Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

In this collaboration from National Youth Poet Laureate Gorman and Caldecott Medalist Robinson, a small child finds a way to make a big impact on the community.The Black-presenting youngster notices something wrong but is told it is "not a problem," that it "cannot be fixed," and that it is "too big for you." But the child is determined to try. Writing in second person, Gorman immerses readers in the experience, assuring them that they are not alone in their longings for a better world. The powerfully spare lines of text convey the concerns that can occupy the mind of a thoughtful person in a society full of problems and complacency. Robinson's signature simple, child-friendly collage art brings the text into concrete detail as the protagonist notices an oversized trash heap on the sidewalk and begins to work at cleaning it up. With help from diverse friends who are eager to make a difference, too, the child replaces the trash with a raised bed garden, which disappoints with withered seedlings before ultimately blooming into "something that work[s]," something to be proud of. Robinson's scenes are set against plenty of white space, giving text and art equal weight-both are sure to spark meaningful and productive conversations. (This book was reviewed digitally.)An engaging offering whose hopeful message will resonate with readers of all ages. (Picture book. 4-8)

School Library Journal Starred Review (Sat Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

PreS-Gr 3— This book follows an unnamed brown-skinned child as they see something they want to change in their community. The picture book's second-person point of view invites the audience to feel as if they're a part of the story and empowered to change something within their community. The use of collage perfectly communicates the idea of what once was trash being transformed anew. Characters of varied skin tones and body types make up the child's community, as everyone works together to change their world. VERDICT This picture book's timely message about coming together to make a change is a perfect addition to all libraries.— Myiesha Speight

ALA Booklist (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

This hopeful message from Gorman, the youngest presidential inaugural poet, is charmingly illustrated by Caldecott honoree Robinson's painted collage pieces. A young boy notices a heap of trash in his neighborhood and takes small steps to clean it up. He plants a garden in front of his home where trash used to be, persisting even when others discourage him. He invites friends to help out, and together they act with hope and encourage one another, even when things don't work out. The people in the neighborhood, varied in age, gender, ethnicity, and ability, nicely reflect the real world. The abundance of white space in each double-page spread emphasizes the text and illustrations, and while each is strong enough to stand alone, they combine seamlessly to create a compelling picture book. The front endpapers show a collection of trash, and the back endpapers show a beautiful garden, revealing the transformation that takes place when people partner to care for their community. This story would be a lovely choice for a garden or community-themed storytime and an exemplar for children's programming featuring poetry or collage. High-Demand Backstory: Award-winning Robinson and lauded poet Gorman are a perfect match, and fans of both will be eager to read their collaboration.

Horn Book (Tue Dec 03 00:00:00 CST 2024)

Front endpapers depicting a stark mountain of rubbish, and a title-page image of a Black boy peeking out from behind a jam-packed trash can, set the stage for this unflinching parable about confronting the world's ugliness. When the boy clears away sidewalk trash with the help of a light-skinned man in a wheelchair, he uncovers a wildflower that inspires the creation of a public garden box that rallies their diverse community. Gorman urges readers to resist any suggestion that they should wink at societal problems and assume powerlessness. "Someday, somewhere [you'll] find a friend" with whom to do "something small" to tackle big issues is the book's hopeful promise. Robinson's pared-down paint and collage illustrations offer a wealth of white space, giving readers room to process the serious subject matter.

Kirkus Reviews

In this collaboration from National Youth Poet Laureate Gorman and Caldecott Medalist Robinson, a small child finds a way to make a big impact on the community.The Black-presenting youngster notices something wrong but is told it is "not a problem," that it "cannot be fixed," and that it is "too big for you." But the child is determined to try. Writing in second person, Gorman immerses readers in the experience, assuring them that they are not alone in their longings for a better world. The powerfully spare lines of text convey the concerns that can occupy the mind of a thoughtful person in a society full of problems and complacency. Robinson's signature simple, child-friendly collage art brings the text into concrete detail as the protagonist notices an oversized trash heap on the sidewalk and begins to work at cleaning it up. With help from diverse friends who are eager to make a difference, too, the child replaces the trash with a raised bed garden, which disappoints with withered seedlings before ultimately blooming into "something that work[s]," something to be proud of. Robinson's scenes are set against plenty of white space, giving text and art equal weight-both are sure to spark meaningful and productive conversations. (This book was reviewed digitally.)An engaging offering whose hopeful message will resonate with readers of all ages. (Picture book. 4-8)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Alongside National Youth Poet Laureate Gorman’s soaring poem about change, Caldecott Honoree Robinson opens with a portrait of a Black-presenting child walking along a city block, viewing an overflowing pile of trash with a look of concern while an adult moves on. “You are told/ That this is not a problem,” begin ringing lines, “But you’re sure/ There’s something wrong.” The child returns to tackle the trash, struggling to push an enormous shopping cart. Collaged spreads compare the youth’s steady work to that of an ant (“you’ve seen the tiniest things/ Make a huge difference”) and, after ups and downs, portray the arrival of interested companions (“This problem is big,/ But together,/ We are bigger”). The first seedlings they plant at the cleared site wilt, but there’s soon growth that becomes “Something that is not a dream,/ But the day you live in.” Together, the creators chronicle a child trusting their inner voice and working out how to address what feels in need of care, while Robinson’s neighborhood scenes, portraying a community of varying abilities, ages, and skin tones, model collaboration as a means for metamorphosis. A Spanish-language edition publishes simultaneously. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)