FICTION

What Are Words, Really?

by Alexi Lubomirski (text) & illus. by Carlos Aponte
Candlewick. Sept. 2022. 40p. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781536219807.
COPY ISBN
K-Gr 2–Text and illustration are inseparable in this book that encourages readers to think about the power of words—the ones they think to themselves, and the ones they say out loud. Lubomirski urges the audience to consider the impact of two four-letter words, love and hate, on plants as well as people, and to “try an experiment, where you change what you say/ and see if your life gets better in a wonderful way.” Unfortunately, the rhyme scheme is clunky in several places, making it frustrating to read out loud. The limited color palette—primary colors plus black and white—is bold and effective, and there are plenty of interesting visuals woven throughout, such as a soccer ball for the “o” in “grow” and a whale tail for the “t” in “hate.”
VERDICT Words do indeed have power, but uneven execution mars the message here; consider for SEL collections.
Reviewed by Jenny Arch , Oct 28, 2022

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