The Protest (Confetti Kids)

by Samantha Thornhill, Shirley Ng-Benitez (Illustrator)

In this new book in the popular Confetti Kids series, Lily and her friends organize a protest in order to save their neighborhood public garden from being demolished.
Five friends from diverse backgrounds learn how to navigate common childhood challenges, new experiences, and the world around them in the realistic and kid-friendly Confetti Kids early chapter books. In this story, Lily learns that the community garden is going to be torn down and made into a parking lot. Lily and her friends are upset by the news. They decide to form a protest and call on friends, neighbors, and reporters to participate and save their beloved garden. On the morning of the protest, Lily is unsure if their efforts will work. After all, she and her friends are just kids, and no one is going to listen to them. . . . Or can they prove that kids can make a difference too?

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

Published January 12, 2021

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Lee & Low Books through Edelweiss+
Lily rallies her friends to save their community garden after the city announces plans to build a parking lot instead. Readers see the steps they take to organize and hold a protest. The simple text is easy for lower and mid elementary level readers to read on their own. This also works as a read aloud or family read. Colorful illustrations support the message.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the "Dive into Reading" series of beginning readers, this one has a predictable story, simple dialogue, and a vocabulary that is just right for emergent readers.

Lily is distressed to see that her friend Mr. Sam is unhappy; it seems that a developer wants to turn their community garden into a parking lot. When Lily shares this with her diverse circle of friends, they come up with the idea of holding a protest rally in support of the garden. They organize the event, gathering support from other neighbors. The day of the rally, Mr. Sam gets a phone call that the developer will call a temporary halt to his plan and put off his plans - at least for this year.

Tan's story is straightforward kid-driven. It is empowering that the kids were able to work together to get a social issue such as this done. Shirley Ng-Benitez's digitally altered watercolor artwork is bright and cheerful. Suggestions of how to become socially active in your community are included in the back of the book.

This would be a useful title to have as a beginning reader for those beginning readers who are dealing with the grief of a lost pet.

Optional purchase for grades K-2.

[Thompson McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lily discovers the neighborhood garden is facing ruin. Plans are to turn the beloved garden into a parking lot! Rallying her friends behind her, Lily decides kids can do a lot and they can save their garden.



Lily and her friends make signs, create a chant and invite neighbors and friends to a rally in one week. It starts small with Lily t's a big rally and a news reporter covers it. The city decides to wait a year and leave the garden alone. Lily vows to be ready next year if the city tries to take their garden.

A cute story that shows kids in action and promoting change in their own world. Great message for young readers.



Recommended ages 4-8.

[Jared White · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple book which shows that kids can make a difference in their community. I like that the garden was only saved for a year (so far), I felt that made it more realistic and perhaps wouldn't get readers hopes up too much for changes they are fighting for. Along with that, I like the hint that the year will be spent coming up with ideas for more lasting change.

There's great racial diversity and demonstrated teamwork. Though not a main character, there is also a child who uses a wheelchair who appears in two illustrations, along with his mother, who wears a hijab.

[Courtenay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple story illustrating the power of the people, even young kids. My only quibble with books like this is... where do kids even GET these ideas (to hold protests and rallies) unless they have parents or other adults suggesting ways to get things done? "No cars, no, let our garden grow." Simple, succinct, and effective. Oh if it were only that easy... This book was part of a collection in Seattle Public Library monthly display on voting and change -- since I love picture books I thought I'd see what the author had to say.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an eARC courtesy of Edelweiss and Lee & Low Books in exchange for my honest review.

This book is simple, but has a important message at its heart. Full of fun illustrations and a diverse array of characters, this is one book that will not be disappointing to have on your library's shelves.

I think adults will appreciate that while there is a happy ending, there is still a sense that it is not permanent. Optimistic without being overly done.

[Annamarie Carlson (she, her)]

Lily learns that their community garden is going to be closed down and turned into a parking lot! Her friends work hard planning a rally to save the garden. But will their hard work pay off?

Another fun addition to the Confetti Kids series. A great, simple example of community activism.

[Zack]

Good illustrations and story, and empowering in a simple way. Clearly made by someone who gets kids books.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Social action (introduction to), diverse, POC main characters, kid empowerment, garden

[SamSamSam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked that this book depicted activism as a continuous fight

[A Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this book at our local library because it seemed to be about kids making a difference in their community in real life ways and I want my children to know they can make a difference too. Unfortunately, I think this book might've been better if it had been written for a higher reading level. I was left longing for more of an explanation for young readers about protests, rallies, losing community spaces and green spaces in urban areas, etc. In the end, the person in the book gets a phone call saying that the builders would wait until next year to build the parking lot. In response the main character says, " When they try to turn our garden into a parking lot again, we will be ready!"

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.