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One Today
One Today is a poem celebrating America.
President Barack Obama invited Richard Blanco to write a poem to share at his second presidential inauguration.
That poem is One Today , a lush and lyrical, patriotic commemoration of America from dawn to dusk and from coast to coast.
Brought to life here by beloved, award-winning artist Dav Pilkey, One Today is a tribute to a nation where the extraordinary happens every single day.
President Barack Obama invited Richard Blanco to write a poem to share at his second presidential inauguration.
That poem is One Today , a lush and lyrical, patriotic commemoration of America from dawn to dusk and from coast to coast.
Brought to life here by beloved, award-winning artist Dav Pilkey, One Today is a tribute to a nation where the extraordinary happens every single day.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published November 3, 2015
3 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
Richard Blanco
64 books232 followersRichard Blanco was born in Madrid in 1968, immigrating as an infant with his Cuban-exile family to the U.S. He was raised and educated in Miami, earning a B.S. in civil engineering and a M.F.A. in creative writing from Florida International University.
In 2013, Blanco was chosen to serve as the fifth inaugural poet of the United States, following in the footsteps as such great writers as Robert Frost and Maya Angelou. Blanco performed One Today, an original poem he wrote for the occasion, becoming the youngest, first Latino, immigrant and openly gay writer to hold the honor.
Following the inauguration, he continued connecting communities through occasional poetry. He has written and performed occasional poems for such organizations as Freedom to Marry, the Tech Awards and the Fragrance Awards. In May of 2013, Blanco wrote Boston Strong, a poem he performed at the Boston Garden Benefit Concert and at a Red Sox game at Fenway. Following his performances, he released a limited edition Boston Strong chapbook, with all proceeds going to those most affected by the Boston Marathon bombings.
His books, in order of publication, are: City of a Hundred Fires (1998), Directions to the Beach of the Dead (2005), Looking for the Gulf Motel (2012), One Today (2013), Boston Strong (2013), and For All of Us, One Today: An Inaugural Poet’s Journey (2013).
Blanco has received numerous honors for his writings and performances, including an honorary doctorate from Macalester College and being named a Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow. His first book, City of a Hundred Fires received the prestigious Agnes Starrett Poetry Prize. His second book, Directions to the Beach of the Dead won the PEN / American Beyond Margins Award. His third book, Looking for The Gulf Motel received various accolades, including the Tom Gunn Award, the Maine Literary Award and the Paterson Prize. His poems have appeared in countless literary journals and anthologies, including Best American Prose Poems and Ploughshares.
Blanco has been a practicing engineer, writer and poet since 1991. He has traveled extensively in his adult life, living and working throughout Europe and South America. He has taught at Georgetown University, American University, Writer’s Center and Central Connecticut State University. Blanco currently lives and writes in the tranquil mountains of Bethel, Maine.
In 2013, Blanco was chosen to serve as the fifth inaugural poet of the United States, following in the footsteps as such great writers as Robert Frost and Maya Angelou. Blanco performed One Today, an original poem he wrote for the occasion, becoming the youngest, first Latino, immigrant and openly gay writer to hold the honor.
Following the inauguration, he continued connecting communities through occasional poetry. He has written and performed occasional poems for such organizations as Freedom to Marry, the Tech Awards and the Fragrance Awards. In May of 2013, Blanco wrote Boston Strong, a poem he performed at the Boston Garden Benefit Concert and at a Red Sox game at Fenway. Following his performances, he released a limited edition Boston Strong chapbook, with all proceeds going to those most affected by the Boston Marathon bombings.
His books, in order of publication, are: City of a Hundred Fires (1998), Directions to the Beach of the Dead (2005), Looking for the Gulf Motel (2012), One Today (2013), Boston Strong (2013), and For All of Us, One Today: An Inaugural Poet’s Journey (2013).
Blanco has received numerous honors for his writings and performances, including an honorary doctorate from Macalester College and being named a Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow. His first book, City of a Hundred Fires received the prestigious Agnes Starrett Poetry Prize. His second book, Directions to the Beach of the Dead won the PEN / American Beyond Margins Award. His third book, Looking for The Gulf Motel received various accolades, including the Tom Gunn Award, the Maine Literary Award and the Paterson Prize. His poems have appeared in countless literary journals and anthologies, including Best American Prose Poems and Ploughshares.
Blanco has been a practicing engineer, writer and poet since 1991. He has traveled extensively in his adult life, living and working throughout Europe and South America. He has taught at Georgetown University, American University, Writer’s Center and Central Connecticut State University. Blanco currently lives and writes in the tranquil mountains of Bethel, Maine.
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January 1, 2016
Beautiful poem that was written and read for 2013 inauguration of President Obama's second term. Dav Pilkey's vibrant, hopeful, and dream-like illustrations pair beautifully with the text.
July 31, 2015
Richie’s Picks: ONE TODAY by Richard Blanco and Dav Pilkey, ill., Little Brown, November 2015, 40p., ISBN: 978-0-316-37144-5
“It took me four days to hitch-hike from Saginaw.
I’ve come to look for America.”
-- Paul Simon, “America” (1968)
“And so, tomorrow, as we take the campaign south and west, as we learn that the struggles of the textile workers in Spartanburg are not so different than the plight of the dishwasher in Las Vegas, that the hopes of the little girl who goes to the crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of L.A., we will remember that there is something happening in America, that we are not as divided as our politics suggest, that we are one people, we are one nation.
And together, we will begin the next great chapter in the American story, with three words that will ring from coast to coast, from sea to shining sea: Yes, we can.”
-- Barack Obama, January 8, 2008, after winning the New Hampshire Presidential Primary
I’m a big fan of President Obama. I had an unforgettable experience ten years ago, while attending the American Library Association Annual Meeting in Chicago. Late that Saturday afternoon, then-Senator Barack Obama delivered the convention’s keynote address. I loved what he had to say and, to put it mildly, I could tell that the guy was going places.
“All of us as vital as the one light we move through,
the same light on blackboards with lessons for the day:
equations to solve, history to question, or atoms imagined,
the ‘I have a dream’ we keep dreaming.”
-- from “One Today”
ONE TODAY is the inspiring poem written for President Obama’s second inauguration by Richard Blanco, and delivered at the inauguration. Through the magic of YouTube, we can travel back to January 20, 2013 and watch Mr. Blanco deliver the poem again. I encourage you to do that. ONE TODAY traverses a day in America, taking us across the breadth of the country as millions work, study, and play. In addition to hopes and dreams, the poem also contains a notably sad moment: a reference to the twenty Sandy Hook school children who were killed just five weeks earlier.
Years before seeing Senator Obama speak in Chicago, and before watching Richard Blanco on television delivering this poem, Dav Pilkey wrote and illustrated a wonderful picture book, THE PAPERBOY, subsequently named a Caldecott Honor book. I keep a copy of it on my bookshelf. ONE TODAY brings the beloved creator of Captain Underpants back to the memorable picture book painting style I recall from back then.
Dav Pilkey’s illustrations in ONE TODAY are done in acrylics and India ink. His vision of the Blanco poem follows us through the day of a multiracial family: a mom, a girl, a boy and the family cat. We see traffic and commerce, apartment buildings and green hills, rivers and snowflakes, and the moon shining down upon the land and the water. There are dancers and shadows and chalk drawings on pavements. We see characters reading and running and feeding the birds. Spread after spread, these paintings with their intense hues remind me of the Dav Pilkey I first knew. It is great to see this side of him once again.
I remember being a young child and having our teacher tell us about the poet--Robert Frost--who had recited a poem at the president’s inauguration. I learned back then that poetry could be much more than a few short rhyming verses. Thanks to ONE TODAY, today’s young people will have a wonderful, illustrated example of the power and beauty of poetry.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
BudNotBuddy@aol.com
https://www.facebook.com/richie.parti...
Moderator http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_...
“It took me four days to hitch-hike from Saginaw.
I’ve come to look for America.”
-- Paul Simon, “America” (1968)
“And so, tomorrow, as we take the campaign south and west, as we learn that the struggles of the textile workers in Spartanburg are not so different than the plight of the dishwasher in Las Vegas, that the hopes of the little girl who goes to the crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of L.A., we will remember that there is something happening in America, that we are not as divided as our politics suggest, that we are one people, we are one nation.
And together, we will begin the next great chapter in the American story, with three words that will ring from coast to coast, from sea to shining sea: Yes, we can.”
-- Barack Obama, January 8, 2008, after winning the New Hampshire Presidential Primary
I’m a big fan of President Obama. I had an unforgettable experience ten years ago, while attending the American Library Association Annual Meeting in Chicago. Late that Saturday afternoon, then-Senator Barack Obama delivered the convention’s keynote address. I loved what he had to say and, to put it mildly, I could tell that the guy was going places.
“All of us as vital as the one light we move through,
the same light on blackboards with lessons for the day:
equations to solve, history to question, or atoms imagined,
the ‘I have a dream’ we keep dreaming.”
-- from “One Today”
ONE TODAY is the inspiring poem written for President Obama’s second inauguration by Richard Blanco, and delivered at the inauguration. Through the magic of YouTube, we can travel back to January 20, 2013 and watch Mr. Blanco deliver the poem again. I encourage you to do that. ONE TODAY traverses a day in America, taking us across the breadth of the country as millions work, study, and play. In addition to hopes and dreams, the poem also contains a notably sad moment: a reference to the twenty Sandy Hook school children who were killed just five weeks earlier.
Years before seeing Senator Obama speak in Chicago, and before watching Richard Blanco on television delivering this poem, Dav Pilkey wrote and illustrated a wonderful picture book, THE PAPERBOY, subsequently named a Caldecott Honor book. I keep a copy of it on my bookshelf. ONE TODAY brings the beloved creator of Captain Underpants back to the memorable picture book painting style I recall from back then.
Dav Pilkey’s illustrations in ONE TODAY are done in acrylics and India ink. His vision of the Blanco poem follows us through the day of a multiracial family: a mom, a girl, a boy and the family cat. We see traffic and commerce, apartment buildings and green hills, rivers and snowflakes, and the moon shining down upon the land and the water. There are dancers and shadows and chalk drawings on pavements. We see characters reading and running and feeding the birds. Spread after spread, these paintings with their intense hues remind me of the Dav Pilkey I first knew. It is great to see this side of him once again.
I remember being a young child and having our teacher tell us about the poet--Robert Frost--who had recited a poem at the president’s inauguration. I learned back then that poetry could be much more than a few short rhyming verses. Thanks to ONE TODAY, today’s young people will have a wonderful, illustrated example of the power and beauty of poetry.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
BudNotBuddy@aol.com
https://www.facebook.com/richie.parti...
Moderator http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_...
January 1, 2016
Wonderful poem to discuss with students today. Beautiful illustrations by Dav Pilkey.
April 6, 2017
Great! This was great! I felt empowered just reading this. President Obama enlisted Richard Blanco to write a poem and read it at his second inauguration. One Today is about togetherness, unity, hope, and on this day and from here on out being together as one with one common goal, bettering our country.
I'm almost sad I hadn't found this sooner but so glad that I've found it now. In a first grade or second grade classroom I would use this as a read aloud to begin talking about our classroom as a community. We would talk about how we are different, but that today and every day when we step foot in our classroom we are one, with a shared goal. This could be used to model author style, expression and word choice, during a poetry unit or used as your mentor text. This would also be a great addition to any classroom library. I would love to have a way to keep and remember President Obama's legacy in my classroom. This poem stands as a reminder of the progress we've made as a country and the direction we need to continue to go, absolutely amazing!
I'm almost sad I hadn't found this sooner but so glad that I've found it now. In a first grade or second grade classroom I would use this as a read aloud to begin talking about our classroom as a community. We would talk about how we are different, but that today and every day when we step foot in our classroom we are one, with a shared goal. This could be used to model author style, expression and word choice, during a poetry unit or used as your mentor text. This would also be a great addition to any classroom library. I would love to have a way to keep and remember President Obama's legacy in my classroom. This poem stands as a reminder of the progress we've made as a country and the direction we need to continue to go, absolutely amazing!
April 21, 2017
One Today is a poem that displays our country united as one. Even though the people that make up our country hold different jobs, speak different languages, and are from different cultures we are together as one. President Barack Obama asked Richard Blanco, the author of One Today to write a poem to read at his second inauguration, which has been made into a beautifully illustrated book. This book helped me put aside my busy day and differences with others to remind me that the one thing we all share is the country we live in. The author relates to our everyday experiences to inspire the reader. The illustrations throughout the poem paint an empowering message to go along with Blanco’s inspirational words. This was a WOW book for me because it is easy to get caught up in the negative issues happening in today’s society. However this story reminds me to be thankful of the country I live in.
One Today is poetry that can be read in grades 3-5. This book could be read aloud at the beginning of the school year to set the classroom climate. I could talk with the students about how our country is made up of diverse people but that we are all equal and this is how the classroom will be as well. This book could also be read aloud while talking about diversity in the United States. I could read this book during a poetry unit and have my students write a poem about something that makes them unique or something they feel thankful for. I could give the students a scenario or a prompt that President Donald Trump asked you to write a poem for his inauguration and have the students share as if it was inauguration day. The students could also complete a readers’ theatre with One Today. I could share this poem and Blanco’s delivery of the poem at the inauguration with students as we talk about Presidents or history in the United States as it holds a piece of important history.
One Today is poetry that can be read in grades 3-5. This book could be read aloud at the beginning of the school year to set the classroom climate. I could talk with the students about how our country is made up of diverse people but that we are all equal and this is how the classroom will be as well. This book could also be read aloud while talking about diversity in the United States. I could read this book during a poetry unit and have my students write a poem about something that makes them unique or something they feel thankful for. I could give the students a scenario or a prompt that President Donald Trump asked you to write a poem for his inauguration and have the students share as if it was inauguration day. The students could also complete a readers’ theatre with One Today. I could share this poem and Blanco’s delivery of the poem at the inauguration with students as we talk about Presidents or history in the United States as it holds a piece of important history.
April 20, 2018
The inaugural poem for President Barack Obama titled “One Today” was a well-written and beautifully illustrated piece. I think any grade would be better off for hearing this historical and powerful poetry with a common message of unity in our country. The poem goes through the everyday experiences and interactions of Americans and how while we all live our individual lives and experience different things, we are all tied together through yellow school buses, wooden park benches, and the sound of birds above. Freedom rings in this book and brings about a sense of belonging to a country we can call home. This book can obviously be a lesson on free-verse poem as it is poetry which does not necessarily rhyme. I would also use it in social studies when teaching about president’s and the inauguration process. I think students can really learn a lot from this book. I read this book more than once simply because I knew I would receive something new each time. It wow’d me because I felt as if I couldn’t put it down and it affected my mood in a good way. It gave me hope and compassion for a country that sometimes feels as if there is no good left with all of the news sources and horrible things which occur. I will definitely have a copy of this in my classroom.
January 17, 2020
I got choked up reading this one to my kids before bed. Beautiful poetry and illustrations; but this line had me positively verklempt, “or the impossible vocabulary of sorrow that won’t explain the empty desks of twenty children marked absent today, and forever.” Cue ugly cry, as I read this to my own sweet children tucked safely in their beds.
March 31, 2017
One Today is an incredible poem that would be beneficial for students around the 2nd grade and up level. This book could be used in the classroom for so many different lessons, or just for enjoyment. The poem vividly describes multicultural lives of the people who make up the US. I imagine what it would be like to use this book as a read aloud to the class and to have the class close their eyes while it is being read. I don't think it would be difficult at all for the students to picture what is being to read to them. Even to discuss how to add more details to their writing, this book is a great example of that. After reading this book, you could discuss the many different cultures, jobs, landscapes, etc. of the world in which we live in. I highly recommend this poem as it could provide so many discussions for your classroom.
January 19, 2023
I think this book is amazing, but better for older kids than younger kids (3rd-5th) just because of how much wording and bigger vocabulary there is throughout it. The illustrations however are absolutely immaculate.
December 15, 2015
This picture book version of the inaugural poem for President Obama’s second term is a beautiful example of how poetry can reach young and old alike. Blanco’s poem stretches across the country, speaking to the diversity of our country, the universal things that bind us together, and the aspirations that we all hold dear. Faith, earth, sky, moon and more form a foundation for us all to relate to. This poem uses imagery that children will understand but also makes it bigger and larger and asks readers to see our country as a whole. Beautiful.
Blanco’s language is simple. He writes of “pencil-yellow school buses” and “the day’s gorgeous din of honking cabs.” He ties our every day experiences to larger efforts, to living with a dream, hearing symphonies in the city sounds, giving thanks, feeling praise. Just like with all the best poetry, it begins simple and then reaches up and beyond to the vision that inspires.
Pilkey’s illustrations are lush and lovely. Filled with deep colors, they show diverse people walking the same city streets, feeling the same things, worshiping in their own ways, and being one united country despite our differences. Each page has a young girl and boy witnessing together, seeing how united we can be if we try.
A poem that calls us to be better than we are now by being united and seeing the small things in life that are meaningful to us all. Appropriate for ages 8-11.
Blanco’s language is simple. He writes of “pencil-yellow school buses” and “the day’s gorgeous din of honking cabs.” He ties our every day experiences to larger efforts, to living with a dream, hearing symphonies in the city sounds, giving thanks, feeling praise. Just like with all the best poetry, it begins simple and then reaches up and beyond to the vision that inspires.
Pilkey’s illustrations are lush and lovely. Filled with deep colors, they show diverse people walking the same city streets, feeling the same things, worshiping in their own ways, and being one united country despite our differences. Each page has a young girl and boy witnessing together, seeing how united we can be if we try.
A poem that calls us to be better than we are now by being united and seeing the small things in life that are meaningful to us all. Appropriate for ages 8-11.
November 20, 2016
One Today is a poem written by Richard Blanco in honor of President Obama's second Inauguration. This poem is suitable for students in grades second through fourth. I might use this poem during the thanksgiving season to create a discussion of everyday things we should be thankful for in our lives. Each student could make a book of things to be thankful for to share with their families. Come and experience a typical day in America from dusk to dawn as Blanco's rich use of words turn everyday experiences from our typical lives throughout the United States into rich blessings of what we experience each day. This poem explores our differences, however, it reveals that we are really united as we experience one sun, one light, one ground, one sky. and one moon. This book is a WOW book for me because of the message of unity. I am also reminded of my first grade student who passed away of from a brain tumor. I remember leaving the hospital very early that morning after she had passed and feeling so broken. I remember feeling the brightness of the rising sun and hearing the noise of traffic and even hearing the birds singing their morning songs. I though it very strange that the routines of a day would continue after such a tragedy had just occurred. I was reminded of Avery as I read this book. It reminded me of all that we should be thankful for each day and how we should be united on this planet and appreciate the simple joys we share and experience together.
November 1, 2015
Richard Blanco's poem written for President Obama's second presidential inauguration is a beautiful celebration of America's diversity and illustrated in this picture book format with illustrations by Dav Pilkey.
January 17, 2018
This is a beautiful poem. It makes for a beautiful story. But it is very 2012. Some things are universal in the world, but certain things like the 20 empty desks and seats forever are very specific to US tragedies. Dave Pilkey does an excellent job illustrating, but this is an adult poem. I think kids will like it, but may have trouble grasping its meaning.
July 13, 2017
I know the star of the show should be Barack Obama's inaugural poem, but it was Dav Pilkey's illustrations (which look nothing like what I'd seen of him before) that are the star of this picture book.
January 18, 2017
Dav Pilkey's illustrations are so colorful and lush. They definitely complement the words that flow better from the tongue then being read silently from the page.
Okay for storytimes.
Okay for storytimes.
July 2, 2017
Read during story time at the Little Shop of Stories - Decatur with Emma
July 4, 2017
Read during story time at the Little Shop of Stories - Decatur with mom and dad
July 20, 2018
I needed to read this. I just might need to buy my own copy. It will help me get through these days of blatant racism and hate mongering. It helps me remember.
August 9, 2018
Vibrant illustrations! The poetry is probably too wordy and complex for the usual picture book set. Recommended for older elementary age and above.
December 8, 2019
I like the idea of this book.
December 8, 2020
Beautiful.
December 21, 2016
The illustrations are rich and deep, the poem is powerful but better for an adult reading.
December 30, 2020
Although this book is intended for children I would recommend that anyone read it! One today leaves you inspired, while the beautiful illustrations bring the poem to life!
January 2, 2020
I like the idea of this book.
February 13, 2017
One Today by Richard Blanco Illustrated by Dav Pilkey
Copyright 2015
Poetry
One Today is a poem of President Barack Obama’s inauguration of his second term. The poem talks about the lives of people starting from the morning till dusk. From the start of the day we all begin in our homes doing our morning routines and everyone makes their way to there every day work. However, no matter where everyone ends up we are all under this one sun, one sky, one moon every day. The point of the story is to show that we are all different in our own way, but we together we are one. As a president, Obama wants America to be proud of diversity, but also remember we are equal and together we are the United States of America.
As for the illustrations, Dav Pilkey does a great job of having every color somewhere included in the book. His work is very neat and realistic. It helps me follow along with the story better too. I believe his illustrations helps set the tone of the poem. Overall I would give this book four out of five stars. The pictures are great, but personally the writing confused me at times. I understood the point of the book, but I just thought it could have been achieved better at times.
Copyright 2015
Poetry
One Today is a poem of President Barack Obama’s inauguration of his second term. The poem talks about the lives of people starting from the morning till dusk. From the start of the day we all begin in our homes doing our morning routines and everyone makes their way to there every day work. However, no matter where everyone ends up we are all under this one sun, one sky, one moon every day. The point of the story is to show that we are all different in our own way, but we together we are one. As a president, Obama wants America to be proud of diversity, but also remember we are equal and together we are the United States of America.
As for the illustrations, Dav Pilkey does a great job of having every color somewhere included in the book. His work is very neat and realistic. It helps me follow along with the story better too. I believe his illustrations helps set the tone of the poem. Overall I would give this book four out of five stars. The pictures are great, but personally the writing confused me at times. I understood the point of the book, but I just thought it could have been achieved better at times.
January 23, 2016
It's no longer there, the small building with white siding and a long greenhouse attached. Memories of walking through the moist air, tending the flowers and plants, delivering arrangements and, if fortunate, helping create corsages during a busy time like the senior prom are still vivid in my mind. At sixteen my first job outside of home was working in a local flower shop located on the same street where I lived.
After graduation from high school it was waiting tables during every vacation from college for four years, arriving at work at five in the morning, getting home at four in the afternoon and sleeping until the next day. On campus employment was found in the food commons and at the university library. Upon graduation the salary for my first position as a teacher librarian was $7, 986.00. To this day one word comes to mind when I think of these various employments. It's gratitude.
To be one person in millions contributing to the everyday life in this great nation is surprising and an honor. To be a tiny part in this amazing whole is deeply rewarding. Three years ago to the day, on January 21, 2013 President Barack Obama was sworn into his second term of office. The inaugural poem was released as a picture book on November 11, 2015. One Today (Little, Brown and Company) written by Richard Blanco with illustrations by Caldecott Honoree Dav Pilkey is a stunning tribute to people in the United States, to all people.
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
After graduation from high school it was waiting tables during every vacation from college for four years, arriving at work at five in the morning, getting home at four in the afternoon and sleeping until the next day. On campus employment was found in the food commons and at the university library. Upon graduation the salary for my first position as a teacher librarian was $7, 986.00. To this day one word comes to mind when I think of these various employments. It's gratitude.
To be one person in millions contributing to the everyday life in this great nation is surprising and an honor. To be a tiny part in this amazing whole is deeply rewarding. Three years ago to the day, on January 21, 2013 President Barack Obama was sworn into his second term of office. The inaugural poem was released as a picture book on November 11, 2015. One Today (Little, Brown and Company) written by Richard Blanco with illustrations by Caldecott Honoree Dav Pilkey is a stunning tribute to people in the United States, to all people.
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
March 27, 2016
This is a poem that was read during President Barack Obama’s inauguration. The poem begins with the sunrise and everyone getting ready to start their day. The poem takes the reader through different places across the United States and shows how unique and important everyone’s life is. The story ends with the sun setting and everyone going home feeling the same thing: hope for a better tomorrow. The theme of this poem is that regardless of our diverse backgrounds, we are all Americans united by the same feeling of hope. I really liked this story because it promotes the idea that diversity is good, and should be accepted in our country. I think it’s important for children to be exposed to these kinds of stories with a positive view of diversity, especially now that we are seeing problems in our society regarding this issue. Even though we don’t live in a time of segregation, I have seen that there is still a lot of racism in our country and lack of respect for other cultures. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to talk to children about the topic of racism and acceptance of diversity. It can really open up a conversation about topics that are a bit hard to talk about and what the kids can do to help end racism. This book would be more suitable for children who are 10 years or older because younger children might have a hard time understanding the meaning behind the poem.
December 29, 2015
Poetry has a gift for reaching an audience and finding commonalities and connections. Such is the gift that Richard Blanco and Dav Pilkey have created in this gorgeous picture book edition of One Today, the inaugural poem from President Obama’s ceremony to begin his second term in office. The audience for its initial delivery was government leaders, but this version will reach even the youngest future leader with the journey of one family through one today. Pilkey’s acrylic and India ink illustrations blanket every page in vibrant colors, often reflecting the rays of sunlight blending the sky and city together. The two children plus a cat walk their mother to work at a market and then go about their day exploring, reading, learning, listening, and seeing what the city has in store. The words and pictures are perfectly complementary in both the obvious and subtle text at work, creating connections both intimate and broad. By the end of the One Today, readers can appreciate the differences of our backgrounds, faith and family while understanding the bond and unity that comes with sharing the same sky and ground, sight and sound, color and light, day and night.
April 5, 2016
One Today
Core Curricular Ties: Social Studies and Language Arts
Explanation: This text can bring history to life by showing students the poem that was read at President Obama’s inauguration. Though this is a recent event, it is still a meaningful moment in United States history. The poem by Richard Blanco includes many allusions to both historical events and other texts. In the classroom, the instructor would have the opportunity to have students read this text and then study different aspects of American history.
Rationale: While there are some texts that may cover the race to Obama’s election, this text does a great job of preserving a poignant moment in history. Since this is also a poem, it exposes students to different forms of nonfiction text. Students could also use the text as inspiration for their own poetry. The text is powerful, and could be augmented by watching Richard Blanco perform his poem at the inauguration (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkSRy...).
Core Curricular Ties: Social Studies and Language Arts
Explanation: This text can bring history to life by showing students the poem that was read at President Obama’s inauguration. Though this is a recent event, it is still a meaningful moment in United States history. The poem by Richard Blanco includes many allusions to both historical events and other texts. In the classroom, the instructor would have the opportunity to have students read this text and then study different aspects of American history.
Rationale: While there are some texts that may cover the race to Obama’s election, this text does a great job of preserving a poignant moment in history. Since this is also a poem, it exposes students to different forms of nonfiction text. Students could also use the text as inspiration for their own poetry. The text is powerful, and could be augmented by watching Richard Blanco perform his poem at the inauguration (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkSRy...).
October 15, 2016
One Today is an inaugural poem for President Barack Obama. It tells about the amazing events that happen in a day. The poem starts out by saying when the sun rose it greets our beautiful land and wakes up each of our stories. It describes what his mother and father had to do to support him and his brother. The text of the picturebook tells his story but the illustrations tell another. The illustrations show a mother and her two children. The pictures shows how they go about their day and the people they see during it.
The picturebook has two page spreads throughout. It contains realism in both text and illustration. The text is positioned in any place where there is room. There is no white space which was nice. The vivid images were very stimulating and interesting to read. Even the text was not in simple black, it changed from purple to white throughout the book.
The picturebook has two page spreads throughout. It contains realism in both text and illustration. The text is positioned in any place where there is room. There is no white space which was nice. The vivid images were very stimulating and interesting to read. Even the text was not in simple black, it changed from purple to white throughout the book.
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