Fighting Words
An animated argument.
If you come from a large family, this story will make you laugh out loud and unleash the sibling drama you’ve kept inside for too many years. Your children’s ears will perk up as you later describe what their older relatives used to say when they were little and how it made you feel. Or maybe, like me, you were the one with a temper and a sharp tongue. In which case, you will recognize the inner arguments that encouraged your behaviour, like “she started it,” “she deserves it,” or “this is all her fault.” But this isn’t the type of book that wants you to feel guilty forever and ever about things said in anger. Coming from a large family, you’ll know the impossibility and harmfulness of doing so. Instead, Fighting Words by Leonarda Carranza processes the arrival of a big argument by turning it into an amusing family adventure.
When his cousin damages his insect book, some hurtful words escape Ali’s mouth, becoming animated. At first, it satisfies his anger to see his cousin get hurt by what he said, but when his words go too far, the whole family works together to stop them in their tracks.
I love that Abuelita has an equally sharp tongue, but she knows how and when to use it, defending those she loves. Laughter has long been the best medicine for mean, angry feelings and there are many things that made me chuckle in this book. Ali’s inner dialogue is probably the funniest aspect, but there are lots of other details. When his angry words escape, they trample the roses and try to punch a bee, letting out aggression and adding humour at the same time. The body language and facial expressions of Erika Medina’s characters accentuate and amplify the hilarity of being angry. In this way, Fighting Words encourages readers to take anger less seriously and to process it without an overemphasis on feelings like guilt and shame, which increase social alienation if not resolved.
Thank you Annick press for the advanced reading copy.
Book Details:
By Leonarda Carranza
Illustrated by Erika Medina
Categories: Children's Fiction
Themes: picture book fiction, social emotional learning, Salvadoran characters, ages 6-8, anger, self-regulation, conflict resolution, emotions & feelings, multigenerational, hispanic & latino, self-esteem & self-reliance, Social Emotional Learning
Interest Age: 4–7
Grade: p–2
Pre-Order Now
Hardcover $23.99
ISBN 9781773219011
Expected to ship: 2024-09-17
Thank you for this lovely review.
Putting on hold at library now! :)