Three Lines In A Circle

Did you know that the peace symbol was developed in 1958 by an activist in London protesting nuclear weapons? Well, I didn’t until I read Three Lines in a Circle by Michael G. Long. This wonderful picture book provides young readers with a history behind the peace symbol and the man who created it.

Title: Three Lines in a Circle
Author: Michael G. Long
Illustrator: Carlos Vélez
Publisher: Flyaway Books
Published: August 31, 2021
Format: Picture Book

Three Lines in a Circle introduces young readers to Gerald Holtom, the man who designed the popular symbol, and the many peace movements that the sign has been a part of. Beginning with the London to Aldermaston March against nuclear weapons, all the way to nationwide protests for racial justice in 2020, readers will follow along as the world embraces Gerald’s symbol and demand peace, justice, and equality.

The illustrations by Carlos Vélez are so wonderful! I love the way the peace sign is sprinkled throughout the illustrations, creating a perfect opportunity to engage readers by finding them throughout the story.

The back-matter contains an informative author’s note, along with a timeline of peaceful protests across the world. Opening the door to further history lessons, Three Lines in a Circle would make a great addition to classroom and school libraries.

Three Lines in a Circle officially releases next week (August 31, 2021), but you can preorder your copy today at Bookshop and Amazon. (Please note: Some links provided are affiliate links. Affiliate links allow me to receive a small commission for recommendations at no cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site and to continue bringing content to you. I always appreciate your support!)

Thank you so much to Flyaway Books for generously providing an advance copy of Three Lines in a Circle for me to review!

About the Author:

Michael G. Long has written books for all ages on civil rights and peacemaking in mid-century America, including the stories of Martin Luther King Jr., Bayard Rustin, Jackie Robinson, and Mister Rogers. He lives in Pennsylvania.

About The Illustrator:

Carlos Vélez has illustrated more than twenty books for children and has been recognized with illustration awards from the Catalog of Illustrators of Children’s and Youth Publications and the National Fund for Culture and the Arts. He lives in Mexico City.

You Might Also Like:

Advertisement

Walking Toward Peace: The True Story of a Brave Woman Called Peace Pilgrim

In a world that seems so far from peaceful, I’m so glad to have found Walking Toward Peace by Kathleen Krull.

This masterful picture book biography tells the story of a little-known activist and spiritual leader who was called Peace Pilgrim. In 1953, Peace Pilgrim gave up everything she owned, including her own name, to spread the message of peace.

Before she was Peace Pilgrim, she was a secretary with a busy social life. But she found this life to be unfulfilling. Watching the events of World War II, she couldn’t help but think that the world needed more peace. So she dedicated years of her life to preparing to walk twenty-five thousand miles across America spreading the message of peace.

Peace Pilgrim achieved her goal of twenty-five thousand miles crossing the country seven times, and continued walking countless miles for 28 years. In her time walking she saw the Korean War, the Cold War, and The Vietnam War, but she never gave up on spreading the message of peace. She became a public speaker, sharing her message at schools and churches, and continued speaking until she died at the age of seventy-two.

Walking Toward Peace is a powerful lesson in conviction and being the change you wish to see in the world. The back matter contains more detailed information about Peace Pilgrim’s life for readers who are interested in learning more.

I also loved the illustrations by Annie Bowler and the way they capture Peace Pilgrim’s journey, and all the wonderful friends she met along the way.

Walking Toward Peace is officially available next week (March 23, 2021), but you can preorder it today wherever books are sold, including Bookshop and Amazon. (Please note: Some links provided are affiliate links. Affiliate links allow me to receive a small commission for recommendations at no cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site and continue bringing content to you. Your support is always appreciated!)

Kathleen Krull was a children’s book author who wrote over 100 books, including Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez and No Truth Without Ruth: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I am very sad to say that she passed away in January. She leaves behind an ample collection of work for young readers to continue to see history through her eyes. To learn more about Kathleen Krull and her work, please visit her website at www.kathleenkrull.com.

Annie Bowler is an illustrator and art teacher based in Washington D.C. To learn more about her and her work, please visit her website at www.anniebowler.com.

Many thanks to Flyaway Books for sending me a review copy of this magnificent book. I am honored to be able to share both Kathleen Krull’s words and Peace Pilgrims story with my readers today.

You Might Also Like:

Peace – A Big Concept For Small Readers

With all the division we see in our world these days, I think we can agree that we could all use a little more peace. So I am thrilled to share Peace by Baptiste Paul and Miranda Paul with you all today.

This picture book takes a huge concept like peace and makes it completely approachable for young readers.

Peace explores the many definitions of peace and all the small steps we can take to help bring peace to ourselves, our communities, and the world. From pronouncing our friends name correctly to saying “I’m sorry”, our small actions can have a huge impact.

I really appreciate the authors’ message that our inner peace reflects back out into the world and can affect others, including animals and the earth. As someone who is often overwhelmed by the idea of peace and how to bring it to the world, this message really resonated with me and reminded me that I have to start with myself.

I love the illustrations by Estelí Meza, especially all the different animals included. There is also a really fun foldout spread on the last page, which was a lovely surprise.

Peace is officially released next week (March 2, 2021), but you can preorder it today wherever books are sold, including Bookshop and Amazon. (Please note: Some links provided are affiliate links. Affiliate links allow me to receive a small commission for recommendations at no cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site and continue bringing content to you. Your support is always appreciated!)

Baptiste Paul is an environmentalist, activist, and award-winning author who grew up in St. Lucia. To learn more about him and his work, please visit his website at baptistepaul.net.

Miranda Paul is a founding member of We Need Diverse Books and an award winning children’s book author based in Wisconsin. To learn more about her and her work, please visit her website at mirandapaul.com.

Estelí Meza is an award-winning illustrator based in Mexico City. To learn more about her and her work, please visit her website at estelimeza.com.

I want to thank North South Books for generously sending me a review copy of Peace. I’m so happy to be able to share such a lovely book with you all.

You Might Also Like: