Welcome to Sparking Peace by Teresa Kim Pecinovsky and Hannah Rose Martin Book Tour hosted by The Children’s Book Review. 

About the Book

Broken into beautiful. A story of friendship and healing.

After breaking a neighbor’s window, a young child discovers friendship, transformation, and new beginnings in an unlikely story of peace. Gentle and moving, this poetic tale offers readers a hopeful path in the face of gun violence and despair, showing kids how peacemaking can turn conflict into friendship and new beginnings—and forge guns into garden tools.

Children grow up with lockdowns and gun violence as part of their reality. As parents, caregivers, and educators, how should we respond? Sparking Peace provides a springboard for those seeking to discuss gun violence and trauma with children in a safe way that highlights help rather than harm. This picture book helps children learn about conflict while also carefully addressing gun violence and peacemaking. It includes resources that equip parents and educators to talk about gun violence and trauma, using a story of a broken window to show kids how conflict can be transformed through acts of peace.

Review for Sparking Peace

This picture book is a quiet powerhouse. Sparking Peace follows a young boy who learns responsibility and transformation after breaking a neighbor’s window—what starts as punishment turns into a shared gardening project and, eventually, a community movement. Inspired by RAWtools (a nonprofit that turns guns into garden tools), the story beautifully weaves themes of healing, reconciliation, and peace.

The illustrations and message are warm and accessible, making tough conversations—like those around gun violence—feel possible and necessary. Plus, the backmatter offers real-life resources and conversation starters for parents and teachers. Thoughtful, hopeful, and incredibly timely, this is one of those books that sticks with you.

I received a copy of this book to share my opinion.

About the Authors

Teresa Kim Pecinovsky holds a master of education from the University of Houston and a master of divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School. She is an ordained minister through the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Rev. Teresa is the author of the children’s book Mother God and coauthor of The Peace Table. A healthcare chaplain, she lives with her family in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Hannah Rose Martin has had a passion for children’s education since she was in the 2nd grade, which led to a bachelor’s degree in education. She began teaching in an elementary school and is now a reading interventionist and Mennonite pastor in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Hannah is a wife and mother of two energetic children who love books. She was inspired to teach and write because she saw a need for curriculum and books that engage children’s creativity and their role in the community around them. She hopes that Sparking Peace encourages parents and caregivers to have deeper conversations with children and together find that they are just one imaginative idea away from a transformed world.

About the Illustrator

Gabhor Utomo was born in Indonesia. He moved to California in 1997 to pursue a career as an artist. He received his degree from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco in spring 2003. Today, he works as a freelance illustrator and has illustrated numerous children’s books. His first children’s book, Kai’s Journey to Gold Mountain, tells the story of a young Chinese immigrant on Angel Island. Gabhor’s work has won awards and recognition from local and national art organizations. His painting of Senator Milton Marks is part of a permanent collection at the California State Building in downtown San Francisco. He also created posters for the Mountain Play, an outdoor theater in Marin County, California. He lives with his wife, Dina, and their twin daughters in Portland, Oregon.

Giveaway for Sparking Peace

Enter for a chance to win one of TEN signed copies of Sparking Peace! Plus, one lucky grand prize winner will receive a signed copy AND a $50 Amazon gift card!

  Sparking Peace: Book Giveaway

Click here for the entry form 

Sparking Peace Book Tour

Follow along on the book tour hosted by The Children’s Book Review to see what others have to say!

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Wednesday, July 9, 2025 The Children’s Book Review Book Tour Kick-Off

Thursday, July 10, 2025 The Starlit Path Book Review

Friday, July 11, 2025 Deliciously Savvy Book Review

Monday, July 14, 2025 Country Mamas with Kids Book Review

Tuesday, July 15, 2025 Crafty Moms Share Book Review

Wednesday, July 16, 2025 icefairy’s Treasure Chest Book Review

Thursday, July 17, 2025 Get Outside and Read Book Review

Friday, July 18, 2025 Q&As with Deborah Kalb Author Interview

Monday, July 28, 2025 @nissa_the.bookworm Book Review

Tuesday, July 29, 2025 All Done Monkey Book Review

Wednesday, July 30, 2025 One More Exclamation Book Review

Thursday, July 30, 2025 Me Two Books Author Interview

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