messages with their children.

Everyone - adult and child - would do well to give this book a few minutes of their time.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book shares a multilayered approach to describing and illustrating peace, almost to the point of distraction. You really must take your time to work through this one with images almost competing with poignant thoughts. Did I find something peaceful? This, shared in closing:
"May the sun bring you new energy by day, may the moon softly restore you by night, may the rain wash away your worries, may the breeze blow new strength into your being, may you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life." - An Apache blessing

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son picked this off the shelf at the library. I don't know how he was drawn to it, as he's 3 and can't quite read yet, but giving it a quick look-through I realized that this was something to borrow an bring home. I read it to him tonight, and now only was this a good book to read aloud to a child, but it is a good book to read aloud for adults. I truly enjoyed reading it, and it gave me a lot to think about. I look to own this book very soon so we can keep reading it for year to come.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept is very nice, but I feel like this is more for parents than actual kids. If you just stick to the main poem, it might be good for kids, but the quotes sprinkled throughout are not kid-friendly. They are in really small print, the words curve all around the page, and a lot of them use vocabulary that kids reading picture books would not be ready for.

[Jane G Meyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple yet clever picture book meant to inspire young readers toward the pursuit of peace. The integration of the quotes in interesting, but they are so minimized by the design choices that I would think most adult readers will pass right by them--and unfortunately that is where the story is really unveiled...

[Lia · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a librarian, I can use this book on so many levels. As a mom, I read it to my daughter and she connected with it on her own level, but I know as she grows, we will be able to read it again and again to take in the different aspects. The quotes around each picture as beautiful and the illustrations are gorgeous. Highly recommend.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful poem forms the basis of this book. Each page shares a line about peace. The illustrations provide examples to support the line on the page. Various sayings about peace are woven among the pictures.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book!

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and each page is filled with inspirations quotes about peace and kindness.