Books & Literature

Book Review: Imagine, by John Lennon

With a foreword by Yoko Ono Lennon, this beautiful childen’s picture book uses the lyrics to John Lennon’s timeless song to spread a message of peace.

The words of this timeless ballad are written as the text for a simply illustrated picture book featuring a pigeon. The foreword by Yoko Ono Lennon describes the intent of the song as a plea for world peace and encourages each person to work towards changing the world for the better. She speaks of acceptance and small deeds, love and care, and the fact that each of us has a part to play in making the world a better place.

The use of an ordinary, everyday pigeon, recognised globally and travelling the world by means that children will recognise, further cements the story’s message of acceptance of difference, as does the pigeon’s generosity, distributing olive branches wherever it travels, in an attempt to solve problems caused by differences in belief or practice.

Beautifully illustrated, the combined efforts of all the birds to continue spreading peace when the pigeon stops through exhaustion is touching.

This book is printed in association with Amnesty International UK, who promote human rights. The afterward gives a history to the declaration of and a rundown of these basic rights. It also provides a website for parents or teachers to access activities to do with children based on this book.

I had thought that I would probably pass this review copy on, but am so impressed with it, that it will hold a place in my personal library as a book to share with young friends. It a book for every child’s bookshelf and would make a superb Christmas or birthday gift.

Reviewed by Leanne Caune

Rating out of 10:  9

Released by: Allen & Unwin and available postage free from Book Depository
Release Date: October 2017
RRP: $24.99

 

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