The Hawk and the Dove

by Paul Kor, Annette Appel (Translator)

The hawk is sad. He is tired of war. So, he changes his face and puts on gloves. Whoosh! He has become a gentle dove. And all around him, the world is at peace. No more canon blasts. No more bombs. Planes turn into butterflies. Soldiers' guns sprout dazzling flowers. Everyone is joyful as a blanket of calm envelops the world. However, though happy now, the dove still worries. Will it last?

The late Paul Kor, an internationally acclaimed Israeli author-illustrator, sought to create a miracle with this book borne out of his own brutal experiences of war. With its striking illustrations, the simple but powerful story offers a hopeful message of peace in a time of uncertainty. Clever paper cuts allow readers to play an active role in the transformations with every turn of the page, thus encouraging children to recognize they have the power to affect change, including when it comes to choosing peace over war in the future. This book provides an accessible look at the concepts of war and peace and would make a terrific discussion starter on the subject. It could also be a model for an art lesson on papercutting. A note at the end of the book details the inspiration behind the story and the book's creation, accompanied by photographs.

Genres: Picture Books, War, Childrens, Animals

30 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Etienne · Rating 2 out of 5]

A rhythmic prose about peace in this book. While I respect the message in it and the originality of this book, the result is not that interesting. The illustrations, more like a scrapbook made by a kid, and no story, just more message about peace in each page. Good message, but bad book!

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Israeli children's author and artist Paul Kor, perhaps best known for his trilogy of picture-books about Flash the Fish - of the three, only the first, כספיון הדג הקטן in the original Hebrew, has been translated into English - here meditates on the idea of war and peace. As the hawk transforms himself into a dove, various means of war are also transformed, whether it be tanks into tractors, or planes into butterflies. But despite this welcome development, the dove worries that one day there will be another hawk...

The second picture-book I have read from Kor, The Hawk and the Dove put me strongly in mind of the passage from the Book of Isaiah, from the Hebrew Bible (or Old Testament, depending upon one's religious persuasion) about turning swords into ploughshares. According to the brief afterword, the book was conceived in 1967, during the Six-Day War, and completed in 1982, during the Lebanon War. It draws upon Kor's work during both of those periods, as well as the drawings he did as a boy, living in World War II-era Europe. A poignant and poetic plea for peace, one that never loses sight of the fact that war is always a possibility down the road, it is also a beautifully designed book, with the transformations mentioned above being depicted through the use of half-pages on each spread, with the object in question appearing in its war-like appearance on the front, and in its peaceful aspect once the half-page is turned.

I found this a thoughtful book, but am unsure to whom I would recommend it. Perhaps to those looking for books about war and peace, and the hope for peace? Undoubtedly, to admirers of Paul Kor's artwork as well.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very simple picture book about turning swords into plowshares. A hawk has enough of war, and so dresses as the dove of peace, and all the war like things aorund him get changed to peaceful versions. The warplanes turn into butterflies, as show below.





The cutouts are very nice, and the story is simple and to the point, and that is about it. In the end, it hints that war will return.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Poongothai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hawk, symbol of war turns to Dove, symbol of peace. War machinery turns into peaceful things. Illustrations are made with paper cut out techniques and are simple and colourful.

It is supposed to have special cuts into the pages as part of design hinting at change that would be revealed with the turn of the page.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Hawk and the Dove by Paul Kor. PICTURE BOOK. Kids Can Press, 2019. $17. 9781525301254

BUYING ADVISORY: NOT RECOMMENDED

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

By a hawk simply donning a mask and gloves it becomes a dove, causing war all around the war to stop and all the implements of war to turn into peaceful things. Until, that is, a possible new hawk lurks in the background.

I’m so confused by this book. The hawk doesn’t actually change its nature -- it just hides its true self behind a mask. How can that stop war in its tracks? While I understand this is just a wish, it has no foundation to foster belief in that wish - especially when it points out the hawks still lurking to unleash war again. Beyond the plot, the uneven rhyming, that sometimes disappears, doesn’t make for a smooth read aloud experience, either.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexander Pope an 18th-century English poet penned, "Hope springs eternal in the human breast: Man never is, but always to be blest."

A Hawk changes into a gentle dove because he's sad and oh so tired of the wars he witnesses around him. Radical changes occur: tanks turn into tractors, warplanes into butterflies, and the world becomes peaceful once again. There are no more canons loudly blasting or bombs dropping from the sky. That results in making everyone happy and feeling safe and secure once more. However this peace-loving dove is cautiously optimistic ... can his euphoric feelings last?

The late Paul Kor is an internationally acclaimed author-illustrator who bases his book on his experiences of the terrible wars that are raging around him. His paper cut illustrations are beautifully executed and his message is very powerful. He encourages those that read this simple, profound book that by working together we can give peace a chance. He has included at the end of the book a notation that explains how this book was inspired. I highly recommend it.

[Maura · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was disappointed enough in this book after reading it to my kids to have a discussion about all the reasons we didn’t like it very much. They learned a new word: cliched. We talked about:
1. The oversimplistic images of soldiers with flowers sticking out of their guns, supposedly bringing happiness everywhere
2. The imagery of hawks as hate-filled, when we know hawks (the birds) are predators, yes, but not motivated by hatred.
3. The presentation of many cliched images for transforming armed conflict into peace and harmony, but no realistic or creative strategies for bring about peace. No mention of determined peace protestors, resistance, nada.

The best takeaway was the experience of reasoning, reflecting, and articulating why we don’t like a book with my young readers.

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that shows the translator's mastery of rhyming couplets, as the gentle verse conveys the end of warfare with consummate ease. The text, which concerns a hawk who chooses to become a dove shows how it's a simple decision to commit to peace – but unless that's the end of hawks everywhere, that might not be enough. (Cue countless comparisons with countless Middle Eastern conflicts.) A book that's hard to review as an e-arc, for the end product promises uniquely cut pages, which aid to the evocation of the changes. I couldn't see any clues as to what those could be without the real thing in front of me. But what I did see was perfectly fine as a rhyme with a message for the young.

[Amanda Sanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

The papercut illustrations are the best part of this book. The story is about war machines turning into peaceful things. The papercuts take a very small piece of the war machine and use it to represent a flower or feather. It was not enough of a piece to say it was impressively creative. The words do not create any vivid images or reasons for change. It is no match for Dr. Seuss' "Butter Battle Book." There is another unknown book called "They Played Marbles" that handles this subject better too.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Kids Can Press through NetGalley.
The paper art illustrations are incredible. Kor creates a story so many long for. The Hawk is tired of war and turns himself into a Dove. The rest of the story takes the reader through how much this would change the world.
Information provided on the illustration style at the end of the book.
This would be a terrific read aloud for mid to upper elementary level.
Kor has created a book that can be the basis for discussion at any age.

[Barbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this story the hawk, as a symbol of war, turns into a symbol of peace, the dove. In the rest of the story other things in life related to war become peaceful symbols. A good chance for parents and teachers to talk about what has happened in the past, and current global situations. However it feels important to remind children these symbols can not just magically turn into something else. The discussion would be how peace can be achieved.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simplistic view of how visions of war can be turned to peace.

This rhyming poem is largely a dreamer's statements advocating peace. While Kor's intent is admirable, the result is not very appealing for youngsters. There is no real action, no plot to keep them reading. The star of the book is Kor's papercut collage illustrations.

Included is a short essay on Kor's life and how this book was created. Very interesting!

Additional for PreSchool-grade 2.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hawk and the Dove is a beautiful yet simplistic book about peace after war-- war planes become butterflies, battleships become sailboats, and a hawk becomes a beautiful, gentle dove. This was initially made in 1982, finally seeing the light of day! The paper collage style inspired by Matisse is also similar to Eric Carle's beloved art style.

[Dylan Coomes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book is an excellent choice for a read-aloud as it appeals to a younger audience through the characters and message about how peace can resolve conflict. However, it also appeals to an older audience maybe a teacher or a parent for the undertones about character and the hard topic of war.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice story about the hawk (war) turning into a dove (peace) and everything turning from a negative into a positive. The illustrations were really nice, simple & colourful. I enjoyed the rhyming, I felt like it could almost be sang.

[Alyssa Mandell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very unique book that shows the symbolism of war turning into peace. The book uses paper art and paper flaps to convey the message of hope. This would be a great one-on-one story because it is physically very interactive.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple but hopeful message about choosing peace over war.

[Lisa Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't realize the hawk was a symbol of war. Neat concept.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An elementary and up book with differnt sized pages to show war images becoming peace images. Very interesting

[Mary Lou · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not about birds, and not really for children. Simplistic "Why can't we all just get along?" anti-war tripe.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[TheOtherJessyca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely book with nice illustrations. My boys enjoyed reading this. I like the message of peace. I wools recommended

[Tiffany Neal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for providing this digital ARC in exchange for a review.

This picture book was short and simple in words about turning war to peace. The paper collage illustrations were fantastic and really caught my eye, but the story line itself was just okay.

This book would be good for K-3 classrooms.

[RedRobinXXX · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am reviewing this book for Paul Kor, Kids Can Press, and NetGalley who gave me a copy of their book for an honest review.
Lovely illustrations which show war and peace via the hawk and the dove.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great picture book with a powerful meaning. It has wonderful prose, and simple, yet beautiful illustrations as well.