The Global Picture Book: It's Not Just for Kids
Picture books about the world can open minds, stimulate discussion, and ignite enthusiasm about global education. Read aloud a picture book with a global theme as you begin a new unit in your class, or choose a book expressing the global theme under study to read aloud as you conclude.
You might plan a special celebration for the third week of November, when International Education Week (November 15-19) and Children's Book Week (November 16-22) coincide. Middle and high school students can share a global book with a younger group. Below are just a few ideas to get you started.
Books
P is for Passport: A World Alphabet
Written by Devin Scillian
Chelsea , MI : Sleeping Bear Press, 2003. ISBN 1-58536-157-7
A beautifully illustrated celebration of diversity and similarity around the world, illustrated by many artists.
If the World Were a Village: A Book About the World's People
Written by David J. Smith Illustrated by Shelagh Armstrong
Tonawanda , NY : Kids Can Press, 2002 ISBN 1-55074-779-7
An insightful treatment of the “global village” metaphor. Offers data (updated in 2003) on languages, food, schooling, and wealth. Concludes with suggestions for encouraging “world-mindedness” in young people through discussion, games, and activities.
How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World
Written and illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
New York : Dragonfly Books, 1996 ISBN 0-67988-083-6
A magical trip around the world to collect the ingredients for an apple pie. Young children are delighted by the fanciful adventure, and older listeners are intrigued by the geographical detail of the pie's origins. Includes a simple recipe for apple pie.
Children Just Like Me: Celebrations!
Written by Barnabas and Anabel Kindersley
New York : DK Publishing, 1997. ISBN: 0-78942-027-9
The sequel to Children Just Like Me features descriptions and photos of festivals and holidays celebrated in different countries around the world. A great way to visualize cultural celebrations in a region under study.
Material World: A Global Family Portrait
By Peter Menzel, Charles C. Mann, and Paul Kennedy
Sierra Club Books, 1995 ISBN: 0-87156-430-0
A photographic tour of the world in which the sights are families' homes and their belongings. A good visual depiction of differences in culture, environment, and wealth.
Hello, World! Greetings in 42 Languages Around the Globe!
Written and Illustrated by Manya Stojic
New York : Scholastic Books, 2002 ISBN 0-43936-202-4
A picture book that offers “hellos” in many languages, and includes pronunciation. This book could be the inspiration for a school and parents' night presentation, with younger students learning to say the “hello” and older students explaining where language is spoken.
Around the World Series
Written b y Ann Morris
A photographic series suitable for all ages, including young children. Thematically arranged (families, work, houses, bread, hats, shoes), each book makes clear the diversity and ingenuity cultures express in creating what is simplest and most useful in life.
On the Same Day in March: A Tour of the World's Weather
Written by Marilyn Singer. Illustrated by Frané Lessac.
New York : HarperTrophy, 2001 ISBN 0-06443-528-8
A world tour on a single day, dramatizing differences in climate, environment, and cultural adaptations in poetic language and illustrations with the beautiful simplicity of folk art.
Websites
Carol Hurst's Children's Literature site offers more ideas for the global read-aloud. See Looking Critically at Picture Books” at http://www.carolhurst.com/subjects/criticalpicture.html
and “Recommended Titles for Reading Aloud” http://www.carolhurst.com/profsubjects/reading/readingaloud.html
The National Council on Social Studies also offers annual lists of worthwhile books you might include in your classroom. http://www.ncss.org/resources/notable/
-contributed by Regina Higgins, World View