People of Peace by Sandrine Mirza and Le Duo is a lovely collection of important figures from recent history (and today) who fought/are fighting for peace and human rights. It’s in a format that really works well for kids. There are quite a few of these types of books available right now, but this one is unique in the fact that it groups together well-known AND lesser known individuals who at one point (or all) of their life (lives) fought for peace in some way or another.
There are 40 people in the book, and each figure has their own page with a really cool lay-out. A short biography, some facts, a lovely illustration, and a great title. You can read about John Lennon and Nelson Mandela, but also about Tegla Loroupe, Rigoberta Mechú, and Bertha von Suttner amongst others. I loved seeing Aristide Briand and Jean-Jaurès mentioned, as growing up in France these are household names to me, but probably not to anyone outside of the country! I do think that there could have been a bit more diversity in the figures chosen, but I do appreciate that there are women and people of color represented. I also like how easy it is to pick out a figure or two and read about them during story time with the kids, and how we can use every page as a learning moment.
People of Peace will be published by Quarto Publishing Group - Wide Eyed Editions on May 3rd, 2018. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy!