by David J. Smith ▪ illustrated by Shelagh Armstrong
Available now ▪ Citizen Kid / Kids Can Press ▪ Ages 8-12
The best-selling book which has sold over 400,000 copies in 17 languages – updated with new content and insights about the world's people. A Common Core Curriculum ELA Exemplar Title
“This book is about ‘world-mindedness,’ which is an attitude, an approach to life,” writes Smith. “It is the sense that our planet is actually a village, and we share this small, precious village with our neighbors. Knowing who our neighbors are, where they live, and how they live, will help us live in peace.” -- author David J. Smith
Story: First published to wide acclaim in 2002, this eye-opening book has since become a classic, promoting "world-mindedness" by imagining the world's population – all 6.8 billion of us – as a village of just 100 people. Now, If the World Were a Village has been newly revised with updated statistics, several new activities and completely new material on food security, energy and health. By exploring the lives of the 100 villagers, children will discover that life in other nations is often very different from their own. If the World Were a Village is part of CitizenKid: A collection of books that inform children about the world and inspire them to be better global citizens.
David J. Smith, a teacher with more than 25 years of experience in the classroom, is the creator of the award-winning curriculum “Mapping the World by Heart” and the author of two other Kids Can Press books —If America Were a Village: A Book about the People of the United States and This Child, Every Child: A Book about the World’s Children. He is now a full-time educational consultant.
Shelagh Armstrong has been illustrating since 1987. Her work can be found on product packaging around the world, on coins and stamps in Canada and in many books and magazines. She has also illustrated If America Were a Village and This Child, Every Child.
Story behind the story: "I taught Grade 7 and the book originated with one of my students," says author David J. Smith. The student needed to decide which language to take and asked his teacher which one was most important. The student asked "Suppose our classroom represented the world, how many of us would speak English, how many French, how many Spanish..." This one question provided the idea for the book. "If the world were a village, what could we learn?" You can hear David telling his story via this Meet-the-Author Book Reading at TeachingBooks.net.
Praise:
"This highly informative book will get kids thinking and asking questions." -- Booklist
"These days, the world seems to be getting smaller. This timely, unique book enhances that sentiment. It is useful for a current understanding of the world's population." -- School Library Journal
"Thought-provoking and highly effective, this world-in-miniature will open eyes to a wider view of our planet and its human inhabitants." -- Horn Book
★ "An eye-opener and a source of action." -- Library Talk, starred review
Awards
Association of Booksellers for Children Choices
International Reading Association Children's Book Award
Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People
Parents' Guide Choice
IF THE WORLD WERE A VILLAGE is a perfect choice when discussing global community and awareness, multiculturalism, and human geography. You can "Make it Real," "Become World-Minded," and "Make a Math Connection" with this downloadable activity kit.
IF THE WORLD WERE A VILLAGE has been embraced by classroom teachers of all grades, elementary through college level. If you've shared the book with your students, colleagues, we'd love to hear your thoughts and HOW you used it in the classroom. Please share your experience with it in the COMMENTS field.
FYI: ALL THE REVIEW COPIES FOR THIS BOOK HAVE BEEN SENT. CHECK OUT THE "COMMENTS" LINK TO READ WHAT YOUR COLLEAGUES HAVE TO SAY.
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