Jackson, Ellen. It’s back to school we go! first day stories from around the world. Millbrook Press. Minneapolis, 2003.
Summary:
This book tells a story about a child’s first day of school in selected countries. It outlines the different traditions exercised in each country and compares them to each other. While the children in the story are fictional they are based upon actual children. The facts on each page about the traditions on the first days of school are also factual.
Author: Ellen Jackson
Illustrator: Jan Davey Ellis
Access Features: Author’s Note, Map, Bibliography, Web Resources, About the Author, About the Illustrator
Illustrations: The mechanics were not mentioned in the book but the illustrator traditionally uses oil, watercolor, pencil, or a combination of all.
Curriculum: Social Studies
Use of book in Classroom: This would be a good resource to use when discussing different cultures and societies.
Book Design: This book is very tall, rectangular shaped. Each two-page spread contains the story of the child’s first day of school on one page while the other page has the facts about school days in that country. The end pages are orange and each two-page spread is outlined with an image of something that is significant to that area of the world, such as bamboo or snow flakes.
Writing Style: The writing in the book introduces some of the language in those parts of the world and translates them for the reader. Jackson uses very simple language to make the book easy to understand.
Credibility of Author: Jackson has written more than 50 books for children and has many award winning books to her credit. She lists all her bibliographic information which includes many books about the different regions presented as well as web resources including the National Geographic website.
Grade Level: PreK-3
Awards: Notable Social Studies Trade Book 2004
National Standards: Social Studies: Standard 3: People, Places, and Environments; Standard 4: Individuality and Individual Development; Standard 5: Individuals, Groups, and Institutions
Related Texts: A Fine, Fine School –Sharon Creech
Response:
It was really interesting to read about the different ways school is handled in different countries. I really had no idea that it was so different. I also enjoyed reading about the different subjects that are studied in all the countries in the book.
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2 comments:
This sounds like a a book I would like to read to my 4th graders. Even though it is a little bit below their level, I think they would enjoy it.
Deb
An experience all children have if they go to school! Looks like a meaningful way to teach about kids do in ohter parts of the world.
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