This Is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids from around the World

by Matt Lamothe

Overview

Follow one day in the real lives of seven kids from around the world! This informative and fascinating illustrated book is perfect for learning how children live across the globe.

In Japan, Kei plays Freeze Tag, while in Uganda, Daphine likes to jump rope. While the way they play may differ, the shared rhythm of their days—and this one world we all share—unites them.

From Italy, Japan, Iran, and India to Peru, Uganda, and Russia, author Matt Lamonthe transports readers across the globe and back with this luminous and thoughtful picture book. Getting a glimpse into everyday routines across the culture map provides a window into traditions that may be different from our own as well as mirrors reflecting our common experiences.

GEOGRAPHY FOR KIDS: Children who love learning about new cultures and customs will find a world of fascination in these pages. From food to sports to daily chores, this wonderful nonfiction book for kids features delightful illustrations that are accompanied, in a final section, by photographs of the featured children with their families.

THE WAY THINGS WORK: Inspired by his own travels, author-illustrator Matt Lamonthe created this entertaining resource to educate children on the importance of similarities and differences, and to give them a unique look into the lives and everyday routines of other kids on earth.

ORDINARY PEOPLE CHANGE THE WORLD: A little history of the world shows us that the importance of interconnectedness cannot be underestimated. This book is a treasure that combines the best of children's picture books with a taste of cultural studies sized just right for young readers. "Helps children understand the world more globally."—Charlotte News Observer

Perfect for:

• Parents or teachers looking for children's books that explore the world
• Fans of National Geographic Kids magazine and other resources that explore geography and different world cultures
• Readers of books like Everything & Everywhere: A Fact-Filled Adventure for Curious Globe-Trotters and Milo Imagines the World
• Pair with a child's world atlas to create an inspiring and educational gift

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781452150185
Publisher:	Chronicle Books
Publication date:	05/02/2017
Pages:	52
Sales rank:	29,104
Product dimensions:	9.20(w) x 12.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	NC620L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Matt Lamothe is one third of the award-winning design company ALSO as well as the coauthor of The Exquisite Book, The Where, the Why and the How, and The Who, the What, and the When. He lives in Chicago.

Editorial Reviews

A global introduction that goes beyond the usual symbols and sights.”-Kirkus Reviews

"Helps children understand the world more globally."—Charlotte News Observer

Read On Wisconsin! State Reading List 2018-2019

"My kids get to see that their way of life isn’t the only way. And that’s a really important lesson. For us all."—Cool Mom Picks

"I LOVE this book. Consider it an essential for any children’s library."—Design Mom

“Readers will enjoy making cultural comparisons . . . as they follow each child through his or her day.”-The Horn Book Magazine, starred review

"This is exactly the sort of book I love getting for my kids."—Jason Kottke, kottke.org

“A good title for a read-aloud, as well as for the study of world communities.”-School Library Connection

Booklist Editor's Choice

From the Publisher

05/01/2017
K-Gr 3—An illustrated take on how seven real kids from different countries go about a typical day. Each spread introduces a new topic (family, teachers, chores, dinner, play, etc.) and dedicates a panel to each child, identified by country, with glossary words underlined ("Iran: I live in a second-floor apartment in the city of Gorgan, close to the Caspian Sea."). Lamothe was able to create the digitally rendered illustrations based on photos sent to him by the families featured (a family photo for each child is included at the end). The muted palette in combination with the level of detail makes for a pleasing visual experience. An ending spread with a night sky scattered with stars and a glowing full moon is accompanied by the words, "This is my night sky," hinting that though these kids may lead very different lives, they all sleep under the same sky. In the "Meet the Families" section, Lamothe emphasizes that "not everyone in Peru likes to play soccer, and not everyone in Japan eats fish for breakfast," smartly communicating that the work is just one representation of much larger, complex communities. Endpapers provide a visual map of each child's name and country, including a cameo of the author. VERDICT A good purchase to refresh social science and geography collections.—Melissa Smith, Royal Oak Public Library, MI

School Library Journal

2017-03-29
Children from around the world describe "how we do it."As described in an author's note, seven children and families (from Italy, Japan, Peru, Russia, Uganda, India, and Iran) provided photos and information on daily life used as research for stylized yet realistic digital illustrations that fill this large-format, very attractive picture book and the text. Each section starts with a statement: "This is me"; "This is where I live." The explanatory text for each child can sometimes feel static, with occasional words defined in the glossary, but it is really the contrasting pictures, side by side, that are the attraction here. Many double-page spreads show examples from all seven countries, such as the page that focuses on chores. All seven children describe their tasks: Daphine, from Uganda, sweeps the yard with a small broom; Oleg, from Russia, vacuums; and Ribaldo, from Peru, helps with farming. Occasional topics demand multiple double-page spreads, as in a sequence that shows the children's varying paths to school. No real social issues are mentioned, although a flashlight illuminates Ribaldo's table as he helps his brother with homework, and Daphine has 69 children in her class at a "private school." All families introduced are headed by heterosexual parents. Actual photos of each family appear at the end, and the endpapers feature a world map with the homes of the seven children indicated. A global introduction that goes beyond the usual symbols and sights. (glossary) (Informational picture book. 6-10)

Kirkus Reviews