SPEAK UP! Out of the Mouths of Kids!

Clarion Books, 2020

When SPEAK UP first released last fall, I purchased it immediately. 

I loved it from the first reading  and have appreciated even more about it on each reread. What was evident from that initial reading (and in each return to it) was the timeliness AND timelessness of its language, message, and appeal.

SPEAK UP is written in flawless, flowing rhymed text by the talented and prolific Miranda Paul. The comparably talented Ebony Glenn illustrated a visual narrative of a "day in the life" classroom of diverse and enaged kids whose interactions demonstrate the direct and wise text with natural flair and convincing results. The scenes and text involve using their voices for friendship, gratitude, ally-ship, kindness, self-advocacy, rallying support for a project or cause, and more.The two-page back matter begins with an anecdote about the author's son who spoke up about a potentially dangerous situation, and her own practice of preparing her voice to speak strongly and clearly when addressing a group.

That is followed by six short paragraphs that depict real-life kids who used their voices to improve their lives and the lives of others. The page concludes with two brief lists of ideas about WHEN SHOULD YOU SPEAK UP and WAYS TO SPEAK UP WITHOUT SAYING A WORD. 

Ebony Glenn is a young and enormously talented illustrator who merits our attention for this and future works. Her characters in this book are comfortably age-and-grade non-specific but wonderfully expressive and individualized, allowing readers across many ages and grades to see themselves on the page. With bright colors, an effective mix of edges and lines, and universally simple shapes, her figures convey movement, relationships, and attitudes clearly, while allowing young audiences to imagine themselves capable of creating similar work of their own. 

Miranda Paul's work speaks for itself, and that includes past publications and upcoming  releases. She has a valuable guest post in a series called "nonfiction fest", for writers. If you are a writer, or caregiver, or teacher, or librarian, or KID, this is worthy reading, and fun reading, too..

As the title of this post says, out of the mouths of kids...

Last week our United States Senate spent time hearing and viewing the evidence that a former president had incited a mob to insurgency and undermined the free, fair, and repeatedly authenticated presidential election in November, 2020. I've always had more faith in the potential and authenticity of kids than in adults. Kids are open and eager to learn, grow, improve. 

Adults, not so much. 

Not  enough of them, anyway. 

That was evident last week, when the needed two-thirds majority of the Senate failed to find that former president was responsible and should be barred from future federal elected office or other civil roles. Some Senators who voted "not guilty" followed their vote with scathing remarks that condemned and confirmed the charges lodged, but used technicalities or fear to justify a Not Guilty vote. 

My hope for the future rests with kids. So many young people followed that process, and are growing up with books like these. The premise of this book is that SPEAKING UP is the right thing to do when it protects others, seeks justice, and defends identities. Kids "get it" that this is NOT the same as tattling, whining, or throwing a tantrum or a fist. Or beating someone with a flag staff. Or otherwise attacking our democracy with violence.

In case you missed my post on Valentine's Day, please check it out HERE. That's the day the CYBILS AWARDS for 2020 were announced, including the category for fiction picture books, on which I served as a Round One Panelist. You really need to check this winner out.