Reader Response: 

The book "Swim Team" hit close to home for me with the reluctance of the main character to try something new out of her comfort zone. When we make the decision to try out something new any minor setback can feel like a great failure. Even more so when any disparaging comments someone else remarks upon, no matter how minor, can bring all of our niggling self-doubts forward front and center. This is deeply personal for me because during my first year of doing taekwondo in middle school, I had such low self confidence that anytime someone criticized my lack of technique I wanted to quit and never try again. However, much like Bree I had someone besides just the instructor who helped me out and believed that I could do it. The author takes full advantage of using the graphic novel format to really drive the points home in conjunction with the text. For example, from pages 96 to 104 it both shows Bree’s inner monologue as the days pass with her learning how to swim from Etta after school. How “Each day, she’d teach a new skill to add to what I’d already learned. Like we do in math class or like when I’m working on my puzzle.” Meanwhile the images show the days passing by and how each new day Bree learns something new and how the support of the community around her has greatly helped her become more confident. This all comes to a stunning full page visual on page 100 where she is fully submerged in the deep end of the pool and while she is at first afraid you see along with her all of the things she sees: “…and there’s Mr. O’Leary’s hary chicken legs. And my favorite handrail.” We feel the exhilaration along with Bree as she puts together all her past knowledge and becomes a swimmer. “Just keep moving your arms and legs like Ms. Etta showed you. It’s working! I’m start to…rise!” Meanwhile we visually see her push off from the bottom of the pool and break through the surface.

This book addresses the importance of community and having a strong support network. Sometimes even though we fight with those closest to us, that comes from the deep care we have for one another. While I do not belong to the same ethnic group, as the majority of the main characters are African American, it does address the importance of knowing our history and of community. In pages 80-84 Etta talks to Bree about how Black people have a long history of swimming that interrupted due to segregation laws and discrimination. What makes this even more powerful is that the images shown on these pages are overlayed on a jigsaw puzzle which is a recurring theme in this book. The theme being of putting together all our missing pieces to be whole. Furthermore, a little more than halfway into the book the main characters, Bree, Clara, Phillipa, and Keisha have a falling out and they fix the issues in their team and friendship by helping Etta reconnect with her old swim teammates. Which once again is shown visually as one of Etta’s puzzles from the beginning of the book that was missing pieces as completed. Pages 202-206 expand on the general history from pages 80-84 but make it more personal because it is the story of Etta and her team and how that team fell apart due to racial discrimination. “The man at the entrance let Mari and her friends in, but when it was our turn to enter.. ‘This pool ain’t for you.’ ” It serves as a reminder to all of us about how we need to stand up for one another and that we can correct our mistakes.

Overall my reaction to the text was very positive because it showed how little changes can have a big effect. It tackled some serious topics like discrimination and prejudice, bullying, and responsible decision making in an easy to understand way. Swim Team also did not talk down to its audience while doing so and showed diverse representation. For example, on page 91 Clara helps Bree find a protective hair style for her hair that would be good for the pool. “You need a hairstyle that’s good for the pool. Let’s see…” It challenges the notion that Black people won’t swim so that their hair doesn’t get wet. There are panels at the bottom of page 92 and top of page 93 where they show the diversity of possible hair styles until finding one that Bree likes. In the first panel, she says “Too…complicated?” when she and the audience are shown the first style. For the second style we are once again shown her hairstyle and her reaction to it. “Regal! But maybe too much work to maintain?” Until finally we see the last one which she proclaims to love and we see her with that same hairstyle for the remainder of the book. The characters also have a variety of skin tones, hair styles, and body types. Which shows not just the racial diversity, but also in other dimensions. A neat detail I also like was that we can tell Bree’s family is Caribbean, not because we are every explicitly told, but instead are shown through the food she and her father eat at home. I think that this book helps highlight diversity, and inclusion. There is no mistaking why this book won a Corretta Scott King award, but it also has broad appeal to an audience beyond that.

Evaluation: 

This book was both relatable to me and also gave me a deeper understanding on the nuances of natural hair and its history. It was relatable to me because while I have a different curl type than Marlene and her family, I too didn't know how to take care of my curly hair growing up. However, the circumstances were a bit different. For me, my mom didn't have curly hair and my dad didn't have to deal with LONG curly hair. Whereas, for Marlene the reasons she doesn't really know how to take care of her curly hair has to do with society not accepting her curly hair due to Anti-Blackness. 

Tone:

I felt like I was Marlene in that salon chair having to get her hair straightened. My mom would help me spend 2.5 hours straightening my hair for formal events. She never forced me to like Marlene's mom forced her, but similar to Marlene, I didn't know another way to make my hair look nice. The elation Marlene feels when she learns a curly hair routine that works for her was how I felt when I found out how to actually take care of my hair. The end of the book was especially touching for this reason. 

Theme:

This book hits upon beauty standards and why talking about hair acceptance is not just about hair itself. Marlene has a conversation with her Tia Ruby on page 150 about the reason some hair is seen as good or bad has to do with Anti-Blackness. [Marlene]: "But why? Why don't we like our own hair?" [Ruby]: "Because of something called anti-Blackness." It also visually shows how those ideas can be passed down from one generation to the next on page 149, 151, and the mom's flashback on page 129. Marlene's mom is a great example of how these ideas can become internalized, be passed from one generation to the next, and accidentally hurt those we want to protect. The book does show how those ideas can be unlearned, but it does take take (p.202).

Illustrations

The illustrations are engaging and the visuals augment the story. We as the audience can see all the different textures and kinks of the curly hair. The curls themselves tell a story too. For example at the beginning we see how the Marlene's curls gradually frizz up out of her salon-styled hairdo for her cousin Diana's quinceanera. The little baby hairs starting to break through after dancing with Tania on page 30, the notable full frizz after sharing a moment with her cousin Yesenia and dancing on page 37, and then her gradual panic of having to pictures like that from pages 38 to 40. The illustrator also do a fantastic job of capturing Marlene's emotions. The color choices are also very intentional as the colors are generally pastels and soft shades which convey a sense of girlhood. However, when there is a color change it is intentional. These changes show a tonal shift, a flashback, or a heightened emotion.

This was a quick read that I felt balanced its storytelling, character development, and roller coaster of emotions in a very fun way. It told an important story that both shows how the the mom is an unintentional antagonistic figure to Marlene by perpetuating hurtful beauty standards, that she herself has internalized. Meanwhile, she also deeply loves and cares about her daughter and in the end accepts the beauty of their shared natural curly hair. 

Evaluation: 

Themes

"We Are Water Protectors" explores themes of environmentalism, Indigenous rights, and the importance of water and protecting it. The importance of water is established early on with "We come from water" and the a beautiful illustration showing water and a pregnant woman with a baby in her womb inside of a crescent moon. Which then continues with the importance and sacredness of water to the main character's people. How the "black snake" was foretold which would "Spoil the water./Poison plants and animals./Wreck everything in its path." On that page it shows a pipeline with oil spilling out of it that has a bird and fish next to it, with their lower halves x-rayed to see their bones. There is also a frog fleeing away from the black snake. This is just one, among many examples, of environmental impacts. The combination of the lyrical text and striking illustrations, serve as an inspiration to readers to take action and recognize the interconnectedness of all living things. This is a very Indigenous view of the natural world, that we exist with nature rather than above it. We can see that several times the main character's hair takes on the shape of water, more specifically a river and there is life coming from there. 

Design and Layout

The cover of the back and every page focuses on the balance of nature and unity. Whether it is the hands linked together in the background of the cover of the book and in many pages throughout or the fact that the only living being ever seen completely on its own is the black snake. The word placement varies by page to best highlight the visual elements on the page and to not detract from the illustrations. 

All of the pages are 2 page spreads with the exception of 3 single page spreads that follow the same structure. The left hand page has the following text in the middle of a circle of people with drums in what looks like a highlighted circle surrounded by nature. "We stand/With our songs/And our drums./We are still here." The first time it is a deep purple, the second time it is a soft forest green, the third time it is a light orange brown like autumn. Each time the page comes in the story it has a slightly different purpose. It's repetition serves three primary functions. First is to emphasize the resilience and strength of Indigenous peoples. Second is to create a sense of unity and solidarity among indigenous people who are the titular water protectors. Finally, it serves as a source of empowerment and advocates for change. 

Illustrations

The illustrations in "We Are Water Protectors" enhances the storytelling and evokes emotion in very intentional ways. First off, the use of predominately cool colors serves to emphasize the theme of water. Except when showcasing the red background of danger with the unnatural looking black snake. If the black snake looks out of place in this book, it is because it is meant to. This is the threat of oil poisoning the water and show how community comes together to fight the black snake.

Another important note is that the illustrations are watercolor. This seems like an intentional choice being that the theme of the book is the importance of protecting water and out interconnectedness with nature. As mentioned before, the girl's hair emulates water several times throughout the books, a river flowing behind her as she runs and encourages herself, and by extension the reader, to "TAKE COURAGE!" and rally people together to fight against the doom the black snake brings. 

The black snake is a visual metaphor for oil and oil pipelines that threaten rivers and streams all over the United States. If it wasn't made obvious by showing an oil pipeline and then immediately introducing the threat as the black snake, the end of the book explicitly has an illustrator's note about the Standing Rock Water Protectors. 

Evaluation: 

Character

CJ's personality really shines through with how the story is written. He is a dynamic character and experiences character growth on the journey on the bus along Market Street. He initially complains and his general worldview is dissatisfied. This is evidence when he bemoans their lack of car and necessity to take the bus. However, along his journey he begins to embrace gratitude and empathy. He also gains an appreciation for the beauty around him. This happens as a direct result of a few things. One is his grandmother's patient and resolute answers to his questions and her encouragement to appreciate the beauty around them. Second is due to his interactions with the other people on the bus, like the blind man he talks to " "Some people watch the world with their ears. / "That's a fact. Their noses too." the man said." " or the musician who plays his guitar on the bus and CJ closes his eyes and gets lost in the sound. "He saw sunset colors swirling over crashing caves. Saw a family of hawks slicing through the sky. Saw the old woman's butterflies dancing free in the light of the moon." This all culminates beautifully at the end when he tells his grandmother that he's glad they came. He is grateful for the journey and for the little things in life.

Pacing

Overall the pace is unhurried, which allows readers to immerse themselves fully into CJ's journey. They are riding along with CJ and each momen is given time to happen. The story could just gloss over the bus ride and try to rush us along to get them from the church to the soup kitchen. But instead, we see every step of CJ and his grandmother's journey. We see them as they are leaving the church, making a run for the bus, getting on the bus, all of their interactions, walking along market street, and finally arriving to the soup kitchen. The dialogue is a major part of the story and each interaction CJ has with a new person is given time for him to enter it, engage, and reflect on it. The pacing mirrors the same leisurely pace characteristic of a Sunday afternoon. The deliberate pace invites readers to slow down and enjoy the journey together with CJ and his grandmother. 

Illustrations

The illustrations in "The Last Stop on Market Street" are collage-like and show an urban setting very straightforwardly. The images look like a collage and are very good at bringing the setting. This is not a magical wonderland, this is a glamour-free real setting. The paintings are more warm colors and depict the inner world of the protagonist. The illustrations are mostly simple, block shapes but emphasize small details. This lends itself well to reinforcing the message of the text of appreciating beauty in small things. 

Evaluation: 

Theme

In "The Dream Train" the collection of poems all center around the theme of the routine of bedtime and all the wonders that await us in dreamland. This is a timeless theme that is sure to resonate with young readers. While there are numerous sleep-themed poetry books besides this one, shows Taylor's use of rhyme, rhythm, and repetition to help children get ready for bed. For example, "Moonrise. Bat flies. Night skies. Sleepy sighs. / Teddy eyes. Beddy-byes. Lullabies. Shut your eyes." (p. 16). I like that the theme is straight forward: time to unwind and sleep with a colleciton of poems that do not have to be read in a linear fashion. 

Mood

The atmosphere the writing evokes is one designed to stimulate the imagination. The collection of poems are written in a variety of poetry styles, but maintain a consistent lyrical quality throughout. That coupled with its vibrant illustrations that are simplistic and bordering almost on absurd, helps to create a dreamlike quality to the book. This lends itself to a playful and light-hearted mood which seems to be placing an enchantment on its reader to slip into slumber and 

Illustrations

Allepuz's illustrations are mixed media and seem to glow with warmth. There is a soft, unfocused quality to them that makes the collection of poems feel like a dream. This expressionistic style lends itself well to establishing the mood of the picture storybook. It is obvious that the illustrators is creating a safe and inviting atmosphere.

There is a distinct lack of sharp edges and almost blur into one another, similar to how our eyesight becomes blurry and unfocused as we start to drift off to sleep. It also keeps children from focusing too much on the particular details of the illustrations and relaxing their eyes.  

The subject matter is dreamy poetry, which can be quite whimsical in nature. The gorgeous two-page spread illustrations separate the poems from one another, while the abundance of grays, blues, and purple's in the color scheme keep the book cohesive. It also keeps a common thread going throughout the whole book

Overall, the illustrations captures the essence of falling off into sleep and are perfect for capturing the difference between the hustle and bustle of the day and the quiet stillness of the night. 

Evaluation: 

Style and Language

Reading through this book reminded me of reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid for the first time. It has the same appeal of humor, silliness, and comic-book like format. It can get even the most reluctant of readers engrossed in its story. Oliver's Great Big Universe is also layered with science explained by a child. I personally liked how accessible it was and even as an adult reading it explained complicated astrophysics concepts in an easily digestible way. There are several laugh out loud moments that were also endearing and helped expand upon a concept. For example in chapter 7 Oliver and his new friend, Evie, draw comics about all of the planets as if they were middle school students. However, Oliver gets called to the principal's office and has to explain that "Uranus" has nothing to do with butts and then calls Dr. Howard as an expert witness. 

Tone

Jorge Cham really utilizes his background knowledge with his PhD in robotics and scientific background to craft a thoroughly engaging book for children. There is a lot of intellectual gatekeeping that happens in regards to academia, but this book seeks to make that knowledge more accessible. It actually remind me a lot of the show Cosmos, both the 1979 Carl Sagan show and the 2014 remake with Neil deGrasse Tyson. Both of these were astrophysicists who made shows to talk about these concepts with the average person. 

Design and Layout

There are a lot of potty humor jokes in this book, which is definitely not for everyone, but I think it works for the target demographic. I personally never truly outgrew my potty humor stage and thought that it was a clever way to inject humor into some dense subject matter and explain some of the concepts. The graphic novel, comic-esque type elements really helped to show the scale of the universe. For example on page 150 and 151, there is a 2 page spread to explicitly show the size difference between the Sun and Earth. Then on page 99 there is a reference to the size of the planets and to what they'd look like if they all took a family photo together. 

Overall this book does a great job being both educational and hilarious. 

Evaluation: 

Style and Language:

"Monarch Butterflies" is well-written and takes a lot of information and condenses it down to a fun and informative read. There is a deliberate use of precise vocabulary. It uses the correct scientific terminology and trusts in its young readers ability to decode the meaning and understand what is being said. The words are not frivilosly complex; there is a purpose to each word. However, that does not meant the writing is mechanical, it describes the natural processes in a beautifully poetic way. "The butterfly clings to the case, its wings still crinkled. It is pumping hemolymph, or insect blood, from its body out to the wings. The wings unfurl like beautiful velvet." (p. 13). 

This provides sensory detail so that we as readers make discoveries on our own. The progression is also very logical. By first introducing to the monarchs, then its habitat and all the other creatures it shares habitat with, introducing migration, and then mentioning the cultural impact of them we receive a lot of information without feeling overwhelmed. By getting the readers invested, we get towards the end of the book which talks about threats to this magnificent creature we've just spent the majority of the book learning about. The book ends on just the slightest persuasive note by providing information about what we the readers can do to help monarchs and even rear them ourselves. 

Accuracy:

The primary purpose of the book is to inform and “Monarch Butterflies” goes to great lengths to present the most accurate information about the life cycle and behaviors of monarch butterflies. It presents the information logically by starting at the egg before moving onto its larval stages. Furthermore, it makes the information presented relevant to its audience. For example, on one of the pages it says ”The caterpillar will grow to 2,000 times its original size. What is 2,000 times your birth weight?” The anatomy take great care to make sure that each section is properly labelled and corresponds to scientific diagrams. To get even more accuracy, a close-up of the head is also provided with clearly labelled ocelli, antennae, maxillary palps, spinneret, mandibles, and all of the head capsule. Not only is all of the information factually accurate, but so too are the illustrations. how accurate is the part about rearing and the biggest threats to monarchs today. 

To help determine accuracy, we would need to compare the information presented in the book with reputable sources. These sources could be scientific journals, educational materials, or expert opinions.

Another thing that supports the book’s accuracy is the fact that even though it is a children’s book, it is set up like a textbook or an academic journal article. Not only does it have fun facts at the end for further reading and exploration, but it also has a glossary and index. Furthermore, there is a curriculum guide for educators which shows that “Monarch Butterflies” is also set to line up with educational standards. The further sources included at the book are also reputable.

Lastly, one of the biggest insight into the accuracy of this book is the author herself. Ann Hobbie is an authority on monarchs and works at a nature center. She wanted to educate the general public about monarch butterflies and also what conservation efforts can be taken to safeguard their future.

Illustrations:

The illustrations are very detailed in order to properly showcase the scientific information being conveyed. The delivery of information leans heavily on the visuals to maximize understanding and reinforce the text. Not only do the beautiful illustrations visually restate what the words say, but it also immerses the reader into the beauty of nature. 

The illustrations really capture the beauty and intricacies of monarch butterflies, and help contribute to the educational value of the book Furthermore, the illustrations are well-labeled and help break down even the more complicated concepts for younger readers. They introduce not only the monarch, but also the creatures that share the monarch's habitat. 

Reader Response: 

Style and language

The text is lyrical and adds to the poignancy of the point being made that blue throughout history has been used to convey authority, rank, and divinity. The lyrical prose evokes emotional sensory qualities associated with the color blue. The poetic language captures the essence of blue and its profound impact on human perception and experience. 

At first she provided the history and context of the color which covered Egypt in 44 BC, the Phoenicians, Mexico, and Liberia. Then halfway through the book, indigo makes an appearance and everything shifts. Not just the history, but also the syntax. It goes from simply giving unexpected insights to the history of the color to intentional word choice indicting the abuses people inflicted upon other people for this color. For example, "in this evil side of the trade for blue" and "We feel 'blue' when we're sad, perhaps because the people who had to dig, grind and grow passed down their painful memories of working the mines or of slavery on indigo plantations." 

Overall the use of rhythmic language creates a sense of flow and harmony that takes its reader through the color's long and rich history and captivates its audience. 

Accuracy

Brew-Hammond conducted extensive research for this book. "Blue" provides valuable insights into the subject of blue, however readers should approach books critically. To verify the accuracy of the information presented in the book, one need only flip to the back of the book. 

At the back of the book  there is an author's note with more insight to the color and the inspiration for picking this as the subject matter. I like that that this was a passion project by the author and the more she learned about it the more interested she became in exploring more of it. "Blue" is her sharing that information with us all. Furthermore, there is also a section for those who which to explore mrre which gives even more facts about blue than those covered in the book itself! Lastly, there is a  selected sources section which is quite sizeable. These are all of the sources that were used in the book and are verifiable. This means a reader could then read the original source material and deepen their knowledge. I find that all of this goes to show the dedication and care that went into assuring the accuracy of the information in "Blue".

Overall this book gave the impression of in depth research into the history and influence of the color blue, but rather than being a research paper was published in a much more visually interesting and creative way. As a children's book.  

Illustrations

First off, the art and illustrations are jaw-dropping! One thing that I found noteworthy was how the text and the art de-centered whiteness. Sure, when a book has to do with Black history or advocacy, then Black characters abound. However, when we talk about informational books that deal more with science or math or art, whiteness becomes the default.  However, in "Blue", this nonfiction picture book shifts the focus to ALL of the color's rich history with all the diverse people shown. 

The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and show so many different shades of blue. They showcase shades found in the sky, water, cloth, jewelry, tapestries, religious paraphernalia which not only establishes a "blue" mood but also reinforces the written text by bringing to life the history and the complex emotions brought about by the struggle to obtain blue. 

Evaluation: 

Theme

The theme of this book has to do with responsibility, persistence, and the importance of following rules. Throughout the book, the pigeon is trying to convince the readers to ignore Santa's instructions and let him drive the sleigh. Although the pigeon is persistent in bargaining and pleading with the audience to drive the sleigh, we visually see that the pigeon is not well-suited for this task. This serves as a funny exaggeration of the desire we all as humans have to bend or break rules without considering what the potential consequences would be. Ironically once the pigeon actually climbs on to the sleigh, he has no idea how to drive it all! Furthermore the pigeon struggles just getting into the sleigh! The audience sees that there are reasons for the pigeon not to drive the sleigh. The rule exists for a reason. 

Tension

The tension in "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh!" comes from the pigeon relentlessly pleading and bargaining with the reader to drive Santa's sleigh. It is a very interactive book that begs its audience to call out "No!" or "Don't let the pigeon drive the sleigh!". There is a sense of anticipation that drives the story forward. Will the pigeon succeed in its quest? It is an absurd idea, but the pigeon's expressions, pleas, and reactions really sell this concept. All of the aforementioned elements are comically exaggerated which makes the book even funnier and the situation more tense. At the end of the book though, once the reader has firmly said no, we get a satisfying conclusion where the pigeon is also denied by forces within the story. All of this reinforces the themes of responsibility and provides a satisfying pay off.

Illustration

The illustrations help establish the humorous mood of the story. The drawings are very minimalistic and yet very expressive at the same time. The are exaggerated gestures are meant to persuade the audience and truly grasps the personality of the pigeon. The bold lines and relatively simple shapes emphasize the silliness of the pigeon's antics and are used effectively for comedic purposes. The use of one background color per page also highlights the pigeon's actions and makes it clear that the main focus on the pigeon speaking straight to the audience. There is nothing else to focus on in the background, except for when the titular sleigh becomes a focus of the plot. Furthermore, when the pigeon becomes annoyed that his persuasion tactics aren't working, the color shift from pastel pinks, purples, and greens to darker shades of gray. The illustrations are a huge part of the book's whimsical charm and effectively breaks the fourth wall to give children an interactive experience. 

Evaluation: 

Setting

The setting of the book primarily takes place at Mirha's house and at school. This plays a significant role in shaping the story's atmosphere. It starts off in a familiar and cozy domestic environment. She interacts with her family as they all wish her well on her first day of school. The setting shows the close bond between them all and later gets highlighted once more in the story. It then shifts to the classroom where Mirha is introducing herself to everyone for the first time. Gradually we see more of the school where Mirha spends her first day as she interacts with more of her classmates. 

This setting is familiar to us all as it reflects the universal experience of childhood in establishing ourselves in a new place. Furthermore, the setting makes sense since school tends to be the first place children spend a prolonged period of time outside the house. When Mirha is in the classroom surrounded by her classmates the detail given to the classroom really places us in the setting right with her. From the cubbies and reading corner to the matching PE uniforms to the sandbox and toys on the playground and more we know exactly where Mirha is and truly believe we are there too.

Character

Mirha's character is one that we root for to stand up and tell people how to correctly pronounce her name. She is excited for her first day of school and want to learn, play, and make friends. However, when no seems like they can pronounce her name correctly she starts to feel shy. This is further compounded when a classmate, Hayden, asks if he can call her "Maya" instead. While this is a very sweet story and we become invested in Mirha's story I find that her voice a bit inconsistent. Mirha is 5 years old, but at times feels like an older kid or like an adult reflecting back on an experience they had a as a kid. 

In the previously mentioned example, Hayden asks to call her Maya because it's easier, but it's only the first day. This leads to Mirha wanting to change her name to something more "normal" but this does not seem like the reaction a 5 year old would have after just the first day of school, especially because there is no indication that any of the other kids bullied her or mispronounced her name out of malice. To me, this reaction reads more like an older child's whose has experienced people mispronouncing or even modifying their name countless times over a longer course of time. Furthermore, the examples given of potentially finding her name on keychains or getting it spelled right at cafes do not seem realistic for a 5 year old. Overall I found the character to be a way to heal the inner child of people who grew up constantly having their name mispronounced. 

Mirha does correct other people on how to properly pronounce her name the following day after talking with her mom. She says it with all the spunk of a kid her age would, but it still feels like she is older than she is portrayed in the story.

Illustration

The illustrations in this book are vibrant and colorful. This creates a hopeful, positive atmosphere and help establish the mood of the story. The illustrations in "That's Not My Name" primarily help to establish setting as we see Mirha visually in all the different settings and scenarios she lays out for us. Even when we return back to the classroom toward the end of the book we see a different angle and more details that really fill in the setting of the classroom like the hooks where the students hand their bags and their names above them all. Another big purpose of the illustrations is to reinforce the text. For example, when Mirha is explaining all the different ways her classmates are mispronouncing her name, the illustration gives the impression that she is walking down a hallway as all of her classmates call out her name. We can see that they are smiling and waving to her because they want to be her friend, but each of their speech bubbles are all different from one another and not a single one shows the correct name! We also see later when she is feeling sad, there is a two page spread where she is setting alone and looks sad on the swings on the left hand page while the right hand page shows the rest of the playground and all her classmates playing together.