Oh, The Things We're For

(Hardback)

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Description

A new book by the author of A is for Activist is a rhyming, boldly illustrated vision of a better world. When you go to a march And raise your sign high You'll make people smile who thought you were shy And you'll make people wonder, does that kid really know why You DO know of course That's why you are there You're there to say STOP! What's happening's not fair Then they say, we know what you're against End poverty stop war... But okay then what are you for Oh! What are we for! That's my favorite question And I'm sure it's yours too Because you pay attention You have so many answers And so many options And so many solutions that you want to impart The only hard question is where does one start Oh, The Things We're For! is a celebration of the better world that is not only possible, but is here today if we choose it. Today's kids are well aware of the many challenges that they face in a world they are inheriting, from climate change to police violence, crowded classrooms to healthcare. Poetically written and beautifully illustrated in Innosanto Nagara's (A is for Activist) signature style, this book offers a vision of where we could go--and a future worth fighting for. Oh, the Things We're For! is a book for kids, and for the young at heart of all ages.

Reviews

"Nagaras direct, pragmatic approach to activism for a child audience reaches new levels of specificity and real-world application in this book ... Vibrant colors infuse Nagaras expressive, textured illustrations, which feature a diverse range of humans, protest signs, and symbolic as well as literal depictions of societal issues and potential solutions.... An accessible, all-too-timely manifesto for young activists (and everyone else)." Kirkus Reviews

"With Seussian rhyme, Nagara crafts a progressive call-to-arms about social justice topics, including universal health care, climate change, free public education, and prison abolition. Utilizing a framing devicea child questioned by skepticsNagara walks readers through a rhythmic summation of contemporary issues. Busily colorful digital art combines textures, gradients, and typography, reinforcing the energy with which Nagara conveys the necessity of standing up for various rights. Though the book meanders across a wide range of topics, and the rhyme prizes levity over clarity (Look up! you exclaim./ What do you see/ A HUGE ball of plasma!/ Clean energy for free!), this primer offers a useful starting point for readers seeking to begin conversations about social justice." Publishers Weekly

Author Bio

Children's book author and illustrator Innosanto Nagara's books encourage children to grow up with confidence in themselves, and to be proactive citizens who are passionate about causes from environmental issues to LGBTQ rights and civil rights. Born and raised in Indonesia, Inno moved to the US in 1988. After studying zoology and philosophy at UC Davis, Inno moved to the San Francisco Bay Area and founded the Design Action Collective, a worker-owned cooperative design studio. Inno lives in Oakland in a cohousing community with nine adults and eight kids. His first book, A is for Activist, started a movement in social justice book publishing for children. He is also the author and illustrator of Counting on Community, My Night in the Planetarium, The Wedding Portrait, and M is for Movement.