Love Is Powerful

K-Gr 2--As hundreds of thousands of people flood the streets of New York City, a mother helps her daughter make a sign for a march. Set during the 2017 Women's March, this book seeks to show children how they can find their own voices in the middle of a large, vocal crowd. Pham's beautiful watercolor illustrations portray women and men of all races and ages, many wearing iconic two-eared pink hats. Together, their voices take the form of red hearts and soar into the empty sky. The story itself doesn't address the reasons for the women's march, but the book concludes with a letter by "Mari" explaining some of the march's purpose. Although the letter is shown alongside a picture of the real young girl who inspired Brewer's story, it is unclear whether this letter was written by the real Mari or by the author. VERDICT It's time to unpack activism for the picture book crowd, and this story conveys both the optimistic energy of peaceful mass protests and the exhilaration of what it's like to demonstrate with large crowds.--Chance Lee Joyner, Haverhill P.L., MA

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Inspired by a young friend of the author's who participated in the January 2017 New York City Women's March, Brewer presents an endearing portrait of a Black mother and daughter who take part in a citywide protest. Preparing a crayoned sign with "a message for the world," Mari wonders how the world will hear or see it; her mother reassures her that others will receive the missive "because love is powerful." Pham's warm multimedia illustrations feature an inclusive crowd that calls and echoes the titular refrain, and spirals of hearts that radiate outward. Though readers won't walk away with an understanding of motivations behind the march, this personal tale conveys the importance of showing up and the power of collaborative action. A note from the real-life Mari brings the book to a sincere conclusion. Ages 5-8. (Sept.)

Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

This feel-good tale can serve as an accessible starting place or to augment such books as Shane Evans' We March (2012) and other stories that delve deeper into the reasons why people march and protest...note from and photograph of the real Mari at book's end charmingly grounds it. Lots of heart.
—Kirkus Reviews

It's time to unpack activism for the picture book crowd, and this story conveys both the optimistic energy of peaceful mass protests and the exhilaration of what it's like to demonstrate with large crowds.
—School Library Journal Online

Inspired by a young friend of the author's who participated in the January 2017 New York City Women's March, Brewer presents an endearing portrait of a Black mother and daughter who take part in a citywide protest...this personal tale conveys the importance of showing up and the power of collaborative action. A note from the real-life Mari brings the book to a sincere conclusion.
—Publishers Weekly