Together

This board book by Damluji emphasizes the ways in which the collective can offer more than the singular in simple, spreads-spanning phrases that range from the more physically evident ("One voice sings a tender song// And when voices sing together/ they make harmony") to the more emotionally abstract ("One of us can love with all our heart// And when we love together/ we build community"). The repetition of "One...// And... together" establishes a rhythm ideal for readalouds while emphasizing interconnectivity, strength in numbers, compassion, and justice. Nagara's recognizable, textured style offers spreads united by an enigmatic frog motif and featuring people of varying abilities, ages, skin tones, and religions; many spreads centering togetherness emphasize the warmth of interpersonal relationships. Ages 3--7. (Oct.)

This book delivers a message on the power of collective action. As the book opens, a child looks at a lone star shining in the sky: "One star shines as distant light." After the turn of the page, the child now sees what looks like the Milky Way: "And when stars shine together, they make our galaxy." The book goes on to give a number of similar examples to reinforce the message of the power that comes from working together, ending with: "One of us can speak up for justice / And when we speak up together we create a world of possibility." In the current atmosphere of strife and discord that divides our country, this is certainly a welcome message. Perhaps, though, the board-book set is not the right audience. As a picture book aimed at a slightly older group with an information page at the end explaining some of the illustrations, it might work well. As it is, however, some of the visual references will merely puzzle a toddler--and some adults. For example, a group of angry-looking people raising their fists and singing together may not look like "harmony" to a toddler--unless they know about the New Zealand haka. There is an unexplained frog motif that runs through the book that may also mystify readers. Nagara's brilliant illustrations portray people of many ethnic backgrounds. A timely message in the wrong format. (Board book. 3-5) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.