Written in celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Davies' newest picture book focuses on how special all children are upon entering the world and the promise they carry: "When you were born, a song began." Every baby brings with it "a melody the world had never heard before" and deserves to be treated as the unique individual they are and respected for what their existence can offer the world. Every child's universal birthright should be to be loved and protected, to be heard and esteemed. The free-verse text and the impactful watercolor images reveal children being held, being fed, and being allowed to play and learn. A few darker illustrations show the hardships some children face, "made to sing the tune of darkness, hate, or war." Colorful birds soar through the pages and represent both the song each child sings and the freedom each child merits. Ten of the 54 articles concerning the Rights of the UNCRC are listed at the book's conclusion.

Celebrating the worth of every child and the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.Spare free-verse text encourages each child to embrace their unique identity, but it also recognizes that they need and deserve the support of the community to reach their potential, in keeping with the UNCRC (selections from which appear in the backmatter). As the title says, each child is like a song. "Whatever melody a song sings, / each one is true and beautiful; / unique and special as your own." A brown-skinned child with short, straight black hair skips down a road in an aerial view, a serene blue bird in the foreground. But in the next spread, a child stands alone, reaching for assistance as a throng of busy adults walks by, absorbed in their own business. While illustrations with sweeping splashes of rich color and minimal details don't shy from depicting the chaos and danger for refugees in a small boat in a storm and the darkness of forced silence, hate, and war, the overarching tone is positive. A scene of a multiracial group of people striding (and rolling, for a child in a wheelchair) with purpose accompanies the hopeful text: "For together, we raise our voices / for the right of every song to sing out loud, bold and unafraid." Front endpapers show a single flying bird while a flock of multicolored birds soars on the back endpapers. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-22-inch double-page spreads viewed at 48% of actual size.)Perfect for one-on-one and small-group reading and guaranteed to provoke discussions around self-worth and social justice. (foreword) (Picture book. 4-8)

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Davies (A First Book of the Sea) pens a hymn to safety and freedom for children, using the metaphor of a song to express each child-s worth: -When you were born, a song began..../ A melody the world had never heard before.- Martin (Everything & Everywhere) visualizes children of various ethnicities growing up in a city of apartment buildings that feature flat roofs, clotheslines, and potted plants. As the children mature, their songs grow, too: -With each new step and word,/ your song picked up its rhythm.- Martin doesn-t represent songs visually; instead, in bold greens and blues, he signals the feel of release with birds swooping through the air above leaping, playing children. Images of children facing difficult situations (-No song should be worn away to silence..../ No song should be drowned out-) may need some contextualizing for young readers, but the ideas of freedom from want and security will be plain to all through this introduction to the idea of rights that belong to all. Ages 3-8. (Oct.)

Gr 1-4 With eloquent prose and vivid illustrations, Davies and Martin commemorate the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Davies uses an extended metaphor to compare a child's individuality and hope to music. Martin's illustrations depict light-skinned and brown-skinned children as well as spirited, colorful birds. Both the prose and illustrations adopt a somber tone midway through the narrative; the text acknowledges that not all children are afforded the rights they deserve. Davies writes, "No song should be worn away to silenceno song should be drowned outnor stolen, and made to sing the tune of darkness, hate, or war." Martin's illustrations depict a light-skinned child sitting in darkness; the room's one window has bars. Following this scene, birds take flight amidst storms and chaos, and the text concludes by asking readers to join together to advocate for the rights of all children around the world. The text does not feature all 54 articles from the UNCRC, but this title is a poignant introduction to children's basic freedoms. VERDICT A timely and appropriate picture book to discuss freedom, individuality, and equality with young readers.Jamie Jensen, Wayne Cox Elem. Sch., Roanoke, TX