Title: Pass It On
Author: Sophy Henn
Illustrator: Sophy Henn
Age Group: 1-6
Synopsis: An encouraging discussion about embracing the good times, seeking out a silver lining during the bad, and spreading a little joy to those around you.
The Low Down:
There are a few illustrators that are so distinctive that when you see their work you know instantly
who it is. Sophy Henn is one of those for us. I noticed Pass It On sitting on the table at our local library and didn’t even have to walk up to it to know whose work it was. We loved Where Bear? And I was sure Pass It On would be very similar.
I love the message this story conveys about sharing smiles and chuckles with those who need them. I may be too optimistic but I’d like to believe if you set good things out into the world than they will come back to you when you need them. Even if this isn’t true and this doesn’t happen (although I’m not sure how’d you prove it one way or another), it doesn’t matter. Encouraging people to be nice to one another is never a bad thing and teaching children to deal with sadness and disappointment by focusing on positives and looking for chances to self-improve is something I’ll always support. Although all of this is still a bit advanced for Bug, it’s really something that I think is an important reminder. It’s definitely something that I know I need to constantly work on and having Pass It On in our reading stack is a subtle and nice reminder.
Sophy Henn redelivers with her illustrations as well. The bright and uplifting pictures are a perfect pairing with the story. They are imaginative and thoughtful in their simpleness. Bug connects with these illustrations better than anything else.
He can easily identify what he’s looking at and focus on the focal point of the picture. This is so important as he’s still developing his relationship with books. To feel included and to understand just what it is that you’re looking at is something that makes everyone more open. Pass It On does that, not only embracing the reader with its story but allowing everyone, of all ages, to understand the message. Even if it’s only through the pictures.
Story Tips:
- If you happen to have something that your child very much enjoys I would highly recommend passing it back and forth every time you read the phrase “Pass it on.”This not only makes the book more interactive but reiterates the message of the story and allows for kinetic learning experience.
I need more!
I was remiss last time I wrote about what else Sophy Henn has out. I completely missed Pass It On. I would like to point out that her website is out-of-date but honestly I could have spent a tiny bit more time looking. As it is Sophy Henn has a fabulous story called Where Bear? out already and a series about a panda named Pom Pom. The next Pom Pom book is out in August 2016. This website is a bit more up-to-date: https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/sophy-henn/117090/
Add to my library:
UK Amazon:Pass It On
US Amazon:Pass it On
