Families Around the World - by Margriet Ruurs (Paperback)

About the Book

This colorful cross section of families introduces readers to fourteen real children from around the world and the people they love the most, from Sanne in the Netherlands, who has two moms; to Gilad, whose parents and siblings live on a kibbutz with other families in Israel; to Ji Eun in South Korea, whose parents both work outside the home. An engaging book about different cultures and what they share: the importance of family, and the familiar ways people care for one another.

Book Synopsis

A successor to the popular Children Around the World written and illustrated by Donata Montanari, this book allows young readers to visit with fourteen children, each from a different country, to learn about their families. Based on real children, each one's story fills a two-page spread and is told in the first person, beginning with a greeting in the child's native language. From Ryan, who lives on a Texas cattle farm, to Nkoitoi, who tends the family goat in Kenya, to Baatar, who moves regularly with his nomadic family in Mongolia, there is a vast range of homes, locations, customs and activities presented here, all of it enthusiastically illustrated with bright colors and vivid detail by illustrator Jessica Rae Gordon. There is variety in the heads of the families as well: a single parent, multiracial parents and same-sex parents are all represented. For all the children's different experiences, however, it is clear how much their lives have in common with one another, and likely with the book's readers. The love they have for their family members, the joy they find in play and the beauty they see around them wherever they live are experiences that cross borders. This is a wonderful, uplifting global studies title perfect for exploring cultures and geography. It would also be useful for a social studies unit on families and family relationships. Adding to its value as a teaching tool are suggestions for lesson plans built around the book, as well as a glossary and pronunciation guide for foreign words.

Review Quotes

... this quick global trip can serve as a first look at the larger world.--Kirkus Reviews

An attractive and informative multicultural offering.--School Library Journal

Inclusive in showing many different family structures, this large-format book offers an amiable introduction to families around the globe.--Booklist

Your wanderlust-filled kids will make 14 friends from all over the world and get acquainted with their families, too.--Today's Parent

About the Author

Margriet Ruurs is an avid traveler and has shared her 30 books with children all over the world. She lives in Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.

Jessica Rae Gordon is an illustrator, designer and visual arts teacher. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.