As a parent of a child in a middle (to upper) class area of the United States, an incredibly wealthy country by any standard, I feel some responsibility to raise my kids’ awareness about children who don’t have such an easy life.
Unfortunately, some recent items in the news have shown children in distress — either in war-torn countries or areas like Haiti and Japan devastated by natural disasters. We don’t always want to talk to our children about these issues, but sometimes we have to.
In This Child, Every Child: A Book about the World’s Children, a Citizen Kid book published by Kids Can Press, the tone is very informative — not written in a sensational alarmist way, instead just painting a clear picture (sometimes sad) of what different aspects of children’s lives look like in many different areas including
- School (and literacy rates)
- Homes
- Family
- Health
- Work
- Play
- War (okay, maybe that part was a bit sad and hopeless for me to read
This oversized 9 x 12 book has a large beautiful painted illustration on about half of the two-page spread. The other page has fairly dense text (but in a font that is just right for young readers) describing the topic. At the bottom of the page the article from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child that pertains to that topic is highlighted in a box, written in child friendly language.
For example, in the section on work the article reads
You have the right to protection from work that harms you, and is bad for your health and education. If you work, you have the right to be safe and paid fairly (Article 32).
I’m not exactly sure who the target for this book is — definitely an older child, and perhaps one interested in world cultures or human rights. However, it has a valuable message to share.
What’s more, 50% of all the North American sales profits will be donated to OneXOne, an organization committed to supporting, preserving and improving the lives of children in Canada, the United States, and around the world. The donation is being used to deliver books to children in Haiti.
I do have a copy to give to one of you (U.S. and Canadian addresses), but if you collect meaningful children’s books, consider buying a copy of This Child, Every Child.
Leave a comment if you’d like to win, and we’ll announce the winner on April 13.
- The winners of Night Road are #87 Pamela S. and #47 Melissa N.
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Jennifer Donovan counts the blessings she reaps simply because she was born in this part of the world everyday. She tries to have a thankful attitude in her posts at her Snapshot blog.
Ms. Dawn says
I would love to purchase this book, but funds just don’t allow at the moment….so….I’ll try to win. Right here, right now!!
nowakoski[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Bin says
I’d love to see the book. My kids are younger but as someone who is always interested in demographics, I think I’d love to read it. Thanks.
Jennifer says
You won this book from 5 Minutes for Books! Congrats. Please reply to this email notification with your shipping info.
Sarah M. says
This is a really neat book. It could easily push an agenda, but doesn’t sound like it does. Thanks for sharing. I’ll keep this in mind as my daughter gets older, it will probably be something we’ll revisit at a later date. Thanks!
riTa says
I am very interested, for my grandkids.
I used to have, for my students, a series in Spanish that dealt with the rights of children and highlighted a different country in each one.
Amy says
I would love to add this one to our collection!
Wanda B says
What a wonderful looking book! I would love to win a copy of this!
Michelle says
I would love to be entered. My kids enjoy the “Children Just Like Me” book put out by DK and we have also looked through “Material World”, which is excellent.
monica says
omgosh. I would love this!
Jennifer B. says
Please include us in your drawing. We also love books about demographics and geography, particularly through the eyes of children.
Jessica T says
My kids would enjoy this – thanks.
Linda Kish says
Please include me
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Christa says
This would be a wonderful supplement to our Geography curriculum! Thank you for the opportunity.
cdemail2-gg at yahoo dot com
Vilmarys says
What a great way to show our children how to appreciate what they have and the diversity in our world. I would love to win this! Thanks for the opportunity.
John says
Would like to win.
Natalia K says
Sounds interesting
Megan says
I’d love to win a copy of this book!
mearley1979 at gmail dot com
Urailak ("LivingforGod") says
I’d love to win this book. My daughter is very interested in children from various cultures.
tennille says
looks interesting thanks for reviewing
Karen Gonyea says
I want to win 🙂
Julie says
I’m one of “those” moms .. the kind who had my children watch “Schindler’s List” and the documentary about the South African missionary who was killed by the people she was trying to help (yes, they were older, at least 10, but still). The sense of entitlement that many have is borne from never being informed of their own luck in being born into a country like ours, or being born into a family that cares and can adequately provide for them. A title like this is extremely important to help parents find a starting point for the ongoing type of conversation that leads to empathy for others.
Jennifer says
Julie, the commenter after you totally agreed with you!
I think that you would both like Just Moms which is a collection of essays about social justice. I just received it, so I haven’t read it yet, but I’m glad to know it will resonate with some of you.
Barb says
Like Julie above me, I am also one of “those moms” who not only allow but REQUIRE my children to know and discuss the events.
I am careful with visual images, though, as both of my children are very visual learners and I do not want them to be plagued with those images before they are old enough to deal with them.
Jennifer says
I think that you would both like Just Moms which is a collection of essays about social justice. I just received it, so I haven’t read it yet, but I’m glad to know it will resonate with some of you.
Barb says
Thanks! I’ll add it to my list.
Julie says
Just Moms sounds like it would be right up my alley; social justice and community activism is a calling of mine; thanks for the rec!
katklaw777 says
My kids would enjoy this one for sure, thanks.
Diane Westerbeek says
All Children need this knowledge and edification
Rory Kaphing says
sounds like a good book for my grandchild
Janet says
What a great book to teach compassion and at the same time to humbly praise the Lord for the many blessings in our life. Thanks for this opportunity!
Desmond says
Count me in!
Lisa M says
This book looks beautiful. Definitely looks worth purchasing. (if we don’t win it, first…)
valerie mabrey says
I would love to win this
gwendolyn b. says
My 10-y-o nephew would love this. He wants to be a “traveler” when he grows up. Right now, he really does like learning about kids in other countries and their languages and customs. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Ed Nemmers says
Yes, I would love to win.
Tricia Andrews says
I would like to win this. We try to teach our almost 7 year old daughter about other cultures and how other children live in the world. This would be an excellent book to share with her.
Miranda Ward says
This looks like a great book!
[email protected]
susan smoaks says
i would love to win this!
Christal Couturier says
this sounds wonderful
kathy pease says
Thank you for the great giveaway please count me in 🙂
kathypease(at)gmail(dot)com
James Coyne says
i love reading books and so i hope i win