Starred review from July 15, 2023
A Black child's walk with Granny is a neighborhood event when the destination is the voting booth. Granny is taking her grandchild on "THE WALK," but she doesn't say where they are going--only that "there's a few treasured souls coming, too." With a backpack, water, and sandwiches, the young narrator and Granny "WALK ON," stopping at a neighbor's house, the barber shop, and Mrs. Wong's. At each stop, the child wonders if they've reached their destination, but instead, more people from the neighborhood join their walk. At last, the crowd arrives at the child's school--but there's no school today. Granny reveals the reason all these "treasured souls" have walked all this way: "for hope" and to "speak up." Bingham effectively carries readers through an important yet simple event while conveying its significance as a milestone for an individual, a family, a community, and a nation. The child's-eye view of the day, clear prose, and strong relationships between characters make this an engrossing read, while statements about injustice are communicated subtly in comments between adult characters and the length of the walk itself--layers that can be unpacked with children who are ready to learn more. Lewis' work is at its best here; detailed watercolor paintings immerse readers in the life of a multicultural community on a bright day. (This book was reviewed digitally.) This lovely introduction to an essential topic will be a new classic. (Picture book. 4-8)
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Starred review from September 15, 2023
K-Gr 2-This stirring picture book will inspire kids (and the adults in their lives) to speak up, stand up, and say what's on their minds. Granny tells her granddaughter that she is taking them on "The Walk," but they have to pick up a few souls on the way. The picture book's narrator is confused but joins her grandmother in gathering people from the neighborhood to make the long walk to the voting booth. In cars and on the streets, the trip is celebratory, determined, and triumphant, despite the long distance. This call to participatory democracy told through the eyes of a Black girl is a rallying cry to the next generation of voters and their grown-ups who may be discouraged because of recent elections. The sea of faces approaching the polls is diverse. The main characters are Black, and many of the other voters are BIPOC. The narrator connects with an Asian girl, and they walk hand in hand in front of their grandmothers, united in their purpose to make a change in their communities. Lewis's textured watercolor illustrations magnify Bingham's vitalizing words. The parade of people of all races, body types, and abilities recalls the marches that have taken place to secure the right to vote for every citizen, especially those who are non-white. Regardless of the result, The Walk is how voters can make positive change and be molded into the leaders of tomorrow. VERDICT Gorgeous writing paired with luminous art and combined with an impactful message make this work an essential purchase.-Shelley M. Diaz
Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Starred review from September 1, 2023
Grades K-3 *Starred Review* "My granny is taking me on THE WALK," says a Black girl who isn't quite sure what that means or where they're going on this cold, sunny day. Her grandmother says that leaders are "made through molding and modeling." As they walk, they're joined by some "treasured souls," including an elderly lady with a walker, the local barber and all the men sitting in his shop, and Mrs. Wong, accompanied by her granddaughter. Together they march into the local school, where the adults exercise their right to vote. As Granny explains, "Voting is how grown folks speak up. It's how we stand up and say what's on our minds." It's an important message, delivered lightly in this handsome picture book. Granny speaks her mind but doesn't lecture. Similarly, Bingham doesn't burden the story with history lessons, but lets her audience absorb what they can from the story. And the girl's narrative is that of a quiet observer. Lewis brings scenes to life in a series of beautiful paintings portraying the walkers as a diverse group of individuals taking part in a meaningful shared experience. Serious but not solemn, this picture book is an excellent read-aloud choice for classroom units on democracy, civil rights, and voting.
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Starred review from October 9, 2023
A Black child narrator accompanies her grandmother as they embark on a lengthy walk in this significant picture book about the power of voting. Starting at their home, the two trek through several neighborhoods, stopping along the way—at a barber shop, a church, and Mrs. Wong’s—to pick up other “treasured souls” (“traveling in a group,/ talking like family,/ together, a community”). Though the child doesn’t know where the walk will take them, understated dialogue shows the adults around her alluding to the tradition’s importance: “I thought after 2008, I could skip a few of these walks. But I see we need them more than ever.” Hints about voting inequality (“The walk wasn’t always this long... But folks keep making it longer”) provide subtle context about where the stroll is taking the group—and, when they arrive at the polling site, why showing up and casting a vote are a must. Portraiture-centered watercolor illustrations from Lewis (You Are My Pride) bring a clear-eyed realism to thoughtful conversational text by Bingham (Soul Food Sunday); together, the two tackle a weighty topic by leaving plenty of room for additional discussion. Ages 4–8.