Country Far Away [Paperback]

Nigel Gray (Author), Philippe Dupasquier (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1991 | Age Level: 4 and up

Parallel pictures reveal the essential similarities between the lives of two boys, one in a western country, one in a rural African village.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The lives of an African and an American boy are simultaneously explored; PW said, "Dupasquier's lively style uses the conventions of the comic strip . . . but achieves true characterization and depth of story. Unique among picture books, it avoids didacticism while joyfully celebrating the kinship of human cultures." Ages 3-6.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-- Told in the first person by two young boys, this story relates their identical experiences--going to school, having a baby sister, shopping, and playing sports--with very different results. The text appears in the middle of the page, and two sets of pictures, above and below, show the same actions in two very different cultures: a small African village and a modern suburban setting that could be almost anywhere in the "developed " world. Although the story is simple, and the cartoon illustrations of the scenes in both worlds are pleasant and colorful but not distinguished, the format makes this an interesting picture book. As a result of Dupasquier's cartoon style, the characters, both black and white, are a bit stereotyped and unappealing. Independent readers will get the most out of this book as the pictures are too small to share with a group, and they are the crux of the story. Children will enjoy finding the similarities and differences for themselves almost like a game. --Rosanne Cerny, Queens Borough Public Library, NY
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic (September 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0531070247
• ISBN-13: 978-0531070246
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 6.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,185,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Country Far Away, November 20, 2001

By 

Kris Beck (Mason, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Country Far Away (Paperback)

Using a unique style of arringing text and pictures, this book allows children to compare and contrast two very different cultures for themselves. The simplistic text is arranged in the center of the page describing daily events that happen in the life of a young boy. Two sets of pictures, above and below, surround the text. The top pictures display a boy doing an action in a small African village, while the lower pictures exhibit the same action being done by a boy in a United States suburb.
I belive this book is an exceptional teaching tool for younger children. It is an enticing introduction to the concept of comparing and contrasting countries. I like the simplistic language used that allows readers to delve into the illustrations to find similarities and differences between the two cultures on thier own. I would be a little careful using this book because of stereotypes that could be perceived. All parts of the countries might not be represented by the illustrations. A facilitator could help to point out that although the illustrations portray what it is like in some parts of the country, it could be very different throughout other parts of that country.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book!, September 8, 2001

By 

"misslibrary" (Omaha, NE United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Country Far Away (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book to share with children. The illustrations depict stark differences between a little boy in America and a little boy in Africa even though they are doing the same things. This is an excellent teaching tool to use when explaining to children that although we do things in a different way, we are all very much alike.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Help your kids understand life outside the US, November 9, 2000

By 

Joseph R. Mccullough (Westerville, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Country Far Away (Paperback)

I found this book very thought-provoking, both for myself and my 4-year-old boy. The text about what each child does in his day is very simple, but the pictures dramatically illustrate the differences in their lives. "Where is their car? Where are all his toys? Why is their house dark?", my son asked! It's hard for me to explain poverty or why our worlds are so different, but at least now he seems to be a little less focused on "I want that!", since he realizes how much other children of the world NEED. It's worth buying for your family, and would be great for starting classroom discussions as well.