Review by Booklist Review
This picture book shares the general perspective of immigrants with young readers, shining a spotlight on the Statue of Liberty, often revered as a symbol of freedom, equality, and American pride and dreams. On the one hand, Lady Liberty upholds those values here, providing a land of promise and opportunity for immigrant children and families, who are depicted in a range of diverse backgrounds, shapes, and sizes. But Engle, through brief poetic lines, also gives space to the fact that the U.S. has an embroiled history of disenfranchising and mistreating marginalized communities, including Indigenous peoples and African Americans. Colón's dreamy, textured, and vibrant illustrations, which have a colored-pencil feel, will help readers imagine both the positive and negative aspects of immigration and gain understanding of how young immigrants might feel. Ultimately, the text makes the case that the Statue of Liberty and America provide a beacon of hope for those searching for new opportunities and that, despite the hardships, it's a beautiful thing to love both your homeland and your new country.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The creators pay tribute to the torch held high by the Statue of Liberty, and to new arrivals on America's shores who respond to its call: "The powerful light/ of a mighty lamp/ shines/ for all!" The statue is shown against the blue of the ocean beyond, giving a sense of its scale and grandeur, while Engle (A Song of Frutas) writes that "the promise of jobs/ brings talented doctors, scientists,/ artists, singers, students, cooks...." Colón (Imagine!) centers children of varying skin tones and religions through-out: a cued-Black singer shares sheet music with a light-tan-skinned child, accompanied by a cued--East Asian clarinetist, while another tan-skinned child paints their portrait. Engle acknowledges some of the U.S.'s injustices: "a history/ that began with cruel invasions,/ stealing land from Native people,/ and bringing enslaved captives/ all the way from Africa." The book occasionally elides nuance in favor of mythologizing America ("Gentler waves of arrival followed,/ with newcomers welcomed"), but the grainy, organic quality of Colón's spreads, his luminous palette, and the grace he gives to the forms and figures warm the pages of this call to conscience. Ages 4--8. (Dec.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Horn Book Review
Lady Liberty's torch reassures immigrants from around the world and across time in this inclusive, celebratory picture book. Engle's spare, rhythmic text paints the immigrant experience in broad strokes, identifying emotional themes -- courage, pride, and identity -- that many travelers share. Colon's illustrations are more specific; his richly saturated, evocatively textured images capture expressive faces of families fleeing war and disaster, then practicing their skills and exercising new freedoms across the United States. A spread depicting a classroom acknowledges the United States' complicated socio-political history -- specifically the seizure of Native American and Mexican land and chattel slavery; the page turn is abrupt, but the message essential. This lyrical and thought-provoking read-aloud is both welcoming and honest. (c) Copyright 2023. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
The ever constant Statue of Liberty holds "the powerful light / of a mighty lamp / [that] shines / for all!" She shines as generations of immigrants join their families on our shores with anticipation and fear. She glows for the survivors of war, famine, and natural disasters. Her light radiates around immigrants as they seek acceptance, freedom, and equality. She doesn't dim or shy away from acknowledging the bitter story of the United States' cruel beginning; "her light leaps, loops, / weaves, and dances, creating / shared hope / for all." Newbery honoree and Pura Belpré winner Engle magnificently showcases the immigrant experience, exquisitely bringing stories to life. Her lyrical text is flawlessly amplified by illustrator Colón's signature deeply saturated hues and crosshatched textures. Arresting double-page spreads invite closer looks, from the harrowing journeys of refugee families to visions of the diverse children--future doctors, artists, and farmers--as they find new paths in a land that isn't always accepting of those that are different. Even as they acknowledge imperfection, both text and illustrations exalt the Statue of Liberty, which nevertheless "remains a beautiful symbol of freedom and equality, inspiring dreams of feeling welcomed, and of welcoming others." (This book was reviewed digitally.) Will inspire young readers to embody the virtues of Lady Liberty and welcome newcomers with empathy and acceptance. (author's note, illustrator's note) (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
