Everything Is Connected - Hardcover

Gruhl, Jason

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1611806313 ISBN 13: 9781611806311

Publisher: Bala Kids, 2019

Synopsis

A magical meditation on the powerful idea that we are connected to everything and everyone.

Playful illustrations and funny, rhyming text show readers all of the many ways we are linked to every big, small, hairy, slimy, snuggly, scaly, floppy, flappy, bristly, buzzy, beautiful creature on Earth.


Everything is connected. And since you are part of everything,
you are connected to everything:
 
to pharaohs, Ben Franklin, T. Rex, ancient Greece, to love and to poverty, hunger and peace!

About this title

About the Author

JASON GRUHL is the former Executive Director and founder of The Joshua School (a school for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Developmental Disabilities in Boulder and Denver, CO) and a Psychotherapist. Jason holds a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology and a Bachelor's degree in English and Psychology. He dedicates his life to helping others through meditation, writing, and self-discovery.

IGNASI FONT is an award-winning artist and illustrator. As Art Director for Bungalow Studio, he creates expressive and poetic ways to communicate ideas through animation, music artwork, editorial illustration, and children's books. Art connects us all--even "strangers in Spain." Ignasi and his family live in Barcelona, Spain.

Reviews

Gr 1–3—Gruhl depicts interconnectedness, starting off with how a person's body and organs are connected to create an individual. The text moves on to how family members, friends, and strangers form a community. The narrative scope is magnified as he zooms out and summarizes how animals, religions, and the universe are also all connected. More importantly, the author reminds readers that they are all connected to the good things in life (playgrounds and bicycles), but also to the bad things (chicken pox and bullies), not to mention lies, greed, and pollution. Though the message is good, it's unclear what the author intended the reader to gain with the meaning. The book simply ends with the reminder that everything is connected. Gruhl's rhyme scheme helps make the book flow and definitely relates to the message of connection; but the lines often don't read perfectly, as the rhyming scheme changes or is at times dropped entirely. And with the way the book is laid out, most readers won't realize they are reading a rhyming book until midway. Illustrations give the story a modern graphic novel feel. Font's artwork is minimal but fun, and the line that goes through each page from left to right is a subtle touch that reinforces the theme. VERDICT This thought-provoking title emphasizes the power of our connection to the universe and one another.—Peter Blenski, Hartland Public Library, WI

Edition details

• Publisher: Bala Kids
• Publication date: 2019
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1611806313
• ISBN 13: 9781611806311
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Font Ignasi
• Number of pages: 36