Say Something!

by Peter H. Reynolds

The world needs your voice.
If you have a brilliant idea...say something!
If you see an injustice...say something!

In this empowering new picture book, beloved author Peter H. Reynolds explores the many ways that a single voice can make a difference. Each of us, each and every day, have the chance to say something: with our actions, our words, and our voices. Perfect for kid activists everywhere, this timely story reminds readers of the undeniable importance and power of their voice. There are so many ways to tell the world who you are...what you are thinking...and what you believe. And how you'll make it better. The time is now: SAY SOMETHING!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Activism, Inspirational, Social Justice, Fiction, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

First published February 26, 2019

About the author

Peter Hamilton Reynolds is an author and illustrator of children's books and is the co-Founder and CEO of educational media company FableVision.

Reviews

[Rana Heshmati · Rating 4 out of 5]

خيلی دوستش داشتم. ولی كاش كمتر رو بود. کمتر شعاری.

be the change you want to see in the world. ✨

[sAmAnE · Rating 5 out of 5]

کتابی که از درست حرف زدن و تاثیرگذار بودن میگه
پیتر.اچ.رینولدر بی‌نظیره!

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful and inspiring - teaching children that there voice is important and should be heard!

[Sarah Krajewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely a must read! My son says this book deserves a “bonus star” 🌟 because it shows you how important your voice can be.

[Scottsdale Public Library]

Peter Reynolds has crafted an exceptional way to express that there are many ways to use your voice. Bold and bright illustrations make the intangible seem more concrete for younger readers. I like how many forms of sharing and communicating are presented in this book, and the overall message that what kids have to say should be heard and valued. What a great read for K-3 classrooms! See also Word Collector by this same author and The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade by Justin Roberts for more. – Alexis S.

[Payam Ebrahimi · Rating 2 out of 5]

از نظر محتوا کتاب خیلی خوبیه. اما به‌نظرم تصاویر و خصوصاً رنگ‌ها اونقدر قدرت‌مند نیستند. در عین حال که انگار رینولدز توی بازی خودش گیرافتاده و مرتب داره خودش رو تکرار می‌کنه. کتاب‌های رینلودز معمولاً بر اساس یک ایده شکل می‌گیرن، و ایده‌ها و محتوا هم همیشه درست و خوب انتخاب می‌شن. ولی اون عنصر شگفت‌انگیز که مخاطب رو میخ‌کوب کنه و در صفحه صفحه‌ی کتاب با خودش پیش ببره توی آثار جدیدش پیدا نیستن و برخورد نویسنده با ایده‌ها کمی شتاب‌زده به‌نظر میاد. البته که توقع از رینولدز هم بالاست و آدم انتظار نداره یک کتاب عادی ازش بخونه

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Reynolds challenges children to say something, to speak up when children see a lonely person or someone being hurt, to write a poem, to draw something, to help others understand. It's a message children need to hear. An empowering book for children.

[Richie Partington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richie’s Picks: SAY SOMETHING by Peter H. Reynolds, Scholastic/Orchard Books, February 2019, 40p., ISBN: 978-0-545-86503-6

“Oh, look outside the window, there’s a woman bein’ grabbed
They’ve dragged her to the bushes, and now she’s bein’ stabbed
Maybe we should call the cops and try to stop the pain
But Monopoly is so much fun, I’d hate to blow the game”
--Phil Ochs, “Outside of a Small Circle of Friends” (1967)

“So we are speaking up for those who don’t have anyone listening to them, for those who can’t talk about it just yet, and for those who will never speak again.”
-- Emma González (2/26/2018)

“You don’t have to be loud.
Powerful words can be a whisper.
You can say something in so many ways.
With words, with action, with creativity.

If you see someone lonely…
SAY SOMETHING…
...by just being there for them.

If you see an empty canvas…
SAY SOMETHING with your brush.

If you see an empty lot…
SAY SOMETHING by planting a seed and watching it bloom.

If you see someone being hurt…
SAY SOMETHING by being brave.
‘HEY STOP!’”

When you’re trying to get a kid to do something, it’s often much more effective to simplify your message so that it’s clear and right in his or her face. Otherwise, you risk coming off like the trombone sound used to represent the adults in Peanuts animated specials: WAH WAH WAH.

In a picturebook dedicated to young hero Emma González, and designed to encourage kids to speak up for what is right, Peter H. Reynolds employs simple messages that will be readily understood by Pre-Ks and early elementary students.

I like that Reynolds goes beyond urging kids to speak up when something is wrong. It will be fun for young people to embrace and act upon messages like, “If you want to show the world who you are…SAY SOMETHING with style.” The illustration accompanying this spread shows a girl dressing up in cool, stylish garb.

Reynold’s conclusion is perfect:

“Some people find it easier to SAY SOMETHING than others…
...but everyone has something to say.”

It’s tough being a lone voice. It’s much more effective when you’re part of a chorus for change. This is a fun book for getting the youngest voices to chime in. That’s what I say.

Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com

[Nadia L. Hohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This! I am loving the crop of picture books about activism for children. It's really what we need right now and is warming my heart. I know that Peter H. Reynolds wrote The Word Collector which I still have not read yet but I know that it has swept up a huge amount of picture book awards. Say Something reminds me of the ad I always see in the NYC Metro. "If you see something, say something." Young readers are encouraged to speak up and say something and given several everyday scenarios that they would encounter. The books is very empowering, simple, and impactful. The illustrations are also gorgeous. Thank you Peter Reynolds for putting this book out into the world.

[Karyn Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful in all ways.

[Mahdiye Fateh · Rating 2 out of 5]

شاید به نظرم این همه گفتن کلیشه می آمد و مدام توی ذهنم این تکرار میشد که: دو صد گفته چون نیم کردار نیست...

[Amirreza · Rating 4 out of 5]

کتاب از ارتباط میگه
این که حرف بزنیم
اون چیزی رو که فکر میکنیم درسته رو بگیم
و اینکه گفتن اون چیزی که میخوایم صرفا با حرف زدن شکل نمیگیره، با عمل هم میشه.
تنها دلیلی که نمیتونم امتیاز کامل بدم دید نویسنده بود که یه جاهایی دیگه داشت زیادی مثبت میشد

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous! Wonderful! Important!

[Lorrie]

Everyone has a voice.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is good but maybe for a group older than PreK

[Natalie Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a lovely message to kids about how to live a good life…a message that many adults could learn from as well!

[Jeremy Bauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best baby/kids book I’ve read yet

[Stacy Renee (LazyDayLit) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Say Something is such a wonderful and important picture book! It's all about using your voice, speaking up, sharing your ideas, expressing yourself, and making the world a kinder and more peaceful place.

This is such a great reminder to all of the importance of speaking up for ourselves and others, speaking out about injustices, and putting meaningful and kind words out into the world. Words matter!

We loved the colorful backgrounds, all the thought bubbles, and the diverse illustrated individuals. This book has such a bright, positive vibe that it makes me want to share it with everyone I know and more!

I also really love that this is dedicated to Emma Gonzalez; a brave young girl who used her voice to speak out about gun violence in schools.

It's a must read!

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wonderfully upbeat book lets all young readers know that their stories matter and that everyone has something to say. It also validates all forms of expression so that anybody can be a part of the conversation, from shy and quiet folks to those who are bold and daring, from those who are writers, or artists, or musicians, and on and on. Sharing this book with kids would be a great way to talk about ways to share our stories and our ideas.

[Ms. Arca · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me as a me— this is 3 stars. The tempo isn’t my favorite and I’m a curmudgeon who is now a picture book snob.

For me sharing this with a student or child — likely 4 or 5 stars.
I think kids will hear the way Reynolds wrote about using your voice and feel affirmed by it, get chatty with examples from their own lives using his examples, and enjoy the way it’s presented overall.

[Hope Decker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book that I’ve read by the author and I have a lot more on order at my library. I think it is a great one for teaching kids what a good friend looks like. Not only does it promote kindness on every page, it encourages kids to find their voices and use them however they can. Great for pre k through upper elementary I would say.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartfelt picture book that will spark thought provoking discussions about how each of us has a unique voice. Each two page spread is a poster with a bold message that is intended to heal and transform the world around us. An inspiring book for all ages.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's a great little picture book about the power of your voice. Specific examples are illustrated- and show how to say something with and without using your voice. Teach your littles how to make a statement, stand up for others, and stand up for themselves.

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

The picture book companion to Michelle Obama's Becoming.

[Michele Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book to share over and over and over.

[Aliza Werner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words matter. Speak up and say something...for yourself and others.

[Mandy Robek · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read, a must own, a must reread!

[Book Buying With Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love children's books SO MUCH. And this is maybe one of the most beautiful I've ever read. I'm crying. It's fine. Also--the author dedicated it to Emma Gonzalez. And that's really friggin cool.

[Beth Honeycutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks, Angie Hull! Bought it!

[Mary Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must-read and must-use with students to encourage them to use their voices to make the world better!