Candlewick | 978-1536203950

“On Fridays, there’s Assembly.” Mr. Ross makes announcements. Sometimes there’s a guest, sometimes not. And if the kids are good, one of them “gets to do something for the whole school. A performance… called ‘Sharing Gifts.'”

One week a student plays the tuba. Another week, there are magic tricks. Another jokes.

CLICK TO ENLARGE © Words by Mac Barnett, illustrations by Kate Berube

Today, it’s John’s turn.

He’s quiet at breakfast, and the other kids know why.

He’s nervous.

CLICK TO ENLARGE © Words by Mac Barnett, illustrations by Kate Berube

John gets changed behind a big blue curtain:

“He put on a white leotard.
He put on black pants.
He put on black slippers.
Then he was ready.”

Mr. Ross makes another anouncement. The kids sing a song. And all the while, the reader feels the tension rising. How will the kids react when John steps out from behind the curtain and begins to dance?

The curtain moves and there is John, in first position, hands carefully poised in front of him. Some of the kids laugh. Mrs. K shushes them, but John looks worried. As a reader, I worried, too…

JOHN’S TURN by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Kate Berube is a book about facing your fears, the courage it can take to share your passion, and the importance of following your heart and being your true self.

For writers and illustrators, this book is a master study in using the picture book format to build anticipation, and make powerful use of the page turn and wordless spreads to build emotion. Warm and tender illustrations in ink and paint pair perfectly with this exquisite text.

I loved this book so much and highly recommend it for every classroom and home library.

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Enjoy this interview with author Mac Barnett talking about vulnerability, art, and picture books: