Signs and symbols are all around us.
With a single glance, they direct us to bathrooms, represent mathematical concepts like pi and can communicate what religion a person belongs to. Without using words, symbols can help humans connect, stay safe and express who we are. They can bring up feelings, cut through language barriers and spread ideas that people may agree or disagree with. To be truly useful, a symbol has to be understood instantly by as many people, cultures and ages as possible. That means we need to start learning and interpreting different symbols as early as we can.
In Beyond Words, explore different kinds of powerful symbols and their context throughout history. Understanding more about symbols can help us to better understand one another. In a world where symbols speak volumes, let's all make heart hands.
Key Selling Points
• Beyond Words explores the history, meaning and impact of symbols around the world, challenging young readers to observe and understand the power of the symbols that they see (and use) every day.
• The book unpacks many kinds of symbols that go beyond illustrations. These include gestures (such as former National Football League player Colin Kaepernick kneeling on one knee as an act of protest against police brutality and racial injustice against Black people) and objects (such as a Lamborghini as a symbol of wealth and status). Other forms of symbols explored include people, characters, clothing, photographs and more.
• Introduces critical social justice questions and connects young readers to historical and contemporary examples of symbols and their diverse intended uses.
• Themes include social emotional learning, love and hate, prejudice, hate crimes, antisemitism, activism, racism, inequality, LGBTQ+ themes, gender, protest, women's rights, Indigenous rights, climate crisis.
• The author is an award-winning author, journalist and editor with other middle-grade nonfiction titles published with Owlkids, Groundwood and Red Deer Press.
• Features full-color illustrations and photos throughout.
Part of the nonfiction Orca Think series for middle-grade readers, this illustrated book explores the power of signs, shapes and symbols that represent and communicate ideas in our world.
Heather Camlot is an award-winning children's author, journalist, editor and translator. She has written several fiction and nonfiction books for young people that touch on themes of social justice, diversity and misinformation, including Clutch, The Prisoner and the Writer and What If Soldiers Fought with Pillows?. Originally from Montreal, Heather lives in Toronto with her family.
Mayi Mosaver is a visual artist, illustrator and animator. She is interested in telling stories about life, people and nature, encouraging viewers to reflect on their surroundings. Her work often explores environmental issues and invites the audience to consider their role in creating positive change. She enjoys using vibrant and earthy colours in her art, with yellow as a recurring presence in her work. Mayi currently lives in Calgary. What's the big idea? Orca Think introduces us to the issues making headlines in the world today. It encourages us to question, connect and take action for a better future. With those tools we can all become better citizens. Now that's smart thinking! Symbols have power.
