This is an awesome book that I would like to share. It's called This Child, Every Child: A book about the world's children, by David J. Smith, illustrated by Shelagh Armstrong. It shows kids' stories and how they are different, around the world. Each story makes you want to learn more about other kids, and what their lives are like, what culture they are. The book is based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Each chapter talks about a different kid, and a different topic. They include: children and their families, children at home, children on the move, children at school, are boys and girls treated equally?, children at play, children and war, and children and the future.
Did you know that some kids are dragged into war? It is sad and true. I wish that there was something we could do to change this.
Did you know that some kids have to walk across boats to get to school? Imagine if it was raining - poor them! But kids have all different ways of living, and being in the world.
I wanted to ask the author, David J. Smith, about this book. He's shared his other great books with us before (If the World Were a Village, If America Was a Village), and I was happy to hear from him.
WE: How did you come up with the stories of all the kids?
DJS: I got a lot of help from the people at UNICEF and the people at OneXOne. All the children are "real" -- that is, the names are not real, the pictures are not the children, but they represent real children with real names and real lives.
WE: Did you have so many stories that you couldn't fit it all into one book? Was it hard to choose?
DJS: Yes. At least 12 or 15 more stories about children whose rights were not, or are not, being respected. One in particular I was sad to leave out was a Native boy -- in the US, it would be a Native American, in Canada they are called First Nations People. Anyway, this boy was taken away from his family at a very young age and sent to a school far away from his family and taught things that he didn't need to know for life with his family, but things OTHER people thought it would be good for him to know.
There are a lot of terrible, sad stories. In particular, children with no adults to protect them and no way to identify themselves are often deprived of their rights. That's one reason why so many organizations like UNICEF are trying to arrange ID cards for street kids and orphans.
WE: What surprised you the most about writing this book?
DJS: The most surprising thing has been the number of ADULT groups that want me to come and talk to them. I've been asked to talk with Holocaust Survivors, for example.
WE: What are the biggest differences and similarities you see in kids, worldwide?
DJS: See the page on games and play. Everybody plays; and mostly, they play the same games.
WE: There are so many cultures in this book - was it difficult narrowing it down?
DJS: It was, but my editor helped. She is really smart about what people are interested in reading.
WE: Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?
DJS: Compare the illustrations in "If The World" and "This Child Every Child". I find it really hard to believe the same illustrator did both books!
WE: Thank you, David! I also think all kids want to be happy, and with their family. I don't find it hard to believe that it was the same illustrator - she uses vibrant colors that make me want to read more.
I loved this book and recommend it!
To learn more about This Child, Every Child, please go to http://www.mapping.com/
This is part of the Multicultural Children's Book Day! Click here to discover more interesting, global, multicultural kids books!
L Forteau is the Special Kids Reporter for Wandering Educators