I couldn't help but come back to thinking about this phrase as I read this book. The book is a poem and the author, Libby Hathorn, said that the lines of the poem about active peace came dropping from the clouds and A Boy Like Me was conceived. Well yes, this seems rather fitting really. It is the words that make this book exquisite. Beautifully wound together. It came to life the way good poems do. Yet I had to read it a few time to think about what I thought it meant.
It is a very abstract and avant garde look at peace and I have to say, it is beautiful. Add to that Bruce Whatley's minimalist yet emotive illustrations and it just about takes off.
Peace can be found
and touched and heard.
I'll always know where to find you,
brave and welcome bird ...
I was left with so many things after reading this. What is peace? What does peace mean to you? Where do you find peace in your day?
I almost feel like I can't review this book, but not in a bad way, just that I think you must experience this book for yourself to see what YOU get from it. What do you see? I saw beauty, I saw fear, I saw humanity, I saw hope and I saw life.
Title: A Boy Like Me
Author: Libby Hathorn
Illustrator: Bruce Whatley
Publisher: ABC Books, $24.99 RRP
Publication Date: 1st May 2012
Format: Hardback
ISBN:9780733325670
For ages: 7+
Type: Picture Book
