Sometimes a Wall... - by Dianne White (Hardcover)

About the Book

"A day at the playground starts out with a chalk wall to draw on, a water wall to splash in, a climbing wall to clamber up, and a wall of kids playing an all-in-good-fun game. But it isn't long before one child is excluded, as another child leads the rest in building a castle wall that comes between them and the child they are leaving out. There are other unkindnesses, and of course, hurt feelings. But when the bully bellows "MINE," declaring the castle they have built together as his alone, he alienates all the other children. And being alone in the castle turns out to be surprisingly lonely, especially when it looks like the other kids are having fun without him. A change of heart, a heartfelt handshake, a sincere offer of friendship, forgiveness, and some paint, imagination, and creative togetherness, and the castle walls take on a whole new look and meaning. Friendship reigns! The story is told mostly in the illustration, with guiding rhyming words to lead the reader through. These words outline both the types of walls we encounter and interact with everyday, and the emotions they generate through the way these interactions with walls affect our relationships."--

Book Synopsis

An afternoon in the playground introduces different kinds of walls: a brick wall to draw on with chalk, a water wall, and a climbing wall. What follows is a playful yet profound exploration of the many ways walls can divide us or bring us together. When one child is excluded from a game, another builds a castle to leave him out. When the builder declares the castle MINE, other kids feel alienated--but the builder becomes lonely, too, when the others have fun without him. The book ends with the optimism of a new start: friendship, forgiveness, and imagination give the wall new meaning.

Told with short, simple lines of playful, rhyming text and loose line illustrations by internationally known artist Barroux, this book sparks questions with empathy, insight, and charm. It's a timely tool for inquiry-based and social-emotional learning, sharing the important message that walls can unite or divide, depending on the choices we make.

Review Quotes

"Sometimes a Wall... is a picture book with so many layers. It is a story that teaches us about friendship, conflict, empathy, and forgiveness, in a way that kids of all ages can understand."-- "Beagles and Books"

"A sweet picture book that helps build emotional intelligence, humility and compassion."-- "Cracking the Cover"

"Dianne White has written a book with few words that embrace a big idea."-- "Canadian Review of Materials"

"Hopeful and compassionate, this story uses simple language to create concrete connections, and may inspire children to choose a more inclusive way."-- "School Library Journal"

"Rhyme, rhythm, and simple art--all including references to walls--show children expressing different emotions and behaviors... Mending walls for the nursery crowd."-- "Kirkus Reviews"

"Teachers looking for a book to aide in SEL [Social-Emotional Learning] need look no further than this lovely picture book."-- "Prose and Kahn"

"The story is touching, using few words, but they are words that wield power, especially when paired with Barroux's colorful artwork."-- "Mom Read It"

"This is a book that will make readers of all ages think... This would make a phenomenal classroom text and would be great for critical thinking and discussions."-- "Unleashing Readers"

"We've read Sometimes a Wall... a number of times now, and each time it gets richer and more meaningful."-- "Randomly Reading"

About the Author

Previously an elementary school teacher, DIANNE WHITE has a master's degree in Language and Literacy, and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She now writes full time, and lives with her family in Gilbert, Arizona.
BARROUX lives in Paris, France, and has studied photography, art, sculpture, and architecture. His work has been published in The New York Times and The Washington Post. He believes that the world needs fewer walls and more trees.