i thought this very stupid. the japanese kids look as non-japanese as their illustrators. ( )

This book takes a look at the lives of 8 children from various countries and shows what their day is like. An explanation is included under the pictures. I think this would be a good book to use to show time zones throughout the world. ( )

Famous picture book artists join with Mitsumasa Anno to show what's happening during a 24 hour period in his or her country (US, Japan, Kenya...) and a story ties the scenes all together in the middle of the page. I wish the bottom half were all southern hemisphere countries, to illustrate the differences in weather. The concept of this great and it would tie in nicely with a unit about time and be good for lap reading, but as a story time choice, it would not be engaging. Grades 2+

BACKCOVER BLURB:
"Ten outstanding artists illustrate the similarities and differences in children and their activities in eight different parts of the world throughout one 24-hour day."
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Narrated by Sailor Oliver Smith, shipwrecked on an imaginary uninhabited island in the South Pacific near the International Date Line. On January 1st, he addresses eight children -- Ze of Brazil, Kae-Kae of China, Alyosha of Russia, Tom in the USA, James of England, Jomo of Kenya, Ben of Australia, and Aki of Japan.

There is a note to parents and other older readers at the back of the book explaining time zones and daylight/darkness. It also explains that the theme of the book is peace, hoping readers will appreciate the similarities of children around the world rather than differences.

Artists: Mitsumasa Anno, Raymond Briggs, Ron Brooks, Eric Carle, Gian Calvi, Zhu Chengliang, Leo & Diane Dillon, Akiko Hayashi, and Nicolai Ye. Popov ( )

This is a fascinating look at a day in the lives of children from eight different countries, all shown simultaneously through eight sets of pictures on a double-page spread. The illustrators include: Eric Carle, Raymond Briggs, Nocolai Ye. Popov, Akiko Hayashi, Gian Calvi, Leo and Diane Dillon, Zhu Chengliang and Ron Brooks. The brief text can be enjoyed by very young children, but there are also a forward and end notes for older readers which go into more detail on the themes of brotherhood and peace (the forward), and also give a very good explanation of time zones and how they are measured. This is one of those books that can truly be enjoyed by anyone, especially someone who is interested in the subject of children's art and illustration. ( )