You Make the World
Mu,o.,n Thi. Văn, illus. by Phùng Nguyên Quang and Huỳnh Kim Liên. Orchard, $18.99 (32p) ISBN 978-1-338-82204-5
“The sun makes the world hum./ The clouds make the world blue./ The wind makes the world wild./ The rain makes the world new”: Văn’s emotive lines empower as they emphasize oneness with the world. An initial question—“But you know what else/ makes the world?/ You”—prompts second-person declarations that encourage the listener to embrace their own abilityto effect change: “When you forgive,/ you make the world kind./ When you try,/ you make the world brave.” Thickly colored digital and pencil artwork by Quang and Liên provides an air of surrealistic enchantment with immersive, nature-based vistas of a youth and caregiver, portrayed with pale skin and dark hair, gleefully interacting with approachable oversize animals. Transporting a firefly in a lantern, the duo ride birds, kayak among hippos, and swim alongside whales until the story crescendos with a hug, the release of the insect, and emotionally anchoring sentiments: “When you are here/ where you belong,/ you make the world richer.” An author’s note opens. Ages 2–6. (May)
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Reviewed on: 05/22/2025
Genre: Children's