Something, someday /

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

The stunning new picture book by presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman and Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator Christian Robinson

You're told that
This won't work,
But how will you know
If you never try?

Presidential inaugural poet and #1 New York Times bestselling author Amanda Gorman and Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Honor winner Christian Robinson have created a timeless message of hope.

Sometimes the world feels broken. And problems seem too big to fix. But somehow, we all have the power to make a difference. With a little faith, and maybe the help of a friend, together we can find beauty and create change.

With intimate and inspiring text and powerfully stunning illustrations, Something, Someday reveals how even the smallest gesture can have a lasting impact.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Publishers Weekly Review

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.)

School Library Journal Review

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

Booklist Review

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 Review

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. (c) Copyright 2024. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus Book Review

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) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Amanda Gorman is the youngest presidential inaugural poet in US history. She is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Hill We Climb , Call Us What We Carry , and her children's picture book Change Sings , illustrated by Loren Long. Amanda is a committed advocate for the environment, racial equality, and gender justice. In a groundbreaking collaboration with the Estée Lauder Companies as a Global Changemaker, she established the "Writing Change" initiative to support grassroots organizations dedicated to advancing literacy as a pathway to social change. She graduated cum laude from Harvard University and now lives in her hometown of Los Angeles. Please visit her at TheAmandaGorman.com or on Instagram @AmandaSCGorman.

Christian Robinson received a Caldecott Honor and a Coretta Scott King Honor Award for his art in Last Stop on Market Street , written by Matt de la Peña. He is the author and illustrator of the picture books Another and You Matter , and he has illustrated many more, including Nina: A Story of Nina Simone by Traci N. Todd and The Bench by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex. He lives in Oakland. Please visit him at TheArtOfFun.com or on Instagram @TheArtOfFun.