We Are All Born Free: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Pictures [Hardcover]

Amnesty International (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2008 | Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: K and up

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948. Compiled after the horrors of World War II, its purpose was to state and protect the rights of all people. This beautiful commemorative edition celebrates each declaration with an illustration by an internationally renowned artist or illustrator, including Jackie Morris, Satoshi Kitamura, Catherine Anholt and Laurence Anholt, Marie-Louise Gay, Jessica Souhami, Peter Sis, Mick Manning and Brita Granström, Hong Song-Dam, and many others. A testament to freedom and the human spirit, it is a thoughtful gift for children and adults alike. With a foreword by John Boyne, author of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, and Doctor Who’s David Tennant, We Are All Born Free is published in association with Amnesty International, and all royalties will be donated to the organization.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2–6—Proclaimed by the United Nations on December 10, 1948, these rights apply to every child and adult throughout the world. Amnesty International has taken the 30 articles that comprise the Declaration and simplified them in such a way that they are clear to elementary school students. Each right is illustrated by an international array of well-known artists. Some of the pictures are downright cozy, such as Bob Graham's peacefully sleeping child surrounded by toys for Article 12, "Nobody should try to harm our good name." It is followed by Alan Lee's somber pen-and-ink drawing of folded paper cranes that have come to grief on a barbed-wire fence. The text of Article 13 reads: "We all have the right to go where we want in our own country and to travel abroad as we wish." Other artistic interpretations are provided by John Burningham, Niki Daly, Polly Dunbar, Jessica Souhami, and Satoshi Kitamura. This is an important book, best shared with children in a setting where discussion of both the rights and the illustrations is encouraged.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Amnesty International has promoted the values contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for the last 60 years. To honor the signing of the document, each of its 30 articles, written in terms children can understand, is illustrated here by artists who beautifully bring these concepts, both basic and profound, to a child’s level. In the first spread—“We all have the right to life, and to live in freedom and safety”—John Burningham portrays a park in which children of all races and colors play together, capturing not just the image but the essence of the words. Some of the statements are not easy to illustrate for this audience, but the artists are up to the task. For instance, Jane Ray represents “Nobody has any right to hurt us or to torture us” in the form of a bloodied Raggedy Ann–style doll, shown across two pages on an expanse of white. The pictures range from realistic to fanciful; some of the art mixes both. Handsomely reproduced, the illustrations expand and enhance the powerful words. So much to look at, so much to discuss. Grades K-3. --Ilene Cooper

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books (October 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1845076508
• ISBN-13: 978-1845076504
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #660,596 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous, November 24, 2008

By 

H. Wolfe - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: We Are All Born Free: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Pictures (Hardcover)

I am so excited about this book; it is really a great addition to your library. I teach third grade and I bought two copies-- one for my classroom and another for the eighth grade teacher. If you have religion lessons in your school (I teach at a Catholic school) this can also really help supplement lessons about compassion, dignity, etc.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WE ARE ALL BORN FREE, April 11, 2009

By 

Anne G. Koza "lawkoza" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: We Are All Born Free: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Pictures (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful and beautiful book that provides a simiplified version of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, to which this country presumably agreed to. It was published by Amnesty International and the artists donated their illustrations, so the profits go to Amnesty International. The book is similar to our bill of rights. I am taking classes for my TESOL certificate and will teach a citizenship class soon. The book would be nice to use. At least this country will still allow this book to be used, although those who think torture is acceptable by the U.S. Government will think the book is too "liberal." This book would be too incendiary to be used in most countries of the world, including some parts of the U.S. Everyone who thinks they are free should read this book and do some serious reflecting about what we allow our government to do in our name.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A powerful reminder of fundamental human rights and dignity, January 16, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: We Are All Born Free: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Pictures (Hardcover)

All royalties from the sale of We Are All Born Free: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Pictures will be donated to Amnesty International. Published to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, We Are All Born Free depicts each article with a colorful, two-page illustration by an internationally known artist. "Everyone has the right to own things or share them. Nobody should take our things from us without a good reason." A two-page spread in the back of the book repeats all of the written articles for easy reference. We Are All Born Free is a powerful reminder of fundamental human rights and dignity, and a welcome addition to public library children's collections.