All the World - Book Review - Genre 1 - TWU LS5603

The picture books I am reviewing were purchased through the iBooks online bookstore and viewed digitally on iPad as I currently live in China and have no access to childrens' books in English. It was quite interesting and enjoyable to read picture books in this manner. The ability to zoom ina nd out of the illustrations was especially enjoyable!

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Scanlon, Liz garton. 2009. ALL THE WORLD. Ill. By Marla Frazee.New York: Beach Lane Books. ISBN 9781442436725 (eBook)

2. PLOT SUMMARY
The rhyming beauty of a day in the life of any child, any family, and connected group of people is portrayed beautifully by Liz Scanlon. From a day at the beach to a morning at the market to an evening with good food and family, all that the world can be in its bigness and smallness is expressed in a sweet, melodic writing that bobs along from page to page. One is left feeling warm and embraced by the story and in you’re perfect place in the great big world.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Scanlon’s rhyming prose creates an instant rhythym that moves the reader through the story line. The pattern of small moments to grand-scale views of the world also absorb as a calming back and forth, almost rocking motion of the story takes hold. The language level is appropriate for young readers and would also make a fantastic read aloud book. The sing-song quality is surpassed only by the amazing and engrossing images.

The first time turning the page from the white-space highlighted smaller drawings on preceding pages to the grand full two-page spread depicting the ocean after a orning at the beach was breath-taking. It was such a wonderful move to turn from the detailed drawings of children and a family at play on the beach to a huge view of the ocean at beachside with the family but a small part make this book. This pattern of small illustrations surrounded by white space for several pages, followed by a two-page full-color, no whitespace illustration is entrancing. It makes one feel as if they are moving in the waves of the sea, being drawn back and forth. The illustrations are by far the most enticing element of the book.

Whether a member of a large family or a small one, this book helps readers see their place in their own world, from smallest element, to largest. With a nod to multicultural families, this book is a great read for all.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Starred review in Horn Book Magazine: "Scanlon's text has a child-friendly simplicity reminiscent of Margaret Wise Brown...All the World will win audiences with a sensibility both timeless and thoroughly modern."
Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “"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."
Starred review in Kirkus Review: "It's hard to imagine a cozier and more spacious world. At once a lullaby and an invigorating love song to nature, families and interconnectedness."


5. CONNECTIONS
*Taking a look at a day in the life of other families from differing cultures could lead to wonderful class sharing and inquiry.
*Look at additional books by Caldecott Honor illustrator Marla Frazee such as Stars, Boss Baby, and A Couple of Boys Have the Best Day Ever. Have students create their own unique stories from Frazee’s illustrations and share them during storytime.

*Other books for children about family and multiculturalism:

Adoff, Arnold. BLACK IS BROWN IS TAN. ISBN 978-0-06-028776-4
Pak, Soyung. DEAR JUNO. ISBN 978-0-14-230017-6

Review by Maggie Eubanks for class credit TWU - LS5603 Fall 2012