Dictionary for a Better World: Poems, Quotes, and Anecdotes from A to Z by Irene Latham & Charles Waters, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini

 

Dictionary for a Better World: Poems, Quotes, and Anecdotes from A to Z

written by Irene Latham & Charles Waters,

illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini

Carolrhoda Books, 2020, 120 pages

I don't usually like ABC books, but this one is truly an exceptionally unique dictionary. And it proved to be source of great comfort, hope, and inspiration to me and some of my young readers during the past year. And let's face it, 2020 was a difficult year for all of us for so many reasons, and 2021 isn't getting off to a great start either.

Using a variety of poetic forms (each of which are defined for the reader), the authors explore ways that ordinary people can make the world a better place. Each letter of the alphabet includes a concept poem on the left facing page by either Irene Latham or Charles Waters, while on the right facing page are quotes by diverse people, a personal anecdote by the author relating to the poem, and a Try It! suggestion for the reader to use the poem's concept in their own lives. Let me show you what it looks like using one of my personally favorite poems called "Ally" 

Click to enlarge

There is a table of contents that indicates who wrote which poem - those in red are by Latham, those in blue are by Waters and these color designations may be the only thing I didn't like - too close to the pink is for girls, blue is for boys stereotype. 

Some of the concepts explored by the authors are acceptance, courage, diversity, empathy, hope, justice, peace, respect, and (bear) witness. Some of the letters in the alphabet have more than one entry, and some poems are better than others, but all are very thought provoking. 

The colorful and very stylized illustrations are done with acrylic, digital painting, collage, and photography. Back matter includes an Author's Note, a list of the Books, Poems, and Speech Referenced, Additional Recommended Books, and Poetry Resources.  

Dictionary for a Better World is a book that parents and teachers will find so relevant for today's world and for helping students not only understand it, but for helping them understand that they can make a difference, and make the world a better place in which to live. Highly recommended.

This book is recommended for readers age 8+

This book was an EARC gratefully received from NetGalley