Two picture books that highlight school ideals! THIS IS A SCHOOL by John Schu & JOHN'S TURN by Mac Barnett
ABOUT THE BOOK
A moving celebration of school and all it may signify: work and play, creativity and trust, and a supportive community that extends beyond walls.
A school isn’t just a building; it is all the people who work and learn together. It is a place for discovery and asking questions. A place for sharing, for helping, and for community. It is a place of hope and healing, even when that community can’t be together in the same room. John Schu, a librarian and former ambassador of school libraries for Scholastic, crafts a loving letter to schools and the people that make up the communities within in a picture book debut beautifully illustrated by Veronica Miller Jamison.
REVIEW
A school is so much more than a place of learning. It's a whole community. In this debut picture book by John Schu, a well-known teacher librarian, readers are reminded how important each person is in building a school community. Starting with one child, the child joins a class that walks in the halls, learns in the classroom, plays on the playground, and helps each other as needed. Experiences that lead to growth and transformation, that require work, and overcoming mistakes, can help bring the school community together. The book highlights some of the ups and downs that occur in a school community and the importance of working together. Mistakes get made, students get stuck, community members get sick or injured, and growth continues. The book highlights the importance of school communities coming together to learn and grow. This book joyfully shares the wonderful things that can happen when parents, students, teachers, librarians, principals, helper, and staff come together for the good of all. While reality is messier than what one sees here, the book offers an ideal to strive for, and a reminder of the power that can be found in coming together to accomplish good things. Jamison's lovely illustrations are bright and cheerful and made me smile. A diverse community working and celebrating together shines in Jamison's eye-catching illustrations. A wonderful, inspiring book that provides something that the whole school community can work toward.
ABOUT THE BOOK
E. B. White Read-Aloud winner Mac Barnett celebrates individuality in a story told with tenderness and subtlety.
It’s John’s big day at school today—a performance for Sharing Gifts time. His bag is carefully packed and prepared, his classmates are ready, and the curtain is waiting to open. John is nervous, looking out at all the other children staring back at him. But he takes a big breath and begins. Mac Barnett’s compassionate text and Kate Berube’s understated and expressive art tell the story of a kid who finds the courage to show others his talent for dancing.
REVIEW
I appreciate it when authors write books about a variety of different children doing a variety of different activities. This book highlights a boy who has been chosen to share a talent at his school's weekly assembly. He's really nervous and the behavior of the children before his performance leaves the reader wondering how they will react to John's performance. Told from the perspective on an anonymous classmate, readers see John's amazing ballet skills as he does a variety of different moves (hooray for the illustrator, these pages can't have been easy to create). After he finishes, he bows, and awaits his classmates reaction. I found myself almost holding my breathe for a moment after reading this spread. I released that breathe with a happy sigh as the children stand and applaud enthusiastically. John is left with a big smile on his face. Would that all children were so supportive and kind. This is definitely a feel good book and both the writing and illustrating are outstanding. A great book to pair with this one is When Langston Dances by Kaija Langley.
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