Kid Konnection: Kali's Song

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week, I'm going to review a newly released picture book with some powerful and relevant messages.

Summary: Renowned picture book author and illustrator Jeanette Winter brings us the enchanting story of a boy named Kali who lived thousands and thousands of years ago. Kali must learn to hunt, like the rest of the men in his tribe. But when Kali plucks the string on his bow, he forgets about shooting arrows, and makes music long into the night. Even the stars come close to listen.

This lovely story, celebrating the uniqueness in all of us, the beauty of the natural world, and showing the power of music and art over violence, will be cherished by children everywhere. -- Schwartz & Wade

KALI'S SONG by Jeanette Winter is just a beautiful children's book. KALI'S SONG tells the story of Kali, a young boy who uses his hunting bow as a musical instrument instead of a weapon. The story is based on an actual cave painting of a young boy who is surrounded by mammoths as he plays music with his bow.

As a mom, I just treasured this book and its powerful messages. At the end of the story, after Kali charms everyone, including the mammoth, with his bow, he become a revered figure in his tribe. People looked to Kali for guidance and to heal the sick. I so appreciated how this book shows that the power of art and music... and especially how these gifts can solve more problems than violence. I think most children will easily pick up this idea from the story, but there was another powerful message too. KALI'S SONG demonstrates that children have special gifts and it encourages them to discover their own gift.

Not only was this a beautiful story with wonderful messages, but I loved the pictures too. The text of a story can be amazing, but if it doesn't have illustrations that draw children in, then that wonderful message can be lost. In KALI'S SONG, the pictures are a perfect complement to the story. Each page has a folk art feel and the hand-cut paper artwork is rather simple. Ms. Winter is an award winning children's illustrator, so it should come as no surprise that the images are gorgeous.

I highly recommend KALI'S SONG. It is an entertaining story about a young boy, but it's also so much more than that. I love that this book can give adults and children alike the opportunity to discuss the power of music over violence as well as the gifts that each of us has.

Thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy of this picture book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!