Publishers Weekly
★ 07/22/2024
This moving picture book biography from Golio and Lewis explores the work that poet Walt Whitman (1819–1892) took on during the U.S. Civil War. In New York City, where he befriends ferry pilots and occasionally visits them in the hospital, he begins visiting wounded Union soldiers, as well. When his brother’s misspelled name appears on a list of wounded soldiers, Whitman hurries south, finding his sibling in Virginia. The poet stays at the camp to talk to soldiers and write letters for those who cannot, and army doctors eventually put him in charge of wounded soldiers being sent to Washington, D.C. Graceful, light-filled watercolor spreads depict hazily chaotic battles, city scenes, and Whitman’s face and faraway eyes as he wrestles with the pain he encounters. As one included quotation reads, “I do not see that I do much good to these wounded and dying... but I cannot leave them.” Reproduced photographs and more about the figure conclude. Ages 7–10. (Sept.)
From the Publisher
★ "In Golio’s thoughtful and tender presentation, Whitman is the consummate friend: 'He met their eyes with his, touched or held their hands, and read to them even if they seemed not to hear.' Lewis’ richly textured watercolor paintings of soldiers lying wounded on the battlefield and in the hospital, of city scenes and moonlit nights, together with images of the gray-bearded Whitman both in action and in contemplation, convey the heart of this beautiful story. In a time of strife in contemporary America, this emotive story centers empathy and kindness." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "This moving picture book biography from Golio and Lewis explores the work that poet Walt Whitman (1819–1892) took on during the U.S. Civil War...Graceful, light-filled watercolor spreads depict hazily chaotic battles, city scenes, and Whitman’s face and faraway eyes as he wrestles with the pain he encounters." —Publishers Weekly, starred review
"In 'Song of Myself,' Whitman defines the essence of his poetry: 'I am the poet of the Body and I am the poet of the Soul.' This picture-book biography covering Whitman’s experiences during the Civil War introduces readers to that “Soul” by showcasing his deeply felt compassion...Appropriately placed excerpts from his poetry, and a letter to his mother, underscore the deep connections between his words and his deeds...Lewis’s watercolor portraits of Whitman, staring at readers with his steady blue eyes, are nearly as realistic as the Mathew Brady photograph appended in the back matter. Hospital scenes are less detailed, while the battleground illustrations blunt the horrors of war, as Lewis displays a more impressionistic style. An author’s note providing more details about Whitman and a bibliography conclude this fine book." —The Horn Book
"In describing how Whitman devotedly gave aid and comfort to thousands of wounded Civil War soldiers as a volunteer nurse, Golio pays tribute to a great soul who matched deep wells of compassion with equally profound love for both his country and its people. Brief pull quotes from his poems and letters give the poet a personal voice, and his gray-bearded figure—at once approachable and charismatic—lights up Lewis’ hospital scenes." —Booklist
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2024-05-31
Poet Walt Whitman tends to wounded soldiers during the U.S. Civil War.
Golio opens his account of a sometimes-overlooked chapter in Whitman’s life with a grand statement: “America—it was everything he believed in. Friendship, equality, and freedom.” Whitman, distraught over the Civil War and a stalwart believer in the Union’s effort to end slavery, comforted wounded soldiers, regardless of which side they fought for. “The truth of war was not flags flying, but young men dying.” At first he did so in Brooklyn, where he lived, but when he learned that his brother had been injured, he traveled to Virginia to care for him. He relocated to Washington, D.C., to care for other hospitalized soldiers; he helped them write letters, brought them treats, and provided good conversation. Excerpts from Whitman’sLeaves of Grass punctuate the text: “And my heart, O my soldiers, my veterans, / My heart gives you love.” In Golio’s thoughtful and tender presentation, Whitman is the consummate friend: “He met their eyes with his, touched or held their hands, and read to them even if they seemed not to hear.” Lewis’ richly textured watercolor paintings of soldiers lying wounded on the battlefield and in the hospital, of city scenes and moonlit nights, together with images of the gray-bearded Whitman both in action and in contemplation, convey the heart of this beautiful story.
In a time of strife in contemporary America, this emotive story centers empathy and kindness. (further information about Whitman, archival photographs, sources and resources, picture credits)(Informational picture book. 7-10)
