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Overview
With its poetic text and appealing, vibrant photographs, this book shows some of the simple ways in which any child or adult can make the world a better place.Gives examples of ways in which people bring about peace by doing things to help and care for one another and their world.
Synopsis
Somewhere in the world each day, people just like you are acting in kind, peaceful, loving ways. Perhaps they are visiting someone who is old, teaching a little sister to ride a bike, or sharing an experience with a friend from a different culture.
Publishers Weekly
This affirming prose poem asserts that peace begins with simple gesturesacts in which any child might take part: "someone/ is/ visiting/ a/ friend/ who/ is/ old"; "someone/ is/ planting/ a/ tree." Some of the peace-promoting acts involve crossing cultural boundaries, such as whacking a piata or learning to master chopsticks. Thomas (Putting the World to Sleep) quietly makes readers aware of the kindness and pleasures around us. Her spare text and repeating phraseseach page begins with the words "Somewhere today.../ someone/ is..."play off well against the warmth and specificity of Futran's photographs. In some, the multicultural families and kids smile happily for the camera; in others, they seem entirely absorbed in their activities. The numerous pictures, varying in size, proportions and quality, show children horsing around, celebrating or concentrating (a few appear washed-out or slightly blurry). The book is a bit like the good deeds it describesa modest step in the right direction; the author wisely averts didacticism through her use of cogent, everyday examples. Ages 5-9. (Apr.)