My City Speaks by Darren Lebeuf and Ashley Barron

 My City Speaks by Darren Lebeuf (Author) 
and Ashley Barron (Illustrator)  

Genre

Children's Disabilities and Differences

Target Age Group

3-7 years, grades PreK- 2

Summary

My City Speaks follows a young girl who is visually impaired and her dad as they explore her city. The girl poetically describes the types of smells and sounds the city contains which allow the girl to be comfortable in her surroundings. 

Justification for Choosing

I selected My City Speaks for this blog based on the book’s cover which features a young girl with a vision impairment. The speaker of the story being visually impaired fits the criteria for a book containing disability or differences. Additionally, the illustration style is eye-catching as the illustrator uses a unique style that gives a paper-collage feel. 

Evaluation

For this review, I will be evaluating the book's characters, cover, and illustrations. 

Characters: 

My City Speaks features a young girl and her dad as they make their journey throughout the city. The young girl and her dad are not stereotypical, but they lack complexity due to the shortness of the book. The book's exposition develops the character of the young girl, but the dad's character lacks development as the story primarily focuses on the young girl and the city. The protagonist, the young girl, is relatable for young readers who are often awed by their surroundings and take in sights, sounds, and smells that they never have before. Furthermore, the protagonist being visually impaired allows readers with disabilities and differences to identify with the character as she uniquely navigates the world.

Cover: 

The cover does a great job at conveying the content of the story as both of the characters and the city are pictured. The cover is attention-getting, and it allows readers to identify that the protagonist has a disability without sensationalizing it. Additionally, the cover showcases the uniqueness of the illustration style and does not trick the reader about how the illustrations inside the book are. The back cover could be improved upon as it does not provide a summary of the book or add anything to the content or story.  

Illustrations: 

The collage style for the illustrations in My City Speaks are eye-catching and unique, captivating readers with its vibrant and dynamic visuals. Each illustration uses a mix of textures and colors which play a crucial role in advancing the plot as the young girl's descriptions are conveyed through the illustrations in the background. As the characters walk through the city, the illustrations depict their surroundings, bringing the urban landscape to life and immersing readers in their senses. This artistic approach enhances the plot and provides a deeper understanding of the setting for young readers. 

Overall Rating: 3/5

References 

Lebeuf, D. (2021). My City Speaks (A. Barron, Illus.). Kids Can Press.