Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn YouTube
    • Home
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Media Kit
    • About
    • Contact
    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest TikTok
    The Children's Book Review
    Subscribe
    • Books by Subject
    • Books by Age
      • Ages 0-3, Infant and Toddler
      • Ages 4-8, Preschool to Elementary
      • Ages 9-12, Preteen and Tween
      • Ages 12+, Teen and Young Adult
      • Books for First Grade Readers
      • Books for Second Grade Readers
      • Books for Third Grade Readers
    • Favorites
      • Diverse and Inclusive Books
      • Books About Activism
      • Best Books for Kids
      • Star Wars Books
      • Board Books
      • Books About Mindfulness
      • Dr. Seuss Books
    • Showcase
    • Interviews
      • Growing Readers Podcast
      • Author Interviews and Q&A
      • Illustrator Interviews
    • Kids’ Book Giveaways
    • Directory
    • Podcast
    The Children's Book Review

    Hope, by Matthew Cordell | Book Review

    Trevor Laurence JockimsBy Trevor Laurence Jockims3 Mins Read Ages 0-3 Ages 4-8 Animal Books Picture Books
    Hope, by Matthew Cordell | Book Review
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Book Review of Hope
    The Children’s Book Review

    Hope: Book Cover

    Hope

    Written and Illustrated by Matthew Cordell

    Ages 3-5 | 36 Pages

    Publisher: Disney-Hyperion | ISBN:  9781484773413

    What to expect: Heart-warming, Poetic, Family, Animals

    Hope is a subtle book that tackles big themes. The two main characters, grand-lions, address the text to their grand-child, a cub lion, and offer the reader a lovely meditation on generational love.

    Hope, Matthew Cordell Illustration

    With pastel illustrations and an elegant text, writer/illustrator Matthew Cordell (a Caldecott medalist) tells the tale of life’s passage through the aging lions passing on their love to a young lion. “Dearest Grandchild, / You will drink from/ the same streams / that we drank from, / and those before us,” the aging lions say, “You will walk along/ the same paths / that we walked on, / and those before us.” As the tale proceeds, the older lions’ spirits remain, and the reader bears witness to the young lion becoming a parent, too, continuing the very circle his grandparents had outlined.

    Cordell’s approach to this heady subject matter remains remarkably sensitive throughout while managing not to become cloying or overly sentimental. There is enough that is said directly and enough that is left implied for both child and adult to be engaged and moved, and the book will likely spark conversations afterward. The illustrations offer an excellent complement to the text, as they maintain a dreamy quality that has a brightness that lifts up the subject matter.

    Hope, Matthew Cordell Illustration

    By placing the ideas of love continuing along through the generations within this landscape of animals, the book animates a subject that children—and parents—perhaps lack of words for yet have the desire to express. To Cordell’s great credit, this book’s meeting of words and images conveys the subject very well, staying true to its central theme of hope and continuity.

    Buy the Book

    Buy on AmazonBuy on Bookshop

    About the Author

    Matthew Cordell is the author and illustrator of many celebrated picture books, including Hello, Neighbor!: The Kind and Caring World of Mister Rogers and Wolf in the Snow, recipient of the 2018 Caldecott Medal. As an illustrator, he has collaborated with many more authors, including Gail Carson Levine, Philip C. Stead, and Rebecca Kai Dotlich. Matthew lives with his wife, author Julie Halpern, and their two children in suburban Chicago.

    Hope, written and illustrated by Matthew Cordell, was reviewed by Trevor Laurence Jockims. Discover more books like Hope by following our reviews and articles tagged with poetic, family, and animals.

    How You Support The Children's Book Review
    We may receive a small commission from purchases made via the links on this page. If you discover a book or product of interest on this page and use the links provided to make a purchase, you will help support our mission to 'Grow Readers.' Your support means we can keep delivering quality content that's available to all. Thank you!
    Animals Disney-Hyperion Family featured Grandparents Heartwarming Intergenerational Stories Lifecycle Books Matthew Cordell Picture Book Poetry Books for Kids
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous Article2 Inspiring Kids Books About The Power of Little
    Next Article A Girl Named October, by Zakieh A. Mohammed | Book Review
    Trevor Laurence Jockims

    Trevor Laurence Jockims lives in New York City with his wife, daughter, and son. He has reviewed books for The Times Literary Supplement, Book Forum, The Believer, and elsewhere. He completed a PhD in Comparative Literature, and teaches writing at New York University.

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    TCBR Supporter
    Recent Articles
    • Desiree Blanchard Discusses My Home Filled with Love
    • New Children’s Book Teaches Children How To Love and Be Loved
    • August or Forever, by Ona Gritz | Awareness Tour
    • August or Forever, by Ona Gritz | Dedicated Review
    • Colorful, by Lillian J. Taylor | Book Giveaway
    TCBR Supporters
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today

    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    Discover Kids Books by Age
    Best Books For Kids
    Media Kit: The Children's Book Review
    Author and Illustrator Showcase
    SEARCH
    BOOKS BY SUBJECT
    Archives
    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
    • Book Shop
    • Policies
    • Media Kit
    • Buzzworthy Mentions on the Path to Growing Readers!
    • About TCBR
    © 2023 The Children’s Book Review. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.