How Kids Play Around the World - (Kids Around the World) by Stepanka Sekaninova (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

In this book we visit 15 different countries or continents to find out what games and fun activities the local kids like to entertain themselves with.

Children like to play above all else, either alone or with friends. But how and what they play varies from place to place. Would you like to know about games played in Africa, New Zealand, South America, or Vietnam? This book will show you that some games are pretty much the same wherever you go, while others are completely different and unfamiliar.

In each chapter a local kid poses as a guide who introduces us to the typical and most popular games and plays of certain country or culture. Kids will learn that every nation likes to have fun in their own way and that difference is what makes each culture special.

Review Quotes

Selected for the Spring 2023 Showcase: Spring Into a New You by The Children's Book Council

"This was a fact-filled journey around the world. The book was well illustrated with detailed images that complemented the content well. Reading through the book allows the reader to visit different countries and catch a glimpse of the childhood games from around the world. It was interesting how many of the games have expanded out of their country of origin to be played here in the US."--Netgalley-Librarian

"For me, the highlight of "How Kids Play Around the World" was the colorful and playful artwork that depicted children in different parts of the world engaging in various games and activities." --Netgalley-Librarian

"I love stories like this that show how life is for kids around the world. I learned a lot of new stuff as well. The diversity in this story made this great and interesting. It made me want to learn even more about these countries!" --Netgalley-Librarian

"This colourful book highlights a wide variety of games played around the world. The book also explores the role of play in different cultures and the importance of play in child development. Each page focuses on a different country or region and describes several children's games played there with a large, cheerful illustration panel showing children playing the games." --Netgalley-Reviewer

"Games from many parts of the world are spotlighted, allowing the reader to have a diverse experience while simultaneously creating connections from children to see themselves as part of something bigger. The reference style book was a bit too much for my younger children, but works great a guide for our lessons of cultures around the world. It opens up a lot more conversation, and offers a fun way to learn about other countries." --YA Books Central

"I really loved the design of this book and the way the information is broken up into small paragraphs for easy reading. The illustrations are really cute and colorful. It's so fun to learn about all these different children's games around the world! I appreciated that the information about each different culture is presented without bias or judgement." --Luminous Libro Blog

About the Author

Stepanka Sekaninova used to work as a TV reporter and in the production of children's programs. Now she is a writer and an editor-in-chief, living in the Czech Republic.

Michaela Bergmannova is an illustrator from Czechia. A graduate of the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, she worked with Czech Television on several children's shows. She has also illustrated several children's books and she also works for a children's magazine. What she loves most about how the children perceive the world is the delight that kids take in new discoveries and their straightforwardness to new topics.