It Takes a Village

PreS-Gr 2— In this warmhearted appeal to our better angels, Clinton reminds us how change comes about. Also that community, a sense of purpose, and kindness toward others begins at home. In spare lyrical text that plays with the proverb "It takes a village to raise a child," and is enhanced by Frazee's lovely pencil-and-watercolor vignettes, the book shows how children and their grown-ups come together to build a playground. The scene opens with a barren hillside and a bare tree; then, the intergenerational villagers come together, roll up their sleeves, and contribute to the project, each in his or her own way. Viewers are told that "Kindness and caring and sharing matter. Playing matters too. And resting. Because the world is in a hurry, but children are not." As the structures grow and their labors bear fruit, the passage of time is reflected in the greening landscape, the colorful plantings, and the pink blossoms of the large majestic tree as the park's centerpiece. In conclusion, Clinton expands the metaphor to state "Children are born believers. And citizens, too. Let us build a village…worthy of all children." The book's stunning endpapers feature American flags, with communities rising from each of the stripes and a rainbow on the horizon.