One World, One Day (Barbara Kerley Photo Inspirations) [Library Binding]

Barbara Kerley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 12, 2009 | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Barbara Kerley Photo Inspirations

One World, One Day uses exquisite, moving photographs and Barbara Kerley’s poetic text to convey a simple yet profound concept: we are one global family. This is a sophisticated concept book, presented as an elegant picture book with contributions from top international photographers.

This beautiful photo book follows the course of one day in our world. Sunrise to sunset is captured in the essential things we all do daily, wherever we live in the world, and in the different ways we do them. The first meal of the day will take on a whole new dimension for American kids as an American pancake breakfast is contrasted with porridge in North Korea and churros in Spain.

At the end, each image is reprinted as a thumbnail and accompanied by a detailed caption. Selected images feature photographers’ notes that share the thoughts and methodology involved in the making of the picture and reveal fascinating behind-the-scenes information. The photographers reflect on how the pictures might resonate within the theme of the global family. Such reflections are rooted in the life experiences of these well-traveled professionals. Their global viewpoints, in tandem with Barbara Kerley’s powerful message, set an ideal example for all future world citizens.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Sixty crisp, skillfully composed photographs follow children from all corners of the globe through a day, revealing activities that are strikingly similar yet widely divergent in the details. The juxtaposition of images is often remarkable. A photo of a girl waving from the back window of a Pennsylvania school bus appears beside a picture of a child in China's Yunnan Province, whose commute entails crossing a river in a seat suspended from a zip line. Many of the photographers (the images come from numerous sources) use light to dramatic effect: a soft glow illuminates the faces of eight girls in Gujarat, India; sunlight streams through windows as four boys stand at prayer in an Indo-nesian mosque. Supplementing Kerley's (A Cool Drink of Water) minimal, pithy text (Recess rocks! And so does lunch) are substantive concluding notes that specify the locations, provide cultural context for the photos and—most intriguing—offer occasional photographers' perspectives: the photo of the Indian girls was taken in a refugee camp (They were wonderful and full of laughter despite the terrible conditions). An arresting, eye-opening compilation. All ages. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Barbara Kerley is the author of National Geographic’s A Cool Drink of Water, You and Me Together, and A Little Peace. As a former Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal and a one-time resident of Guam, who now lives in northern California, Kerley is interested in showing how a richly diverse world shares much in common.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 48 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books (May 12, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1426304617
• ISBN-13: 978-1426304613
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 0.4 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,983,272 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I had two favorite pastimes as a kid.

One was playing dress-ups with my friends. We were fancy ladies with oh-so-complicated lives or pioneer women crossing the prairie. Once I was even a snake wriggling out of a snake-charmer's basket. As a teen I became very involved with theater, both on and off the stage. (For all intents and purposes, it was still playing dress-ups, only now with makeup, lights, and a stage.)

My other pastime was reading stacks and stacks of books--and sometimes, reading the same book over and over.

The dress-ups, the theater, the stacks of books, and, I now see, my work as a writer, have all been fueled by my life-long fascination with people and the story of their lives.

Come visit my website to see the stories I tell. www.barbarakerley.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a stunning book of photographs showing how children around the world spend their day!, June 26, 2009

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: One World, One Day (Barbara Kerley Photo Inspirations) (Library Binding)

All around the world children begin to rise after the sun comes up. They get up out of their beds, wash themselves "and celebrate a new day." Mmmmm, it's time for breakfast. The children have many different kinds of breakfasts to start their day. Some have porridge, some have pancakes while others have churros or toast. "Hot sweet tea with plenty of milk" is a good way to top it off. Eight little girls with smiley impish faces are getting ready to head to school. Some children only have to walk a short way to school while others have to cross a river using a cable. Riding a bus or hopping on a bus is a very easy way to get to school!

At school it is time to get serious. Children around the world read, write, have music lessons, write math problems on the board, work on their science projects and dabble in arts and crafts. Of course everyone seems to love recess and lunch. In the afternoon there's more learning to do and then "kids stand up, clean up and head for home any way they can." Some children aren't done when school is out. They have to work, play, do homework, finish chores and then think . . . about "what's for dinner?" Of course everyone has something that's a bit different than the next person. When the sun sets it's time for family and then time to get to bed. Sleep well, for the next day will come soon!

This is a beautiful pictorial book that captures the daily lives of children around the world. Despite their differences, on some level they are all alike. As the author states, "Kids go to school, they play, they spend time with their families. This book represents one day, from sunrise to sunset, around the world-a day we share together." The photographs are stunning and very appealing. They capture everything from impish grins to beaming smiles (no crying here!). In the back of the book each photograph is reproduced and has a location and most have a "story" underneath. There is also a map showing where the photographs were taken. This is a book that school children will be fascinated with. How did you spend your school days?

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get This Book!, October 26, 2009

By 

Portianay "portianay" (KY, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: One World, One Day (Barbara Kerley Photo Inspirations) (Hardcover)

I cannot think of a better way to express how I feel about it, other than to urge you to buy it or borrow it NOW. It is informative, educational, poignant, heart wrenching, jolly, lighthearted--the photos are beyond words.

To actually see how children around the globe spend their day--just amazing. it will make the American youngster sit up and take an interest, that's for sure.

I love this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One World, One Day, May 20, 2010

By 

Crease in the Page (Hills of Northern California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: One World, One Day (Barbara Kerley Photo Inspirations) (Hardcover)

I read this aloud to my kids. Then they wanted to individually page through the book and look at the pictures. Then they wanted to look at the last few pages of the book which tell where each picture was taken. It was bedtime so I made them go to sleep, but I wouldn't be surprised if tomorrow they're eager to look on a globe to find where each picture is from. Excellent photos, and although the faces and places look different, the book emphasizes similarities in our day-to-day lives.