Why War is Never a Good Idea by Alice Walker and illustrated by Stefano Vitale is a poem put to life in a picture book with beautiful, rich illustrations. This powerful text shows children the affects of war and the innocent bystanders from frogs to children to mothers to villagers who are the victims of war. Here’s a small verse from the book:
Though War has a mind of its own/War never knows/Who/It is going/To hit./ Picture a donkey/Peacefully/Sniffing a pile/Of Straw/
This is a book that could upset children, but it is a book to share with them. If they have questions about war or why their moms or dads are away in the service or why their village is being destroyed by soldiers, this book can help start a dialogue. It’s PERFECT for homeschooling, churches, small counseling groups. We can help children around the world who are victims of war when we educate everyone about the affects of war–this book can help do this!
Alice Walker is the author of The Color Purple and is an activist. She has written other books for children such as: There is a Flower at the Tip of My Nose Smelling Me, Langston Hughes: American Poet, and Finding the Green Stone.
Here she is in an interview on WNYC radio, reading a section of this book. Very powerful–only about two minutes long, so please take time to watch:
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