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Be the Change
A Grandfather Gandhi Story
Table of Contents
About The Book
At Grandfather Gandhi’s service village, each day is filled, from sunrise to sunset, with work that is done for the good of all. The villagers vow to live simply and non-violently. Arun Gandhi tries very hard to follow these vows, but he struggles with one of the most important rules: not to waste.
How can throwing away a worn-down pencil hurt anyone? How can wastefulness lead to violence? With the help of his grandfather, Arun learns how every wasteful act, no matter how small, affects others. And in time he comes to understand the truth of his grandfather’s words: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
About The Illustrator
Evan Turk is an Ezra Jack Keats Award–winning illustrator, author, and animator. He is the author-illustrator of The Storyteller, Heartbeat, You Are Home: An Ode to the National Parks, A Thousand Glass Flowers, and Hello, Moon and the illustrator of Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy Waters, which was a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book; The People’s Painter; Grandfather Gandhi; and its companion Be the Change. Originally from Colorado, Evan now lives in southern California with his husband and two cats. He is a graduate of Parsons School of Design. Visit him at EvanTurk.com.
Product Details
- Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (October 1, 2016)
- Length: 48 pages
- ISBN13: 9781481442657
- Ages: 4 - 8
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Raves and Reviews
“Gandhi and Hegedus’ relatively lengthy text is alternately direct and lyrical. . . . Turk’s striking mixed-media illustrations . . . complement the complexity of the ideas being explored and illuminate the subdued action of the text.”
– Kirkus Reviews
“Turk’s artwork is stunning in composition and color throughout…As a vehicle for showing the human side of the seminal figure that is Gandhi, this is a valuable title for young readers.”
– Horn Book
* “The full-bleed spreads immerse readers and take them on the journey. . . . This handsome book asks a lot of young readers but carries important messages delivered in a personal and relatable manner.”
– School Library Journal, starred review
“An in-depth exploration of the connections between waste and violence. . . . As in the previous book, Turk’s mixed-media images create a vibrant, dazzlingly imagined backdrop for the weighty philosophical discussions at play.”
– Publishers Weekly
Awards and Honors
- CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book
- Writer's League of Texas Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Shortlist
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): Be the Change Hardcover 9781481442657
- Author Photo (jpg): Arun Gandhi Dimitri Koutsomytis(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit
- Author Photo (jpg): Bethany Hegedus Photograph © Sam Bond Photography(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit