Peace, Baby! - Hardcover

Linda Ashman is the critically acclaimed author of more than two dozen books for children, including Samantha on a Rol, a New York Times Notable Children's Book. She lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina with her husband Jack Hicks, their son Jackson, and their not-so-peaceful dogs, Sammy and Stella. For more, visit www.lindaashman.com

Joanne Lew-Vriethoff has illustrated several picture books and novels for children and she collects children's books. She drew on everything as a child, including her clothes! She grew up in Los Angeles, California, graduated from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, and now lives in Amsterdam with her husband and two children. Visit Joanne at www.joannelewvriethoff.com

PreS-Gr 1-Despite the saccharine first impression given by the cover, this book is a good addition to most collections. The art shows an adult and two children hugging against a heart-shaped background and announces, "When you want to push and shout, hugs can help you work it out!" Using three or four lines of verse per spread, the book presents a series of situations that would normally evoke angry, tantrumlike behavior from children, such as pushing. After presenting the situation and the typical reaction, each page suggests a positive, alternative, "Peace, baby" reaction instead. The text encourages children to change their own attitudes and actions by going with the flow and helping others to do the same. This laid-back, optimistic message will definitely resonate with many parents, who will see it as a welcome (if idealistic) method of addressing conflict. The cool palette, dominated by soft blues and purples with bright pops of bolder colors, adds to the calm effect. The illustrations add depth to the verse, and viewers will enjoy exploring the "background stories" as much as the main action. While the "Peace, baby" lingo is not as clear as "choose kindness," the message is the same, and it is certainly one worth repeating.-Anna Haase Krueger, Ramsey County Library, White Bear Lake, MNα(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.