It'S Back To School We Go! [Hardcover]

Ellen Jackson (Author), Jan Davey Ellis (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 3, 2003 | Age Level: 5 and up

In easy-to-read text, describes what the first day of school might be like for a child in Kenya, Kazakhstan, Canada, Australia, Japan, China, Peru, Germany, India, Russia, and the United States.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-Large, eye-catching spreads introduce the school experiences of children from 11 different countries, including Kenya, Kazakhstan, China, and Canada. Each entry includes the student's name, age (ranging from six to nine), and place of residence. Then, in a chatty style, the youngsters tell about their first day, describing the activities and the ambience of the school as well as their particular locale's customs, foods, and family life. Bulleted lists present additional information. Stylized borders surround the text, and several colorful, realistic illustrations help bring each setting to life. A simplified world map shows the positions of the featured nations. A helpful list of Web resources includes sites for games, recipes, languages, and e-pals from around the world. Although there are many books about the first day of school, this multinational approach provides material for comparing and contrasting cultures. A good choice for group sharing or individual reading throughout the academic year.
Lynda Ritterman, Atco Elementary School, Waterford, NJ
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 1-3. The author and the illustrator who created four books about seasonal ceremonies around the world, including The Spring Equinox (2002), take the same global approach to the first day of school. For each of 11 countries--Kenya, Japan, China, Peru, Canada, Kazakhstan, Australia, Germany, Russia, India, and the U.S.--there's a short paragraph written in the child's excited voice, accompanied by a page of facts about kids and school, including what the children eat and wear, the subjects they study, and the games and sports they play. A world map shows the countries, and lively, colorful illustrations in folk-art style combine the particulars of each child's culture with the universals of leaving home and finding a place in the classroom. Jackson makes it clear that one child doesn't represent everyone in a country, and kids will enjoy the quick snapshots and the connections. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Millbrook Press (August 3, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076132562X
• ISBN-13: 978-0761325628
• Product Dimensions: 12.4 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,371,478 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

WHO: Ellen B. Jackson

WHAT: An award-winning author of 55+ fiction and nonfiction books for children.

WHEN: Born in the days of woolly mammoths, I eventually grew up to be a teacher, counselor, book-lover and writer.

WHERE: I live in Santa Barbara near a very nice beach, ideal for beach-combing and canine stick throwing.

WORKS: Recent books include THE MYSTERIOUS UNIVERSE, about supernovae and dark energy (a Golden Kite honor book), and EARTH MOTHER, a timeless tale about the circle of life (three starred reviews).

VISIT: www.ellenjackson.net

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Compare Cultures, October 28, 2006

By 

Donalyn Miller (Bedford, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It'S Back To School We Go! (Hardcover)

I used this book during the first week of school with my sixth grade World Geopgraphy class. The stories gave my students a great peek at the lives of children around the world and led them to compare how school and life are the same (and different) for children everywhere.

I think the book would be appropriate for children throughout the elementary and intermediate years.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Read!, October 23, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: It'S Back To School We Go! (Hardcover)

What a wonderful and warm way to show the amazing similarities and differences among children around the world! A charming book and one that will endure. The author captures the excitement of children returning to school in a lovely way.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Idea!!, October 3, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: It'S Back To School We Go! (Hardcover)

This is a fabulous book for expanding children's curiosity and knowledge of other cultures. Every child can relate to the challenge and excitement of the first day of school. Children from Peru, India, Australia, China, Japan and many other countries tell what a typical day of school is like. Each child who speaks has a unique personality. A great resource for teachers, parents, and children.