{"product_id":"johns-turn-isbn-9781536203950","title":"John's Turn","description":"\u003cb\u003eE. B. White Read-Aloud winner Mac Barnett celebrates individuality in a story told with tenderness and subtlety.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt’s John’s big day at school today—a performance for Sharing Gifts time. His bag is carefully packed and prepared, his classmates are ready, and the curtain is waiting to open. John is nervous, looking out at all the other children staring back at him. But he takes a big breath and begins. Mac Barnett’s compassionate text and Kate Berube’s understated and expressive art tell the story of a kid who finds the courage to show others his talent for dancing.Employing \u003cb\u003esweet humor and sensory detail\u003c\/b\u003e, Barnett (\u003ci\u003eWhat Is Love?\u003c\/i\u003e) and Berube (\u003ci\u003eSecond Banana\u003c\/i\u003e) convey the unexpected beauty of a school performance. . . in a breathlessly kinetic, wordless sequence, spreads show John turning, leaping, and landing, light as a feather. . . The story’s collective, omniscient voice and graceful illustrations, wonderfully reminiscent of \u003ci\u003eThe Philharmonic Gets Dressed,\u003c\/i\u003e portray a community that stays open and curious—and a child who shares their effort with brave vulnerability. \u003cbr\u003e—Publishers Weekly (starred review)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBarnett and Berube offer a sensitive story about a boy grappling with stage fright and insecurity. . . . Barnett and Berube bring mastery of craft as well as an understanding of human nature to offer \u003cb\u003ea fresh take on a familiar trope\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e—The Horn Book (starred review)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBerube’s warmly colored illustrations capture how John’s apprehension turns to confidence and even elation as he dances; his facial expressions and body language are spot-on. Much of this \u003cb\u003eperfectly paced \u003c\/b\u003ebook is devoted to John’s performance, including five elegantly and economically composed, almost wordless spreads. . . . John faces down his fear to share his gift with determination, beauty and a style that is all his own. A true gift, indeed.\u003cbr\u003e—BookPage (starred review)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe quiet text tells the story simply, though during the lively, eight-page dance sequence featuring images of John in motion, two words suffice: 'He danced.' Berube’s sensitive drawings, created with ink and paint, capture the look and ambiance of the elementary-school setting as well as John’s emotions. \u003cb\u003eA respectful, wonderfully childlike introduction to ballet\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e—Booklist\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBerube’s simple ink-and-paint illustrations have minimal background details, allowing readers to focus squarely on John and his emotions. It is \u003cb\u003etruly wonderful \u003c\/b\u003eto see a boy character in a children’s book so enthusiastic about, and accomplished at, ballet. Any child, though, who has a talent to share or struggles with performance anxiety will find a role model in John. . . . A \u003cb\u003elovely, empowering\u003c\/b\u003e book about having the courage to express one’s individuality.\u003cbr\u003e—Kirkus Reviews\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDappled textures and simple lines of the ink and watercolor art play well with perspective. . . Viewers who struggle with stage fright and embracing their hobbies may gain some confidence from John’s journey and the book’s\u003cb\u003e welcoming, inclusive\u003c\/b\u003e tone. \u003cbr\u003e—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis \u003cb\u003ewonderful \u003c\/b\u003echildren’s book is filled with tender illustrations and a lovely story about a boy who is waiting for his turn at Friday Assembly where they have a “Sharing Gifts” portion. I just loved this book, especially the ending.\u003cbr\u003e—Book Riot\u003cb\u003eMac Barnett\u003c\/b\u003e, the 2025–2026 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, is a \u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003ebest-selling author of stories for children. His work has been translated into more than thirty languages and sold more than five million copies worldwide. Mac Barnett’s books have won many prizes, including two Caldecott Honors, three \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e\/ New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Book Awards, three E. B. White Read-Aloud Awards, the \u003ci\u003eBoston Globe–Horn Book \u003c\/i\u003eAward, Germany’s Jugendliteraturpreis, China’s Chen Bochui International Children’s Literature Award, the Netherlands’ Zilveren Griffel, and Italy’s Premio Orbil. He is the cocreator, with Jon Klassen, of the Substack \u003ci\u003eLooking at Picture Books\u003c\/i\u003e, as well as \u003ci\u003eShape Island\u003c\/i\u003e, a stop-motion animated series on Apple TV+, based on their best-selling Shapes series of picture books. Mac Barnett lives in Oakland, California.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eKate Berube \u003c\/b\u003eis the author-illustrator of \u003ci\u003eHannah and Sugar\u003c\/i\u003e, which won the Marion Vannett Ridgway Award and the Oregon Book Award for Children’s Literature, and \u003ci\u003eMae’s First Day of School\u003c\/i\u003e, which was a finalist for the Oregon Book Award for Children’s Literature\u003ci\u003e.\u003c\/i\u003e Kate Berube lives in Oregon with her family.","brand":"Candlewick","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48233284403429,"sku":"NP9781536203950","price":17.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9781536203950.jpg?v=1767730460","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/johns-turn-isbn-9781536203950","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}