If This Were the World
Written by Stephen Barr and Illustrated by AG Ford
★"One schoolyard game proves bigger than its beginnings. . . . The subtle message hiding in the creases of this philosophical tale encourages kids to remember and take good care of our actual world. This theme is subtly built into the specific ways the class treats each “world.” Meanwhile, oodles of details abound, like the individual personalities of the different kids in the class. Throughout, Ford’s art is electric, the colors seeming to vibrate off the characters into the atmosphere. The small speech balloons that appear . . . add to the charm and humor. A truly original Earth Day book, certain to provoke laughter and discussion." —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
★”Collaborative recreation yields lessons about collective responsibility in this generative story. Dialogue-driven action . . . successfully captures the spirit of playground politics, while thick chromatic outlining and light shading imbue radiant, rainbow-hued colored-pen and -pencil drawings by Ford with a boisterousness that aptly conveys the energy of the crowd’s exploits. Object by object, the youths seemingly develop a hands-on appreciation for how to create an equitable society, and a beatific close sees them opening their eyes to the vast world that already surrounds." —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
★"If the message is overt, it’s been given an innovative, fresh presentation here: unusually engaging, accessible, and aimed directly at its audience. Ford’s cartoony illustrations rock with kinetic energy, and his portrayal of the class both as a collective whole and as distinctive individuals is an estimable accomplishment and spot-on for the book’s theme—all kinds of people need to work together to protect our Earth. Readers will definitely enjoy following individual students throughout, including . . . a rather diabolical girl who is clearly the class troublemaker." —The Horn Book, Starred Review
"Cooperation proves key. . . . As they play with each world, the children explore ways to coexist by trading, bargaining, or sharing. How can they, as a group, take care of a world? The class becomes a microcosm of Earth's population, diverse in skin and hair colors. Their easy rapport is reflected in the energetic, colorful illustrations that depict the students’ heightened adventures. . . . The gentle message, wrapped up in freewheeling recess fun, resonates." —Booklist
"Lively, cartoonish pen-and-ink drawings in rainbow hues successfully convey the boisterous enthusiasm of the students and their diverse personalities. The students are portrayed in a variety of skin tones. This enjoyable picture book offers a great conversation starter about cooperative play wrapped in subtle undertones about the importance of taking care of Earth." —School Library Journal