Candlewick picture books with social impact [Review & Giveaway USA/CANADA]

Sanctuary: Kip Tiernan and Rosie's Place, the Nation's First Shelter for Women by Christine McDonnell

My thoughts:  This is a beautifully compassionate book telling the story of a depression era child who in adult life made it a mission to care for the homeless. Specifically the women of the homeless population. Seeing the dire need of homeless people in the US moved Kip's grandmother to be a person who fed those who came to her doorstep during the depression. A beautiful action that kind individuals did for the wandering homeless during the depression era. Seeing this kindness in action as a child and then later seeing the need of the 1960's and 1970's homeless population of drug addicted and war weary men faced moved Kip to action.

As she acted upon her desire to help she saw the bewildering need of women to have a place for just women to be sheltered and helped. So again she acted and she moved others to act.

A moving story and one that needs repeating across the world.

About the book: Before Kip Tiernan came along, the US had no shelters for women. Here is the inspirational story of a singular woman and what her vision and compassion have brought to life.

"Justice is not three hots and a cot. Justice is having your own key." --Kip Tiernan

When Kip Tiernan was growing up during the Great Depression, she'd help her granny feed the men who came to their door asking for help. As Kip grew older, and as she continued to serve food to hungry people, she noticed something peculiar: huddled at the back of serving lines were women dressed as men. At the time, it was believed that there were no women experiencing homelessness. And yet Kip would see women sleeping on park benches and searching for food in trash cans. Kip decided to open the first shelter for women--a shelter with no questions asked, no required chores, just good meals and warm beds. With persistence, Kip took on the city of Boston in her quest to open Rosie's Place, our nation's first shelter for women.

Christine McDonnell, a former educator at Rosie's Place, and illustrator Victoria Tentler-Krylov bring warmth to Kip Tiernan's story of humanity and tenacity, showing readers how one person's dream can make a huge difference, and small acts of kindness can lead to great things.

Carrimebac: The Town that Walked by David Barclay Moore

ISBN: 978-1536213690
Hardcover $18.99

My thoughts: Great illustrations in this children's picture book featuring a new folktale about a small, post-slavery black community. The characters are delightfully drawn and the story flows very well. The story presents a dark period in history when men-in-white-sheets threaten and try to scare residents of the black community. The story also weaves through a bit of supernatural or unreal situations that also cause those outside of the black community to be scared and then to threaten the small community.

As with most folklore, there is a mixture of the real and the not-so-real happening. And as with most folklore or fairytales, there is a lot of fun reading and enjoyment. 

About the book: A stunning feat of original storytelling from the recipient of the 2018 John Steptoe New Talent Author Award.

In a boldly transportive original tale, David Barclay Moore infuses history with wry folk wisdom, metaphorical power, and a splash of magic. The Civil War may be over, but times are not substantially improved for the freed Black citizens of Walkerton, Georgia, who are shunned by the white folks of the surrounding towns. One day, though, ol' Rootilla Redgums and her grandson, Julius Jefferson, arrive. Rootilla teaches the citizens of Walkerton how to make all sorts of beautiful things, and the white people can't get enough. But some aren't so happy. When a hooded mob threatens to burn down the town, Julius and Rootilla must work wonders to protect Walkerton and its people—even if it means moving heaven and earth itself. With exquisite cinematic illustrations by John Holyfield and a generous trim size, this portrait of Black endurance draws on the rhythms and traditions of African American storytelling to open a powerful window into the past.

Sanctuary

Love in the Library by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

ISBN: 9781536204308
Hardcover $18.99

My thoughts:  This is a sweet story about a young adult couple in a desperate, unusual, and scary situation and how they found love even under these circumstances. Romance is an unusual story line for a child's picture book - I speak of romantic love as contrasted to the love of others as a general attitude or behavior. 

The illustrations capture the essence of the story showing these two Japanese-Americans behind barbed wire, under armed guard, and in minimal housing. A dark period in the world's history and certainly in American history. And while I truly did enjoy the book and the illustrations and the realistic capturing of circumstances and Japanese-Americans, I would not select this as a book for children under my care.

The subject is presented in the story and in the end notes as a unreal, brutal, racist treatment of Japanese-Americans and I truly think that this subject matter is best left for older children and adult discussion. 

I hope this type situation never again occurs on American soil and believe that knowledge of the past can and should prevent repeating previous wrongs. 

About the book: Set in an internment camp where the United States cruelly detained Japanese Americans during WWII and based on true events, this moving love story finds hope in heartbreak.

To fall in love is already a gift. But to fall in love in a place like Minidoka, a place built to make people feel like they weren’t human—that was miraculous.

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Tama is sent to live in a War Relocation Center in the desert. All Japanese Americans from the West Coast—elderly people, children, babies—now live in prison camps like Minidoka. To be who she is has become a crime, it seems, and Tama doesn’t know when or if she will ever leave. Trying not to think of the life she once had, she works in the camp’s tiny library, taking solace in pages bursting with color and light, love and fairness. And she isn’t the only one. George waits each morning by the door, his arms piled with books checked out the day before. As their friendship grows, Tama wonders: Can anyone possibly read so much? Is she the reason George comes to the library every day? Beautifully illustrated and complete with an afterword, back matter, and a photo of the real Tama and George—the author’s grandparents—Maggie Tokuda-Hall’s elegant love story for readers of all ages sheds light on a shameful chapter of American history.

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DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary copies to facilitate reviews. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winners' prizes are provided and shipped directly to the winner by Candlewick Press or its representative.