Say Something!

by Peter H. Reynolds

Overview

From the creator of the New York Times bestseller The Word Collector comes an empowering story about finding your voice, and using it to make the world a better place.

A New York Times BestsellerThe world needs your voice. If you have a brilliant idea... say something! If you see an injustice... say something!In this empowering new picture book, beloved author Peter H. Reynolds explores the many ways that a single voice can make a difference. Each of us, each and every day, have the chance to say something: with our actions, our words, and our voices. Perfect for kid activists everywhere, this timely story reminds readers of the undeniable importance and power of their voice. There are so many ways to tell the world who you are... what you are thinking... and what you believe. And how you'll make it better. The time is now: SAY SOMETHING!"A motivational must-have for every collection." — School Library Journal

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780545865036
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	02/26/2019
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	13,864
Product dimensions:	9.30(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD510L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Peter H. Reynolds is a New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of many books for children, including The Dot, I Am Human, Happy Dreamer, The Word Collector, Say Something!, Be You!, and Our Table. His books have been translated into over 25 languages around the globe and are celebrated worldwide. In 1996, he founded FableVision with his brother, Paul, as a social change agency to help create "stories that matter, stories that move." He lives in Dedham, Massachusetts, with his family. Visit him online at peterhreynolds.com.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Say Something:"In this new effort, Reynolds shows readers a variety of ways a voice can be used, listened to, and heard to make a difference... Reynolds' hand-lettered text, set in white text bubbles against a mix of bright backdrop colors and patterns, deftly works with before-and-after illustrations to show the change that children can effect. This book's encouragement to kids to find their voices can also be used to start a conversation about how they can make a difference in their world." — Kirkus ReviewsPraise for The Word Collector:"Peter H. Reynolds always manages to walk a delicate line with his books - make that a couple lines: weighty but not weighed down. Universal yet kid-centric. No easy feat." -Travis Jonker, School Library Journal"Capture[s] the beauty of words and the wonder of sharing them with others... enchanting." — Kirkus Reviews"Packs a powerful punch... capture[s] both the joy of learning and the power of kindness." — School Library JournalPraise for Happy Dreamer:"The message of acceptance and patience comes through clearly, and the exhortation to 'carve your own path' and 'show the world who you are' will be appreciated by anyone who has ever felt misunderstood." — Booklist"Celebrates individuality, self-expression, and the joys of being a dreamer... a liberating validation of dreaming as restorative, comforting, and powerful, while giving kids full license to be themselves." — Publishers Weekly"A sweet gift to praise spirited individuality, this choice encourages readers to dream big. Let those sparkles fly!" — Kirkus ReviewsPraise for Ish:* "Ish...encourages readers to see the world anew." — School Library Journal, starred reviewPraise for The Dot:* "Simplicity itself, like the dot in the title, this small book carries a big message." — Booklist, starred review* "In this engaging, inspiring tale, Reynolds (illustrator of the Judy Moody series) demonstrates the power of a little encouragement...Reynolds pulls off exactly what his young heroine does, creating an impressive work from deceptively simple beginnings." — Publishers Weekly, starred review* "With art that seems perfectly suited to the mood and the message of the text, Reynolds inspires with a gentle and generous mantra: 'Just make a mark.'" — School Library Journal, starred review"It may speak to formerly artistic young readers who are selling their own abilities short." — Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

Winter 2018

PreS-Gr 3–The message that every person is amazing and has something meaningful to contribute to the world is what Reynolds conveys as he encourages children to speak up and speak out. "You can say something in so many ways—with words, with action, with heart." This powerful picture book will inspire readers to make their voices heard. The text is uniquely arranged in a series of "if" and "when" statements, followed by the words "say something," with a specific idea on each spread. For example, "If you see an empty lot… SAY SOMETHING by planting a seed and watching it bloom." Told in speech bubbles, the text allows readers to feel as though the author is speaking directly to them. The messages are clear, concise, and positive. There is an array of diverse characters; children from many backgrounds will see themselves reflected in the expressive and artful renderings. VERDICT A motivational must-have for every collection.—Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DE

School Library Journal

2018-11-12

In this new effort, Reynolds shows readers a variety of ways a voice can be used, listened to, and heard to make a difference.

Each spread shows an example of how someone can change something or a situation "with words, with action, with creativity." The book opens on a young black girl who's exhorted by an unseen narrator via speech bubble: "The world needs your voice." Through many scenarios ("If you see someone lonely…"; "If you see an empty canvas…"), the narrator encourages children to take action in many ways. A young child can speak up "with a poem" or "by planting a seed and watching it bloom." These scenarios are enacted by a diverse group of kids, including many with various skin tones and hair textures, a child in a wheelchair, and one with glasses; ethnically or religiously specific accouterments are absent, however. Details such as the legends on T-shirts or protest signs ("Make more light"; "Shalom"; "I have a dream"; "I persist") reinforce the message. Reynolds' hand-lettered text, set in white text bubbles against a mix of bright backdrop colors and patterns, deftly works with before-and-after illustrations to show the change that children can effect.

This book's encouragement to kids to find their voices can also be used to start a conversation about how they can make a difference in their world. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews