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All the World



Last updated Monday, December 27, 2010

Author: Liz Garton Scanlon
Illustrator: Marla Frazee
Date of Publication: 2009
ISBN: 1416985808
Grade Level: Kindergarten    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Nov. 2010

Synopsis: From School Library Journal Starred Review. Kindergarten-Grade 2—Charming illustrations and lyrical rhyming couplets speak volumes in celebration of the world and humankind, combining to create a lovely book that will be appreciated by a wide audience. The pictures, made with black Prismacolor pencil and watercolors, primarily follow a multicultural family from a summer morning on the beach through a busy day and night. A boy, his younger sister, and their parents experience a farmer's market, a lakeside pavilion, a soaking rain, a warm meal in a cozy café, a gathering of musical kin, and a quiet night at home. The hand-lettered text in dark gray is large and mobile as it moves readers along through the captivating vignettes. Other families are also depicted, and readers can follow many of their activities as they overlap and connect with the main characters. The folks in this small, diverse community experience what a summer day has to offer, including sun, wind, storm, and a sense of contentment and well-being. A double-page moon- and starlit illustration shows an overview of all the featured locales highlighted in this small slice of the world. Perfection.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Note to readers:
•  Since it's a short book, go back and have the kids describe what's in the pictures.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  What do you think the children on the cover of the book are going to do?
•  Why do you think they aren't showing us their faces?
•  Do you think they might go somewhere?
•  Do you have a favorite place to go?
•  Do your parents take you out to the beach or the park to play?
•  Have you ever been on a farm?
•  Have you ever climbed a tree?

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  What places in the book that the kids went to did you like the most?
•  Did the book make you think about your family and friends?
•  Did it make you think about some of your favorite places to go to?

Craft ideas:
•  Now that you know, "All the World", draw and color some of your favorite places to go to in the world with some of your favorite people in the world!
•  Have the kids draw their "world" - family, house, pets, even the sky.
•  Or, make a toyboat out of construction paper and draw little pictures of your favorite people and places that can go all over the world!

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!