I Hope

I Hope is a short and sweet picture book meant to be read to very young children to instill love and good nature. Each page starts with the words, “I hope...” and contains an empowering statement to resemble the parent or caregiver imparting the message directly to the child.

I Hope is a heartwarming book; however, the messages on each page would be more compelling if the punctuation was used consistently throughout the book. At the end of each sentence, the reader waits for the point to be elaborated, but Monique Gray Smith starts a new line. Further, Gray Smith’s hopes bounced back and forth between having knowledge, performing kind actions, and being safe and healthy. The themes seemed scattered and should have been grouped together. The sentences also did not seem to flow as they fluctuated between shorter and longer lines throughout the book. Gray Smith could have started with shorter sentences and gradually added longer sentences as the reader progressed with each page.

Gabrielle Grimard’s illustrations convey the idea that parents and caregivers from all backgrounds hope for the same things for their children. This is shown by all the characters having the same round faces but are of different ethnicities and age ranges. Grimard does an excellent job at representing diversity by drawing different skin colours, different hair types, and various pieces of cultural clothing. Overall, Grimard’s artwork along with Gray Smith’s messages of hope create a synergy and context. One without the other is not as powerful, but together they successfully teach intangible moments.