Review by Booklist Review
The separate journeys of two different families, who have similar needs, hopes, and dreams, converge in this thought-provoking Turkish import. The parallel stories unfold simultaneously on each double-page spread. On the left side, "somewhere in the world," fireworks light up the night; on the right side, "somewhere else in the world," bombs fall from the sky. In the morning, a young boy and his mother leave their home and head out on a fun-filled day exploring their city. On the facing page, a young girl and her father flee their war-torn city, seeking safety. Throughout their travels, both parents tell their children, "Hold my hand," "Be careful," and "Watch your step." While the words are the same, Bulgarian artist Sönmezay's luminous and affecting oil paintings reveal vastly different circumstances. The girl's beloved pet goldfish follows her through every scene and grows symbolically bigger and bigger throughout her exodus--a reminder of the everlasting ties to her homeland, as well as a glowing beacon of hope for the future. Both families end up on the same amusement park ride, "trading places until everyone understands they are all riding the same Ferris wheel." An author's note shares personal experiences and reflections. This expertly designed, empathetic picture book powerfully conveys how life can be suddenly upturned.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The fates of two children--a boy on an outing and a girl escaping from conflict--are contrasted in this taut parallel telling by Turkish author Kozikog˘lu and Bulgarian illustrator Sönmezay. In an early spread, a boy snuggled with a stuffed animal on the verso is woken by his Mama: "Say goodbye to Teddy. He will be here when you get home." On the recto, a departing girl woken by her father reaches for a fishbowl: "Say goodbye to Fish," Papa says. "He will be with you in your heart." As the bright orange fish floats in the air behind the girl, paired frames continue. Mama warns about cars in the street: "Watch out." On the facing page, in a city that bears signs of warfare, Papa offers the same warning about an approaching tank. The four, portrayed in painterly art with pale skin and dark hair, end up at a fair together, waiting to ride an orange Ferris wheel. When they board it, it "turns... around and around, trading places until everyone understands they are all riding the same Ferris wheel." An author's note provides context for this thoughtful title about "the dreams we share, and our universal right to seek safety." Ages 4--7. (Dec.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Horn Book Review
In the first double-page spread of this Turkish import, readers see a boy and girl, each in their respective homes "somewhere in the world." The boy looks out the window with delight as fireworks flash; the girl sleeps while what is revealed on the next spread to be a bomb falls near her window. The rest of the book, spread by spread and with nearly identical dialogue, juxtaposes the two different journeys of the boy and his mother and the girl and her father. One is safe and comfortable while the other is steeped in danger. In one striking spread, the boy leans over a bridge to point at a swan. "Don't get too close to the edge," says his mother. On the recto, the father says the same to the girl, now a war refugee, as they navigate a small raft in the water, leaving the country they knew as home. A tangerine-colored fish follows the girl; it grows progressively in size, representing her longing for the home she has left. Both parent-child pairs end up at the same fair on a Ferris wheel, a symbol of global interconnection. "Who knows whose turn it will be to pack a bag," the author writes in a closing note. This sensitive story should prompt readers to consider that idea along with the importance of empathy when encountering strangers. Julie DanielsonMarch/April 2024 p.71 (c) Copyright 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
This Turkish import follows parallel stories centering on families in vastly different situations. On the left-hand side of a double-page spread, a mother and son step outside. Their neighborhood has challenges: construction, busy intersections. The mother takes her son's hand and tells him, "Be careful." The right-hand side of each spread shows a father and his daughter also facing difficulties: rubble from explosions, tanks in the street. "Be careful," the father warns. As they pass a candy store, each child eagerly looks inside. "No, dear," says the mother, "not before lunch." But the father, seeing broken glass and spilled candy, says, "No dear, not anymore." The two families continue to engage in similar actions but in very different circumstances. At each step, an adored pet fish that the girl must leave behind floats gently in the sky next to the father/daughter duo. Kozikoğlu's author's note states that conflict in her native Turkey inspired the book and explains that the fish symbolizes "longing for the home left behind as well as hope for the future." Its orange scales are echoed in the compelling art, shining bright and conveying hope. Each family ends up on a Ferris wheel as this tender, cleverly told tale reminds readers that we're all on the same ride, no matter how different our lives may seem. Characters are tan-skinned and dark-haired. The disparities may seem stark, but the similarities resonate the deepest. (Picture book. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
