Innosanto NagaraBesprekingen

Great artwork and flowing prose. This alphabet is packed with subjects for conversations to have with your children. I'm not sure a young reader would be able to grasp all of the words. Some people in the US want this book banned, and that's why I've read it.

Description: An alphabet book that introduces young readers to the world of activism, encouraging them to stand up for justice, equality, and the betterment of society.
Age Group: 3-7 years

"Not your typical alphabet board book, this one packs a powerful message both visually as well as verbally. Each spread presents a letter and a bit of social commentary urging children to take a stand against war and violence, develop an awareness of our environment, and promote acceptance and equality for all cultures, races, religions, genders, and walks of life. For example, "A is for Activist./Advocate. Abolitionist. Ally./Actively Answering A call to Action." "Y is for You. And Youth./Your planet. Your rights/Your future. Your truth./Y is for Yes. Yes! Yes! Yes!" Despite the format, this introduction to social justice is best suited to older children, who will need plenty of explanation and discussion to help them understand issues such as feminism or workers' rights. Nagara relies upon colorful illustrations—many representing the energy behind activism with arms and fists raised—lots of alliteration, and rhyming for each letter and idea. An ever-present black cat hiding or prowling on each letter's page seeks to hold listeners' interest as well. An unusual offering that may plant the seeds for and spark discussions about activism.—Susan Shaver, Hemingford Public Schools, NE"

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COUNTING ON COMMUNITY
BY INNOSANTO NAGARA ; ILLUSTRATED BY INNOSANTO NAGARA ‧ RELEASE DATE: SEPT. 15, 2015

Adifficult concept is simply and strikingly illustrated for the very youngest members of any community, with a counting exercise to boot.

From the opening invitation, “Living in community, / it's a lot of FUN! / Lets count the ways. / Lets start with ONE,” Nagaro shows an urban community that is multicultural, supportive, and happy—exactly like the neighborhoods that many families choose to live and raise their children in. Text on every other page rhymes unobtrusively. Unlike the vocabulary found in A Is for Activist (2013), this book’s is entirely age-appropriate (though some parents might not agree that picketing is a way to show “that we care”). In A Is for Activist, a cat was hidden on each page; this time, finding the duck is the game. Counting is almost peripheral to the message. On the page with “Seven bikes and scooters and helmets to share,” identifying toys in an artistic heap is confusing. There is only one helmet for five toys, unless you count the second helmet worn by the girl riding a scooter—but then there are eight items, not seven. Seven helmets and seven toys would have been clearer. That quibble aside, Nagara's graphic design skills are evident, with deep colors, interesting angles, and strong lines, in a mix of digital collage and ink.

Ideal for any community where children count. (Board book. 2-5)" www.kirkusreviews.com

I read this book with my class for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and I really feel like it showed them a new side of things. I didn't want to read a typical MLK book because it doesn't always come off in the right way so I changed it up and talked about Activism instead and this book went along with that perfectly!

i really liked this book because of its use of colorful illustrations and detail. I loved this books language and rhythm. It counts up from one stuffed piñata to ten hefty. In the story, they always count on one another. In addition to that, the book stresses the importance of children recognizing the value of community along with the joys of outdoor activities. The book also utilizes diverse characters and it displays great character development, making the book very engaging!½

This is not a typical alphabet book. It focuses on equal rights, LGBTQ+ rights, peaceful protests, wealth inequality, immigrant rights, democracy, and other social issues. I loved the rhythm of the book and the alphabetical organization. I thought it was a bit odd that it introduced Democrats and Republicans in the beginning because there are social issues that exist outside the U.S.'s. two-party system

Glorious.

This very colorful board book begins with A and goes through to Z, with a chant or poem for each letter.

This is not your average Alphabet book, this is one that calls for social activism and change in the face of today's social, environmental, and political climate.

I love how each page comes with ideas based on the letter, but also has images of other things that start with the same letter. This would certainly be a good one to illicit discussion on a lot of difficult topics.

This is an alphabet board book which is good for anyone on the liberal left from babies up to senior citizens, It's a very cute book that says it all. I like the black cat that hides on every page!

I'm not actually a big fan of counting books generally because, like, your kid's gonna learn numbers, relax and read them something with a story instead, but this one's pretty good--most of the progressive righteousness of A Is for Activist with little of the progressive self-righteousness.½

Genre: Picture book 2

I know this is technically an ABC book but it wasn't on your list so I used it for one of the picture books.

Summary: The book uses a letter to introduce children to different forms of social justice and acceptance, including love for the earth and equality.

Review: I bought this book without even reading the whole thing. I love introducing children to parts of the social justice movement because it's something I believe in entirely. Many will say this book is brain washing, but there is nothing radical in this book. There is nothing radial about self love, acceptance, and respect of all people. I don't think that's brain washing, I think that's appropriate parenting.
Something I noticed was the use of a cat on every single page, making children find the hiding cat is their favorite part of the book.
I love books that start a conversation. Books are such a powerful learning tool. Kids are such visual people that many of them benefit more from reading a book before a valuable discussion takes place. The girl I nanny for is huge into American history and concepts in social justice, so this book was great for talking to her about things like the importance of equality and kindness.
I think the theme of this book is justice. There are many things that are discussed in the text but the main point is equality and justice. What I like about this book is that it celebrates differences, not just pretends they don't exist.
I don't think this book could be used in a school setting because of it's mention of feminism and aspects of the LGBTQ community. It could probably cause problems from parents, which is annoying. I am happy to have this book at home! I wish it could be shared with more children in a school setting, but this is the world we live in.

Not for me!

I’m so disappointed because I’d seen this book on someone’s (real) shelves and jumped to reserve it at the library to see if I’d want this for giving new baby gifts. What a great idea!

The most stars I would have given anyway is 3.

This is a board book, so presumably geared toward babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, and their adults. The illustrations are colorful and interesting and while I’m not a huge fan of their style, I think many readers will like them, including young readers/listeners. However, the vocabulary is so advanced that while babies to preschoolers might enjoy the pictures and the cadence of the language, they’re not going to understand much of the text. Older kids will but they don’t need board books.

However, I am such a fan of the idea, and I’m all for parents, teachers, babysitters, etc. adults enjoying kids’ books, that I could have forgiven the not so friendly for young kids vocabulary.

Then I got to H.

“H is for Healthy food – a human right. Honeydew, jicama, nature’s delight. Hummus, Hot dogs, Havarti cheese. Hot dogs!?! Yes! Healthy hot dogs please! (And pizza.)”

That was it for me. Hot dogs, even vegan ones, aren’t really that healthy. And this is a book that touts rights for all varieties of humans, and I agree with that. But not only nothing about animals but a point is made to eat what is definitely animal derived cheese and probably animal flesh. What about non-human animal rights?! What about animal rights activists, most of whom are also human rights activists. Anyway, that lost me. I will never give or read this book to anyone, and certainly not any child. If I’m reading a book about activism it doesn’t have to mention animals but if it does it has to be for their rights, not for their use and abuse by activists and would be activists.

Great idea but not for me!

I was very intrigued by the title of this informational board book for children. It is not every day that a book intended for infants has such political motivation, and this title was certainly motivated. It certainly brings social justice, civil rights, and reformation to the forefront of the book. To be honest I was a little concerned with the violence that was present in the story. Besides being an informational book about activism it is also an alphabet book. Media: Ink, Digital Art

This is literally the smarmiest, most self-satisfied book I've ever read in my entire life. It manages to condescend to its allies, its opponents, and the kids who are ostensibly its audience/our future, all in 26 pages.

This is a book I would love to have in my classroom, but I don't know how I'd teach it or what I'd do about families that didn't like it... An ABC board book that contains some really complex subjects that might be hard to explain to young kids. Maybe someday!

A must for every lefty grandparent.