Review by Booklist Review
This brightly illustrated picture book features five mother-and-child pairs participating in different marches for various causes: freedom, equality, peace, clean water, and climate action. As they prepare, each child wonders what the march will be like, but all becomes clear when they arrive at the march, where accompanying text explains each march's purpose further: ("Momma is marching for PEACE"). Eye-catching illustrations, featuring bold shapes and a vibrant palette, convey the liveliness and inclusiveness of protest marches, and the final march features a child taking the initiative to join a march and encouraging their mother to come along, which is an empowering reversal to end on. The marches depicted are all inspired by historical events, indicated by the variety of signs in each scene ("Integrated Schools Now!"; "Kids for ERA"; "Not in Our Name"). Though the main text lacks explanatory context for those marches, the back matter provides further information about the causes depicted. While some adult guidance will likely be necessary for children to grasp the context, this is a colorful, joyful introduction to marches and their various facets.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3--Marching as a form of peaceful protest has a long history. This title captures the essence of several historic marches and uses the dual perspectives of a child and mother preparing for and marching in a variety of different protests. When the child on one spread asks, "Will there be bands and bugles?" the mother replies, "It's not that kind of march." A different pairing of child and adult appears on every spread, with the refrain, "It's not that kind of march," to direct the child's (and reader's) attention to the fact that the injustices are plentiful. The reasons and methods for marching are depicted in colorful, poster-like digitally created illustrations that effectively capture the power of peaceful protest for wide-ranging causes, from water and climate protection to peace and women's rights. Back matter adds to the story of marches with dates and specific events. VERDICT A recommended and useful introduction to the democratic right to protest, this title could be tidily included across curricula for sharing with children before they attend a march or to help build understanding for the role of common citizens in making positive change and speaking up for important causes.--John Scott
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
March with Momma for change! Alongside their children, mommas of various sizes and skin tones "march / march / MARCH" for integrated schools, equality, peace, clean water, and more. Maruno's gentle, straightforward text introduces readers to different mommas and their children making signs, putting on warm, woolly socks, packing bottles of water, and more. Children ask questions: "Will there be bands and bugles?" "Will there be balloons?" "Will there be ice cream and hot dogs?" The mothers each respond: "It's not that kind of march." At the various protests, they hold signs with brave messages, beat drums, and raise their arms to demonstrate solidarity. Though the families attend different marches, these events share a common goal as the mommas show their children how to push for change. Rosas' warm, inviting palette of vivid purples, greens, and oranges portrays the smiling, friendly mommas standing with their communities; young readers and their families will be inspired to join social movements wherever they take place. The illustrations depict the mommas as distinct individuals, allowing readers to see themselves as activists. Backmatter offers additional insights into the meaning behind the objects and actions in the story as well as historical context for marches. A beautifully illustrated, family-friendly guide to activism. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
