All the World

K-Gr 2Charming illustrations and lyrical rhyming couplets speak volumes in celebration of the world and humankind, combining to create a lovely book that will be appreciated by a wide audience. The pictures, made with black Prismacolor pencil and watercolors, primarily follow a multicultural family from a summer morning on the beach through a busy day and night. A boy, his younger sister, and their parents experience a farmer's market, a lakeside pavilion, a soaking rain, a warm meal in a cozy café, a gathering of musical kin, and a quiet night at home. The hand-lettered text in dark gray is large and mobile as it moves readers along through the captivating vignettes. Other families are also depicted, and readers can follow many of their activities as they overlap and connect with the main characters. The folks in this small, diverse community experience what a summer day has to offer, including sun, wind, storm, and a sense of contentment and well-being. A double-page moon- and starlit illustration shows an overview of all the featured locales highlighted in this small slice of the world. Perfection."Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI" Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Tackling a topic no smaller than the world itself, Scanlon ("A Sock Is a Pocket for Your Toes") and Frazee ("A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever") invite children to explore a variety of its settings, starting with a beach where a young interracial family plays: A moat to dig, a shell to keep/ All the world is wide and deep. Tucked into a corner of the scene is a farmer's market, which becomes the focus of a subsequent spread (Tomato blossom, fruit so red/ All the world's a garden bed). This clever linking of Frazee's blithesome watercolor and pencil-streaked illustrations echoes the book's larger goal: to show the world's connectivity. The lively verse is consistently reassuring, even as life's stumbling blocks get their moment (Slip, trip, stumble, fall/ Tip the bucket, spill it all/ Better luck another day/ All the world goes round this way). Frazee's warm, endearing vignettesa mother studying with her baby, grandparents embracing in their bathrobesare a joyous counterpart to Scanlon's text. Together they create an empathic, welcoming whole. Ages 37. "(Sept.)" Copyright 2009 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

"Charming illustrations and lyrical rhyming couplets speak volumes in celebration of the world and humankind, combining to create a lovely book that will be appreciated by a wide audience... Perfection." — School Library Journal STARRED