School Days Around the World

March 2, 2015
In this companion to Children Around the World and Families Around the World, Ruurs introduces 14 children from various countries, based on real individuals, who describe what school is like for them. Feagan’s crisp, digitally assembled cut-paper collages give the children cheerful, puppetlike appearances and provide a sense of school environments that range from a fancy German boarding school to the house where two homeschooled Alaskan girls study. Mathii, who lives at an orphanage in Kenya, describes his morning routine (“The sun is barely up when I hurry to school to sweep the floors”), while in Shanghai, a boy named Lu explains that “classical music plays over the intercom” at his public school between classes. A lighthearted overview of school-day life that will leave readers considering how their routines compare to those of their global peers. Ages 3–7.

February 1, 2015
Third in a series of informational picture books for preschoolers and early-elementary readers about children around the world (Families Around the World, 2014, etc.). Children often wonder what it would be like to go to a different school. Each spread of this oversized picture book explores that question. Starting with Tamatoa, who attends a Cook Island school (where the children learn the Ura language and dance the hupa), the page turn finds Raphael in an international school in Singapore (where lo mein is just one of the canteen's many lunch offerings). Further page turns bring readers to China, Kazakhstan, Ethiopia, Kenya (where Mathii lives in an orphanage), Turkey, Germany (a boarding school for Johannes), Denmark (part city school, part forest school), Venezuela, Honduras, the USA (home-schooled twin sisters) and finally, a First Nations school in Canada. There's more than a bit of sameness to the flat, brightly colored, paper-doll-like illustrations, an irony given that the author has gone out of her way to present a welcome diversity of backgrounds. Each school looks well-funded, and there are no overcrowded or single-sex classrooms pictured. This volume could provide a starting place for classrooms that study children around the world, as the backmatter points children to organizations that raise funds for building schools and libraries internationally. These excellent resources give a more honest view of the state of international education than the book itself. The picture-book equivalent of "It's a Small World." (Picture book. 3-8)

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April 1, 2015

K-Gr 2-This upbeat picture book explores a typical day for children attending 13 schools around the world, from Amy and Gwen, who are homeschooled in Alaska, to Mathii, an orphan from Kenya. For each country, there's a colorful spread featuring a few first-person details ("I am out of breath by the time I reach my classroom on the third floor of my school. Lots of stairs!") that demonstrate that ultimately these kids have more in common than it might seem. While readers will enjoy learning about the different cultures, the lack of depth here may spark more questions. Educators looking to provide more context will find some help in a section toward the end of the book, "A Closer Look at Schools Around the World," which offers tips on how to engage kids with the text and presents additional information about the different schools. There is also a list of charities that donate books and other supplies to schools in need. The cut-paper illustrations are bright and friendly looking, matching the cheerful feel of the text. VERDICT This title is a gentle introduction to the concept that when it comes to global experiences, similarities outweigh differences, though some adult guidance is required.-Laura Stanfield, Campbell County Public Library, Ft. Thomas, KY

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2015
Grades K-2 What makes a school? Is it only a building with traditional classrooms? Ruurs argues that school can be defined in many different ways as long as young people are learning. This fact-based account features students from 14 countries around the world, who supply brief descriptions of their school day. Some are in school for just a few hours, while homeschoolers learn from morning to night. Some must travel long distances, while others live at boarding school. Still others have classes outside to learn about the natural world. Vibrantly hued, child-friendly collage depicts the diverse complexions of the students, though their features remain the same basic smiley faces. Talking points are provided, including the fact that many children cannot attend school. Though a quote from Malala Yousafzai is used at the beginning of the book, the fact that in some places girls are not allowed to go to school based on gender is avoided. Still, a highly copacetic introduction to various types of schools around the world.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)