Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
No!
Wordless Picture Book
For ages 5 and up
Roaring Brook Press, 2009 ISBN: 978-1596432888
A little boy has written a letter to the president and he is now ready to post it. He puts on his coat, hat, and mittens, and he walks down the street to the post box. As he is walking down the street, military aircraft fly overhead and they bomb some houses on a hill nearby. Then a tank drives up the street and it blows up on of the houses. Soldiers march past and as they boy watches, they break into a house, terrifying the people who live inside.
Further down the street, the little boy sees that a big boy is leaning against the postbox. The big boy knocks off his hat and is about to strike him when the little boy says “No!” He is not going to tolerate another act of aggression. He is putting his foot down.
We live in a world where there is so much bullying. We see it in schools and we see it on the national and international level. In this picture book, David McPhail uses one word (the only word in the book) to show readers of all ages that we don’t have to tolerate bullying. We can say “NO!” and show that we are not going to put up with violence any longer. With its empowering message of hope and David McPhail’s wonderful illustrations, this is a book that will resonate with readers of all ages.
