When the Horses Ride By: Children in the Times of War

Presents a collection of poems about children around the world, focusing on the children's perceptions of war and how the turmoil of war affects their lives.

Grade 1-4–Combining 17 rhythmic poems with dramatic illustrations, this title addresses a complex topic. Greenfields deceptively simple verses express universal truths about both conflict and childhood. The introductory piece, I Think I Know, offers an innocent explanation of the causes of war, much like a playground scuffle. Other selections highlight moments such as a parade of battle-ready warriors in ancient Egypt, a shell-shocked fathers return from the American Revolution, and a young artist who tries to hold onto dreams despite the effects of combat in Iraq. The final poem summarizes the books message: We are surrounded by love,/taking us through/the danger days….We are the children…still. Gilchrists artwork captures the intensity of the verses, depicting conflicts from different historical periods and locations, as well as typical childhood pursuits. The spreads employ a combination of line-and-wash paintings, charcoal sketches, and photographs, and the use of collage underscores the sense of wars effects being superimposed on a youngsters world. This special book, which needs to be introduced and placed in context by an adult, makes a great starting point for discussion.–Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, WI
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Gr. 2-4. "Wherever we are / we search for a place / to be unafraid / wherever we are." From Native Americans displaced from their land to young protesters in apartheid South Africa and a Muslim girl in Iraq, the clear, stirring words and beautiful mixed-media collage illustrations in this picture book show particular wars across time and place and also suggest the universal fears, dreams, and courage of children caught up in terrifying conflict. On one of the first double-page spreads, a child imagines how fights begin, in the schoolyard and on the battlefield ("This one was mad at that one / and that one was angry, too"). On the following pages, photos and original art filled with realistic details come together to create an evocative picture of each historical conflict, which is identified in notes at the back of the book. The rhythmic connections in words and pictures will move peace activists, old and young. Hazel Rochman
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