In My World: A Vibrant Picture Book Celebrating Nature for Children

by Lois Ehlert

Creeping bugs and wiggling worms, splashing rain and glittering stars--nobody notices the details of the world around them more than children--and artists.
Take a walk with bestselling picture book creator Lois Ehlert in this vibrant die-cut celebration of nature's many wonders. Complete with a simple rebus game, this gentle book of discovery will inspire readers of all ages to share their love for nature--and to look at the world in a whole new way.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Art, Nature, Animals

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Lois Ehlert has created numerous inventive, celebrated, and bestselling picture books, including Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Holey Moley, The Scraps Book, Mice, Ten Little Caterpillars, RRRalph, Lots of Spots, Boo to You!, Leaf Man, Waiting for Wings, Planting a Rainbow, Growing Vegetable Soup, and Color Zoo, which received a Caldecott Honor. She lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Reviews

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colorful die-cut pages create the unique illustrations for this imaginative book that celebrates nature and encourages young readers to discover the world around them. Discover things that creep, leap, wiggle, sing, swim, bloom, or fly. Then play the rebus game. What can the young reader see in the pages of this book?

Highly recommended.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw a wonderful artist exhibit at MIAD - Milwaukee on the work of Lois Ehlert.
I read every sign. After, I borrowed a number of titles I wanted to revisit,
or hadn't seen. I'm so glad I didn't miss this exhibit.

This is a die-cut book with a simple colors, and text.
Don't forget to read the variation on the back end page

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book holds a very special place in my heart....it was the first book I remember reading on my own. The first book I memorised all the words to. I recited them with such pride. I still have this book on my bookshelf. I loved this book as a child!

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this author and the collection created
Very unique style to the illustrations
Loved it

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the fun this book gave children in figuring out what was represented by the different cutaway pictures.

[Sheli · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book fires the imagination. my kindergarten students loved guessing the images. beautiful representations in a unique style!

[Chad VanDosen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This is on my all time favorite children's book list now! I would have this in my classroom for sure. The way that this book is illustrated is so creative and really quite amazing. All of the different animals and things that the cut-outs make are so cool! Children would love to read this book.

[Brittaney Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ehlert, L. (2002). In my world. New York: Scholastic.

"In My World" by Lois Ehlert, is a fun pattern book for younger children, depicting what they find in their world. The book is very interesting as it uses cutouts to show the pictures and illustrations in the book. The book goes from an object or thing that is close to the child such as a butterfly and then goes farther out of the center around them, to depict something like the stars in the sky. I think visually this book is great , imaginative, and creative. The colors are vibrant and it is a unique way of making illustrations. This is definitely geared toward ages two through six, give or take. I thought this book was different and I would recommend it.

[Jordan Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

In My World
Author: Lois Ehlert
Reading Level: Ages 4-7

L, Ehlert (2006). In My World New York: HMH Books for Young Readers

This book is about discovery. About what inhabits your world and the world around you.

This book is fairly simple in nature. What I find most intriguing is that the book progressively moves away from more personal human interests to what goes on outside. The cutout style is phenomenal, and I love how the various ways the pages are cutout creates an earth-like image in the palm of the hand located on the front cover.

It's a pleasant book. Not particularly memorable, but it's enjoyable.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful title with die cuts on every page featuring beings from nature that Ehlert moves. On the two end papers is printed an activity grating the illustrations fro the and words encouraging children to interact with the creatures. For example taste the pear, find a leaf, look for butterflies, and last love them all.
This is a reread for me in April 2026 and probably enjoyed it more the second time than the first. I realized how much more intricate her die cuts where in this title than one I viewed it previously. Also overall Ehlert illustrates creatures from nature that may have been some of her favorites. Pleased to have read it again.

[Emily Levings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ehlert, L. (2002). In My World. New York: Scholastic.
This is a book that talks about the different things that children like in their world. I think this would be a great book for little children because it would help children to have the words and the pictures together. I thought it was a great book. I loved how the author chose to have pictures along with the words. I thought it was a great little book.

[Miri Gifford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Lois Ehlert. She writes about the world and nature and all the beautiful small things I never used to appreciate the way I do now. The illustrations are die-cuts of leaves, bugs, rain, stars, fruit, and other things you can find outside, and the pages are pretty sturdy so they should hold up through average use.

[Whole And · Rating 3 out of 5]

"In My World" has a very intriguing layout and I love the use of cutouts to bring out the shapes and simple text.

Probably intended for very young children but can also be used to explore creative ways of cutting out pictures as opposed to drawing.

As always, Lois Ehlert inspires through her works of art.

[Gina Diloreto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ehlert, L. (2002). In my world. New York: Scholastic.

This book is very simplistic. It feel it would be most appropriate for young children (2-4yrs). In this story it goes from close to the child's center, and works its way outward (worm, bird, stars, moon, etc). The cut outs show through to the next page, which is creative and is typically enjoyed by young kids.

[Edna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting layers of bright colors and die-cut help shape this visually imaginative book. Ironically because of its cut out layers what makes it interesting perhaps may not last long in a child's hands.

[Natalie Hoist · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book. I would use this in my classroom to teach about different shapes. It was fun cut-outs in it that is easy for kids to follow along with. I would recommend this book for a kindergarten classroom.

[Sarah Kramer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little abstract. It's better for smaller storytime crowds.

[Sarah Goodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's book is an exploration book for younger children. Simplistic yet hands on.

[Lauren Johnson]

I think this book would be perfect for younger children, especially those with special needs. They can touch, look, and read the basic words about things in their world.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Describes some of the many things in the natural world--such as worms, seashells, flowers, and stars--that a child can appreciate.

[Kimmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book with shapes with cut outs instead of illustrations. My kids LOVED it, I like it. Good vocabulary.