Imagine!: Rhymes of Hope to Shout Together

Review\n"Many of the lines feature precise rhyme, and those that don't, still flow seamlessly with rhythm and sound, proving the skill of the translator and the poet alike. The collage-style illustrations bring to mind the childlike wonder of Eric Carle, with paper that appears textured and handmade. Illustrated children are cheerful and diverse in skin tone, and the flora and fauna are lush and colorful. Imaginative and whimsical inventions grace some pages, supporting the text in capturing a child's imagining of what a world would look like without traffic or war . . . the poetry and illustrations are artistically appealing. . . " - School Library Journal
"In sometimes rhyming quatrains that each begin "If only . . . " and end with "Imagine!" Tognolini channels the wishes of children. Some desires hint at real-life circumstances while others are more fanciful . . . Orecchia draws a gaggle of children with various skin tones, while stylized elements form whimsical collages, in a book whose subject matter pivots rapidly between the serious and the buoyant." –Publishers Weekly\nIn sometimes rhyming quatrains that each begin “If only...” and end with “Imagine!” Tognolini channels the wishes of children. Some desires hint at real-life circumstances (“If only Google could show me a map/ Of where to find work for my darling dad”), while others read as more fanciful (“If only me and my animal friends/ Could do a jaguar roar, join a singing bird band”). Orecchia draws a gaggle of children with various skin tones, while stylized elements form whimsical collages—an airplane carrying gold-filled coffers, a machine that turns tanks and nuclear cooling towers into flowers and birds—in a book whose subject matter pivots rapidly between the serious and the buoyant. Ages 5–8. (Mar.)\n"A beautiful and musical read sharing many dreams and wishes for all. The illustrations are colorful and striking and the thought-provoking words give a shared sense of hope for the world. It 's one you'll come back to often. this would be a lovely read in a classroom of children to share their hopes and dreams for the world." – Storymamas
"Imagine! brims with hope for a better world in a wide variety of ways. Through 24 rhymes and colorful, moving illustrations this marvelous book reflects the many emotions children feel.
Imagine if you could gather all the wishes in the world and grant them to everyone. Imagine if tomorrow could be better than today. Imagine no wars, guns or bombs, and instead childlike peace and a bilingual chorus. Imagine being the won to win the soccer game, gold coins dropping from the sky, lots of birthday gifts, answers to painful questions, kindness, compassion and much more.
Thought-provoking on multiple levels, Imagine! is an important book that shouldn't be missed. – Kendall A Rautzhan, Books to Borrow, Books to Buy
"Opens up the door for countless discussions about how different the world would be if we could just imagine. The bright collaged illustrations, and the way the rhymes exude child-like joy make this a delight to read aloud. You can hear the drum beat in the cadence of the words. I am always beyond impressed when a translator can translate rhyme and make it seem effortless." –KidsReadtheWorld\nFrom the unique voice of Bruno Tognolini, Italy's most-loved children’s poet today, come these exuberant “rhymes of hope to shout together”. Skillfully translated by Denise Muir, this musical rhythmic chant gives voice to the wishes and hopes of children for a better future. From grand dreams of peace, solidarity between nations, and protection of our environment, to the intimate, wishes for friendship, opportunity, and joyful birthday celebrations; all are heartfelt cries for a better life and future.
Accompanied by the vibrant collage art of Giulia Orecchia, this youthful anthem for change, in the tradition of social justice poetry, is a true manifesto of hope. If children hold the key to the future, this boo