Come out and Play by Maya Ajmera, John Ivanko, John D. Ivanko, Shakti for Children Staff (Editor)

From the Publisher

Whats the best part of being a kid? You get to play! Whether its running, jumping, splashing, climbing, throwing, or catching, the joy and freedom of play spread across the pages of this exuberant picture book. No matter who they are or where they live, all children love to play. From China to Costa Rica and from Austria to Ethiopia, its all about learning new games, making new friends, and discovering new ways to express yourself.

Gorgeous, full-color photographs from more than thirty-five countries around the world capture the smiling faces of children when theyre at their best. Simple, direct text and a foreword by Kermit the Frog round out this snapshot of childhoods most universal trait. Are you ready to join in the fun?

Author Biography: Maya Ajmera is the founder and executive director of the Global Fund for Children. She is the co-author of several award-winning books, including Extraordinary Girls, Let the Games Begin, To Be a Kid, and Children from Australia to Zimbabwe. This is her sixth book for children.

John Ivanko is an award-winning photographer and author. He has traveled to more than thirty-five countries on six continents. When hes not traveling or writing, John runs a bed & breakfast with his wife on a farm in Browntown, Wisconsin. John and Maya previously collaborated on To Be a Kid.

Kermit the Frog is a world-famous actor, musician, and performer who has been entertaining kids of all ages for more than forty years. His television credits include Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, and he has also starred in several movies. Kermit was thrilled to write the foreword to this book because nothing makes him happier than seeing kids at play.

Publishers Weekly

Several picture books offer glimpses of diverse cultures. Each of the photos in Come Out and Play by Maya Ajmera and John Ivanko speaks volumes about what life is like in various countries. The sentence, "To play means swinging and jumping and running and climbing," covers two spreads and accompanies photos of a child gliding in what appears to be a metal bucket on a brightly colored swing set in Egypt, a child in button-down shirt and tie swinging on a rope in Nepal and children racing barefoot in Nicaragua with their village in the background. More exotic games (such as bao in Ethiopia or catch-the-wolf in Canada) are also featured. ( Feb.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Clark Thompson - Children's Literature

This wonderful picture book features brilliantly detailed photos that depict children from various ethnicities playing and having fun in different countries around the world. A phrase or two accompanies every photo in the book, telling how and where the child in the illustration is playing. For instance, the caption "Paddling a canoe in Guatemala" appears beside a photo of a child doing just that. The abundant, colorful photos throughout the book do a wonderful job of telling children that they are no different than other kids around the world. It helps the reader understand that it doesn't matter if you speak a different Language or have a different color skin; we all are alike in some way. This book is part of the "It's Kids World" series. 2001, Charlesbridge, Ages 4 to 8.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-Colorful, vibrant photographs showcase children in more than 35 countries. The easy-to-read, boldfaced text tells about their leisure activities: "To play means swinging/and jumping/and running/and climbing." The simple sentences are enhanced by the clear action photographs that effectively illustrate the many forms a particular type of recreation can take. To some children, playing in the water may mean running through a lawn sprinkler; to others, it may mean floating in a stream or paddling a canoe. Picture captions identify the country and activity, affording a cultural panorama-"Leaping through flowers on a kibbutz in Israel"; "Playing bao in the yard in Ethiopia"; "Climbing a tree in the Philippines"; "Playing with a truck in Senegal." The photographs also provide glimpses into the world's different landscapes and environments. Kermit the Frog's foreword conveys the message that play is a universal language. Two pages of endnotes serve as a summary and encourage children to reflect on the many kinds of toys and the importance of imagination and friendship. A great discussion starter.-Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Product Details