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erine's review
2.0
The illustrations were stunning, and the message is glorious, but the text itself is not as full or developed (or coherent) as it could be. Wanted to like it more than I actually did.
duke_and_turk's review against another edition
2.0
You can explore the idea of community and belonging and all that good stuff and make it into a beautifully packaged book, simple and well-illustrated, for kids of all ages, ala "All the World" (Scanlon) or "Peace" (Halperin). However, I was disappointed at the utter lack of substance in this book. It's only leg to stand on is Frazee's beautiful illustrations. This feels like a product rushed to cash in on 2017's political climate. Many books have clearly been published with this demand in mind but it should have the thoughtfulness and substance to have long lasting appeal. For example, "She Persisted," is "cashing in"/"meeting a demand." It's intended audience will pick up the book based on the title but will read it and find lovely illustrated vignettes of many women, some all-stars of school history lessons and others who are not as well-known. I feel that with "It Takes a Village" you are simply paying for a book cover.
jennifermreads's review
4.0
Working together to build a playground, families demonstrate how everyone can make a community better.
A terrific message has been simplified for the younger set with some fantastic illustrations. The author’s note explains it all a bit further but I would have liked to have seen some contacts or suggestions for where a reader could go to start helping their own community.
A terrific message has been simplified for the younger set with some fantastic illustrations. The author’s note explains it all a bit further but I would have liked to have seen some contacts or suggestions for where a reader could go to start helping their own community.
tishreads's review
3.0
I like the idea of this book, though I think the text could have flowed a little better at times. It is still a cute and inspiring children's book, and I know that if I were a child I would love looking at the detailed illustrations and imagining myself playing with the children in the book, helping them to build a playground (which I actually did as a child!).
One thing I found surprising, given the beautiful illustrations, is that there is no inclusion of children with disabilities. The playground they build "...worthy of all children" is not handicapped accessible. I know this sounds like a lowly gripe, but considering the purpose and message of inclusion, as well as the choice to show children from a variety of racial backgrounds, I expected more.
One thing I found surprising, given the beautiful illustrations, is that there is no inclusion of children with disabilities. The playground they build "...worthy of all children" is not handicapped accessible. I know this sounds like a lowly gripe, but considering the purpose and message of inclusion, as well as the choice to show children from a variety of racial backgrounds, I expected more.
babayagareads's review
4.0
This is just wonderful! I wish I could read it during storytimes, but with them being in such a conservative area, I'd have a mutiny on my hands. Isn't it funny that a concept as lovely as working together to be better citizens and create a better future citizenship could be seen with such derision? I would recommend this as a great gift for people who work with children, parents, but more than anything, kids themselves.
misscalije's review
3.0
Clinton’s message of community was especially poignant for the Reading Time that I used it: a fundraiser for Kids In Need of Defense. My quip with this book is that, even though Frazee’s illustrations are wonderful, it is hard to read to a group because many pictures are too small to see. I liked the message of Clinton’s words, but I think she could have creating a book with much the same message that had a more narrative flow. As it stood, the pictures held the narrative, but for kids to get it, it had to be narrated.
Good book, but I will be careful when using it again in the future.
Good book, but I will be careful when using it again in the future.
rebeccadanielle's review
4.0
A really nice picture book. I especially enjoyed the illustrations which were just lovely to look at.