2030: A Day in the Life of Tomorrow's Kids [Hardcover]

Amy Zuckerman (Author), James Daly (Author), John Manders (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 19, 2009 | Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

Global events and new technology change how we live from moment to moment. So, what will our world be like in twenty years? Come take a look as futurists Amy Zuckerman and James Daly examine what a kid?s daily life might be like in the year 2030. Inspired and informed by trends and scientifi c and technological research, 2030 is not only a peek at some cool future gadgets (talking dog collars, cars that drive themselves), but also a thoughtful examination of how our lives might be impacted as we adjust to environmental change.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3–5—A talking dog, a housecleaning robot, and a three-dimensional "data orb" are among the many cool features that kids might enjoy in the future, according to this lighthearted look at 2030. The breezy narrative follows one boy through a typical day, highlighting many interesting aspects of his world. Fanciful cartoon drawings show a lively and appealing world full of new and intriguing activities that correspond neatly to modern equivalents. Schools are now made from plasticized blocks that snap together, for example, while recess features virtual batting practice and a "smart trampoline." Recreational activities include magnetized hovering skateboards and a virtual-reality "Fanta-trek Center." Some social changes are briefly noted, such as new career paths and the increase of marriages between different ethnicities. Interaction with the natural world is not mentioned, although many of the new technologies have eco-friendly components and the food is all meatless and delicious. Illustrated sidebars provide a bit of additional information or background, but the emphasis here is more on what new technologies will do, rather than how they will work. The one exception to the fun comes in an inset paragraph about overpopulation and starvation in Africa, a jarring bit of realism in this otherwise worry-free existence. The day ends with a neat twist as the boy reaches for his favorite type of entertainment, which the final page turn reveals as "reading a book."—Steven Engelfried, Multnomah County Library, OR
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

For any librarian who’s been stumped by a child’s request for a book about the future, not science fiction—the real future, this nonfiction picture book comes riding to the rescue, at least for a couple of decades. On each page or spread, a clearly written paragraph or two explains what’s different in the year 2030, including the school constructed from large Lego-like blocks and the wristwatch that beams your temperature, blood pressure, and feelings to your doctor’s office. Following a boy through his day, colorful, somewhat cartoonlike paintings create a strong sense of action within a convincing future cityscape, peopled by smiling folks enjoying advanced technology. Kids will want to show their friends features such as the skateboard park with its magnetically hovering smart boards. Appended bibliography and acknowledgments sections note dozens of books, articles, reports, and individuals consulted regarding technological innovations. With jacket art that’s sure to draw readers, this book will easily find its audience. Grades K-3. --Carolyn Phelan

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (March 19, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525478604
• ISBN-13: 978-0525478607
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,291 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > How Things Work
  • #30 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Environment & Ecology
  • #46 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Health > Diseases

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars So bright, you need shades, March 20, 2009

By 

Corinne H. Smith (Athol, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: 2030: A Day in the Life of Tomorrow's Kids (Hardcover)

Technological advances are made every day, it seems. How will they change our lives over the course of the next 20 years? More specifically: What will it be like to be a kid in the year 2030?

"2030" follows a young boy as he wakes up, goes to school, plays with a friend, and eventually returns to bed. Something new (to us) and innovative shows up at every turn. From owning a dog with a computerized collar that can translate barking into English, to living in an eco-village cluster development and attending virtual batting practice, the text explores a variety of technological advancements that would affect a child. Some inventions or predictions seem far-fetched; others could be very close to implementation. (A GPS in every vehicle is an example of the latter.) Adults who turn these pages may be reminded of gadgets they saw in episodes of the Jetsons, Star Trek, Star Wars, or even the Back to the Future movies. "Clean-a-rella" could be Rosie the Robot's twin sister, quite frankly. After reading this book, young people could be prompted to think and to participate in discussions about what the future might hold for them.

The book may have trouble finding its real audience, though. The text is far too complex for the listed pre-pub target readership, "Ages 6-8." In fact, many members of that group would have trouble sitting still long enough for an adult to read the whole book to them. More likely readers would be the middle graders, represented by the "Ages 9-12" notice that the publisher now lists for the entry. But since the information is presented in picture book format, those kids may assume that the content is for "babies" and pass it by without opening the covers. Some might even think the pictures are too "cartoony." What a dilemma! It will take some effort by a parent, a teacher, or a librarian to offer this book to a youngster who is ready for it.

John Manders' illustrations are bright, colorful, and detailed. Authors Amy Zuckerman and James Daly are obviously familiar with their subject matter. The information presented here is interesting. But the book could have been made more interactive and more kid-friendly. Add a glossary to explain new or complex terms. Post simple discussion questions at the end, or scatter them throughout the volume. Have an accompanying web site that does more than merely advertise the book; one where young people can explore or experiment with even more innovations. As it stands now, there's no follow-up or any kind of prompt for a child to respond to, once the book is finished.

Very few children's books address the topics of technology or future studies. That could be because elementary school students live very much in the present. The future to them may mean summer vacation or Christmas or an upcoming birthday. Wondering what everyday life will be like 20 years from now can be a tremendous intellectual leap for a young person. And once they are able to grasp that concept, they may be disappointed to realize that they will be ADULTS in the year 2030, and therefore probably won't live the young and carefree life of the boy in the book anyway. Yes, unfortunately, this one's a real puzzler.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Eco-Friendly Vision of the Future, March 26, 2009

By 

Shel Horowitz "Shel Horowitz, author, Guerril... (Hadley, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 2030: A Day in the Life of Tomorrow's Kids (Hardcover)

What will the world look like after President Obama's Green Jobs stimulus package has had 20 years to work some wonders? Amy Zuckerman and James Daly have researched current technology to explore what will be possible and eco-friendly in the coming decades. Brightly illustrated and clearly written this lets today's kids imagine what life will be like for their children, who might live in solar homes that recapture gray water...take hologram tours of distant locales in their classroom...ride in a car that drives itself...wear clothing with embedded Green technology to power all their personal gadgets, and much more.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a fun, futuristic 'n jazzy take on the future!, April 21, 2009

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 2030: A Day in the Life of Tomorrow's Kids (Hardcover)

If you've ever talked to your parents or grandparents about what they had, or didn't have in some cases, when they were kids you'd be amazed. Computers and cell phones were only dreams. The closest thing to a cell phone was the sort of thing Captain Kirk used to phone Dr. Spock on Star Trek and a remote control meant asking to one closest to the television to turn the channel. In this book the authors tell you to "buckle your seat belt and get ready-it's time to take a trip to the year 2030." Hang on tight, this book is something else!

Your clothes will have miniature solar discs that are right in the weave of the cloth so you won't need batteries to run all your "portable gadgets and games." Your data orb will not only tell you when someone is trying to reach you, but can also translate what your dog it trying to tell you. A robot will clean your house and smart appliances, which "use a special computer language and wireless signals," will be so sensitive they'll have breakfast ready for you before you enter the kitchen. Everything will be eco-friendly and you'll probably will live in an eco-village with your family. It all sounds soooo Harry Potterish doesn't it?

This book is fun, fun, fun and futuristic. The idea and gadgets are definite possibilities and, as we all know, with technological advances can become reality in 2030. The illustrations are appealing and have a jazzy graphic novel look to them. Get ready for a ride into the future with this great book. Say, have you been to the doctor lately to "upgrade your disease-fighting robots?" If so, you might want to take along this book to read in the waiting room!