Major Projects: Peace One DayWritten by Jeremy Gilley, Illustrated by Karen Blessen Editor: Susan KochanArt Director: Cecilia Yung 
"Peace One Day" is a children's picture book, published in 2005 by G.P. Putnam's Sons, for young readers 8 years old and older. It is the story of British activist and filmmaker Jeremy Gilley's successful quest to have September 21 named as World Peace Day by the United Nations. By telling his story, Jeremy guides young readers into seeing that even though he isjust one person, he persevered and made a difference. And they can too!
Kirkus Review says of the illustrations:
"Blessen illustrates with jagged, urgent montages of clipped headlines, quotes, slogans, colored pencil portraits and small color photos that, cumulatively, effectively underscore the real need for each and every peace initiative." And from Booklist: Most powerful are the double-page collage illustrations contributed by Pulitzer Prize-winning artist Karen Blessen, which blend some of Gilley's film images of kids caught up in war and portraits of world peace leaders with colored pencil drawings, posters, and even news headlines. The passionate prose and stirring images show and tell that each person can make a difference. To buy a copy of Peace One Day, please visit amazon.com. Art Process
Press
ReviewsKirkus Reviews Begging to differ with those who believe that individuals cannot make a difference in the world, actor/filmmaker Gilley describes his own years-long campaign, documented in a feature-length film, to persuade the UN to designate September 21st as an annual World Peace Day. In his relentlessly positive account, corporate support for supplies and travel is there for the asking, world leaders and officials from the Dalai Lama to Kofi Annan personally urge him on, and the difficulties of filming in locales worldwide, of winning over the UN's bureaucracy, and then of organizing the holiday's 2002 kickoff, are but momentary bumps in the road. In distinct counterpoint to Gilley's upbeat narrative, though, Blessen illustrates with jagged, urgent montages of clipped headlines, quotes, slogans, colored pencil portraits and small color photos that, cumulatively, effectively underscore the real need for each and every peace initiative. Rather than close with specific suggestions, Gilley caps his inspirational manifesto with the suggestion that readers find their own creative ways of celebrating the day. Not a bad thought. childrenslit.com "Blessen's marvelously creative collage illustrations combine photos, drawings, and a variety of fonts and letter sizes. These present quotes and visual statements that can be used as discussion starters." Booklist "Most powerful are the double-page collage illustrations contributed by Pulitzer Prize-winning artist Karen Blessen, which blend some of Gilley's film images of kids caught up in war and portraits of world peace leaders with colored pencil drawings, posters, and even news headlines. The passionate prose and stirring images show and tell that each person can make a difference." -Hazel Rochman School Library Journal Grade 3-6-Hoping to make a difference and help to bring calm in a troubled world, Gilley wrote to the United Nations to discuss an idea for a day when the entire globe would observe peace. In order to make it work, he decided a specific date was needed. As well as making it a day for global cease-fire and nonviolence, it would also be A day for everyone in our homes, schools and communities around the world to stop fighting. Aided by his family, colleagues, and friends, he wrote to presidents and prime ministers, Nobel Prize winners and religious leaders for help. While meeting with dignitaries around the world, as well as visiting countries where conflicts were going on, he decided to film the poverty, destruction, and suffering from wars. Seeing the reality that children had to live with reaffirmed his desire to make a difference. After struggling for over two years, his realization came true. The United Nations voted to name September 21 a day of cease-fire and nonviolence. He named it Peace One Day. All of the pain, disappointment, and excitement in his dream are well documented. The combination of text and illustrations demonstrates the message that everyone can make a difference. The clear, concise text appears with a collage of captioned photos and realistic drawings. Teachers and librarians can use the Web site provided for suggestions for individuals, families, and schools to celebrate Peace day. -Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA ^ back to top of page |
CONTENTS:: Buy Peace One Day book:: Art Process :: Press :: Reviews MAJOR PROJECTSSpecial Section::: Africa Editorial: :: One Bullet :: Faces of a Plague Corporate: :: Hyatt Regency Wall Sculptures Theater: :: Today Marks the Beginning Civic: :: Times Square Public Art: :: DART - Baylor Station :: Love Field Sidewalk Proposal Books: :: Peace One Day :: Be an Angel Non-profits: :: Red Cross Blood Museum :: Dallas Animal Shelter |
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