Side By Side

Humans who take their cues from the natural world have learned valuable lessons.  Geese fly in a V formation to conserve energy and move to the lead when a goose is tiring.  It's easier for them to communicate.  Honeybees numbering in the thousands realize each job in the hive has a distinct purpose.  Wolves have a clearly defined social structure within their packs, enabling them to better care for their young, hunt, and defend their territory.  These and other animal species have an instinctive understanding, honed over generations, working together is beneficial to individuals and to the group.  It is the key to change and survival.

When humans, around the world, realize a transformation is necessary, they, too, join together to achieve a better outcome than the status quo.  It is the essence of continuity.  Sometimes People March (Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, September 1, 2020) written by debut author illustrator Tessa Allen explores the issues and values prompting protests and sustained resistance.  This is a book that is both timely and timeless.  

Sometimes ants march.

Sometimes bands march.

Sometimes people march.

People believe they need to march when inequality or bias is seen.  People believe they need to march when something they value is in jeopardy of being lost.  People march for numerous purposes, many of which are fueled by love.

When a resource essential to our planet is being harmed, people march.  When a freedom is threatened, or yet to be preserved, people march.  They show their support in a variety of ways.

They hold signs as they march, or post signs when they can in their yards.  They raise their voices in speech or songs.  They write poetry, articles, posts, or books.  They make art visible in their communities.  They sit, stand, strike, boycott, or show support by

taking a knee.

Deciding to march is a personal decision, and it is not always easy.  It is hard physically and emotionally. It is important to remember, we do not march alone, we are together, like the animals in our natural world.  We are together because one or more people believe change is necessary and vital.  Marching is an answer to a question. Marching is a symbol of hope.

In simple declarative sentences and insightful statements, author Tessa Allen presents an assessment of why people work together marching to make a difference.  She offers examples of how people express their views.  She gives a realistic portrayal of the challenges marchers face.  She invites readers to make their voices heard.  Here are two sequential sentences.

People march for the health of their bodies

and their communities and the world.

People march for the freedom to love

and live

and learn.

Using ink and watercolor for all the images in this book illustrator Tessa Allen welcomes us into her visual interpretation with the open and matching dust jacket and book case.  The people showcased on the front, right, represent all ages, races and cultures.  Notice their attire, facial expressions, hair, and togetherness. As the bodies fade to colorful dots in the back, the signs continue to be raised.  These dots depicting an enormous crowd of people spiral and span on the other side of the spine, to the left on the back.  They move in a large group to the upper, left-hand corner.  You can still see smaller, but striking signs.  The largest of these spells out HOPE.  Placing these elements on a canvas of white is a wise design choice.

The opening and closing endpapers are covered in the color shown in the title text.  On the title page an individual (Tessa Allen?) is seated cross-legged under the text.  They are holding a sign covering their upper body and face.  It says:

by Tessa Allen.

On the dedication page, a child is working on a home-made sign, coloring a large red heart.  Two ants are crawling toward it.  With a page turn a row of ants move from the left to the gutter, cross it, and climb a large wedge of watermelon.  Another group of ants moves down the watermelon and several are carrying a chunk of watermelon off the right side.  With each page turn we see a double-page picture or two separate, single-page images or a group of smaller visuals on a single page, all on crisp white backgrounds.

The soft, watercolor washes in her illustrations with the fine lines convey a quiet determination.  In her pictures enhancing the text she highlights present day people and people from the past who have marched.  Her singular details ask us to pause and ponder her pictorial choices.  

One of my many, many favorite illustrations is a two-page picture.  Across these two pages are fourteen smaller vignettes of people, individuals or groups of two, three or five people.  They are all holding hand-made signs describing their cause in a picture, words, or both.   Two children are holding a sign stating March for our future!  There is a picture of an ice cream cone, but the ice cream is a melting planet Earth.  Another person is holding a sign shaped like the lower forty-eight states.  The words read:

Refugees Are Welcome Here!

Given the current and ever-shifting state of our nation and the world, Sometimes People March written and illustrated by Tessa Allen brings to readers an explanation, guidance, and encouragement.  Through her carefully selected spare use of language and intricate artwork she pays tribute to all acts of protest, and tenacity.  At the close of the book, on two pages titled Movements, Marches & Key Figures In The Art, is twenty-five segments of information with page references.  I highly recommend this title for your personal and professional collections.

To learn more about Tessa Allen the link attached to her name focuses on her artwork on a page attached to her theater pages.  Tessa Allen has an account on Instagram. At the publisher's website is a three-page educator's guide including a letter from Tessa Allen.  There is also a short book trailer there which, in a few seconds, fills you with inspiration.  Tessa Allen is interviewed at The Horn Book by Roger Sutton.