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I Am the World
From the Coretta Scott King Award–winning photographer of My People , an illuminating pairing of poetry and portraits depicts the splendor of our global community.
I am the world.
I am strong.
I am the spirit
of generations gone.
The children of our world come in many colors, shapes, and sizes. Celebrate the vibrancy, the fibers, and the ingredients that define the unique nature of cultural heritages across the globe and the universal truths that unite each and every one of us in this rich, elegant verse paired with striking, diverse images from award-winning poet and photographer, Charles. R. Smith, Jr.
I am the world.
I am strong.
I am the spirit
of generations gone.
The children of our world come in many colors, shapes, and sizes. Celebrate the vibrancy, the fibers, and the ingredients that define the unique nature of cultural heritages across the globe and the universal truths that unite each and every one of us in this rich, elegant verse paired with striking, diverse images from award-winning poet and photographer, Charles. R. Smith, Jr.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published July 9, 2013
1 person is currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Charles R. Smith Jr.
44 books33 followersCharles R. Smith Jr. is an award-winning author, photographer, and poet with more than thirty books to his credit. His awards include a Coretta Scott King Award for illustration for his photographs accompanying the Langston Hughes poem "My People" and a Coretta Scott King Honor for his biography of Muhammad Ali, Twelve Rounds to Glory. He is the author of Rimshots, Hoop Kings, Hoop Queens, Tall Tales, Short Takes, Diamond Life, and I Am America. A father of three himself, Charles brings his love of basketball and baseball right down to the toddler set in Let's Play Basketball! and Let's Play Baseball! His recent work celebrates subjects he's been interested in since he was a kid, such as The Mighty 12, which honors Greek gods and goddesses. He currently lives in Poughkeepsie, NY, with his wife, Gillian, and their three kids. You can visit him online at www.charlesrsmithjr.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 12, 2014
Text to World Connection:
While reading this book to my own daughter (age four), I realized that this is a wonderful book to get young children thinking about how beautiful each person is, even though we may have different colors of eyes, hair, or skin. Some people say “Hello” in a different way, or language. But it all means the same thing. . . hi! Each page has a vibrant photograph of a child (each child from various cultural backgrounds), with a quote beginning with “I am. . . .” For example, The first page begins, “I am the world. I am strong.”
Discussion Questions:
1. Remembering- What is one thing that you learned from this book?
2. Understanding- Why is the book called I am the World?
3. Applying- What would life be like if all of us looked the same, and ate the same things, and talked in the same way?
4. Analyzing- On this page the boy says, “I am the rhythm of capoeira. Capoeira is from Brazil, and it is a mix of martial arts (kind of like Karate) and dance.” If you had to say I am the rhythm of _________, how would you finish that sentence?”
5. Evaluating- Which picture and quote (or sentence) did you like the best. Why?
6. Creating- If you were going to add yourself to this book, think about what you would say and do in the picture. Finish the sentence, “I am __________.” Then draw a picture of yourself that we could use to make our own book about different people and cultures.
Review: K-Gr 3-In this slim volume, photography and verse come together to present a youthful showcase of diversity, beauty, strength, and joy. Lush and ethereal color imagery brings deep meaning to the simple, rhythmic lines. Each page explores what makes us who we are, from heritage ("I am the blood of emperors") to food ("I am the snap in biscotti") to clothing ("I am the pleat of the Highland kilts") to music ("I am the clickety-clack-clack of castanets in flamenco") and language, tying everything together to make a unique world. The book ends with a glossary defining cultural terms presented throughout the book. A powerful jumping-off point for children beginning to study their own culture and those of the youngsters around them.-Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA
(June 1, 2013). School Library Journal.
http://www.booksinprint.com.leo.lib.u...#
While reading this book to my own daughter (age four), I realized that this is a wonderful book to get young children thinking about how beautiful each person is, even though we may have different colors of eyes, hair, or skin. Some people say “Hello” in a different way, or language. But it all means the same thing. . . hi! Each page has a vibrant photograph of a child (each child from various cultural backgrounds), with a quote beginning with “I am. . . .” For example, The first page begins, “I am the world. I am strong.”
Discussion Questions:
1. Remembering- What is one thing that you learned from this book?
2. Understanding- Why is the book called I am the World?
3. Applying- What would life be like if all of us looked the same, and ate the same things, and talked in the same way?
4. Analyzing- On this page the boy says, “I am the rhythm of capoeira. Capoeira is from Brazil, and it is a mix of martial arts (kind of like Karate) and dance.” If you had to say I am the rhythm of _________, how would you finish that sentence?”
5. Evaluating- Which picture and quote (or sentence) did you like the best. Why?
6. Creating- If you were going to add yourself to this book, think about what you would say and do in the picture. Finish the sentence, “I am __________.” Then draw a picture of yourself that we could use to make our own book about different people and cultures.
Review: K-Gr 3-In this slim volume, photography and verse come together to present a youthful showcase of diversity, beauty, strength, and joy. Lush and ethereal color imagery brings deep meaning to the simple, rhythmic lines. Each page explores what makes us who we are, from heritage ("I am the blood of emperors") to food ("I am the snap in biscotti") to clothing ("I am the pleat of the Highland kilts") to music ("I am the clickety-clack-clack of castanets in flamenco") and language, tying everything together to make a unique world. The book ends with a glossary defining cultural terms presented throughout the book. A powerful jumping-off point for children beginning to study their own culture and those of the youngsters around them.-Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA
(June 1, 2013). School Library Journal.
http://www.booksinprint.com.leo.lib.u...#
April 27, 2014
TED 8650 Children's Literature
Text to World: This book shows pictures of children of many different nationalities in their native clothes and using/eating native things. Each picture has a sentence saying how that child is a part of their culture. The book uses a lot of foreign words to teach about different customs, and there is a dictionary with pronunciations in the back.
Discussion Questions:
1. What is one new word that you learned after reading this story?
2. How would you summarize this book?
3. How is one child from this book similar to another child?
4. What was the theme of this book?
5. Which child did you find the most interesting? Why?
6. Create a new character to add to the story. What country is he/she from? What custom are they displaying?
(2013, June 1). School Library Journal. http://www.booksinprint.com.leo.lib.u...#
Text to World: This book shows pictures of children of many different nationalities in their native clothes and using/eating native things. Each picture has a sentence saying how that child is a part of their culture. The book uses a lot of foreign words to teach about different customs, and there is a dictionary with pronunciations in the back.
Discussion Questions:
1. What is one new word that you learned after reading this story?
2. How would you summarize this book?
3. How is one child from this book similar to another child?
4. What was the theme of this book?
5. Which child did you find the most interesting? Why?
6. Create a new character to add to the story. What country is he/she from? What custom are they displaying?
(2013, June 1). School Library Journal. http://www.booksinprint.com.leo.lib.u...#
April 20, 2016
This book was great! It used black backgrounds so that children could focus on the large bold text that use descriptive words. The words used in the text are very general and can be used to describe any person no matter who they and where they come from. One image shows a young child with a disability and the caption states " I am the heart of warriors" I though this fit so perfect. Young children can sometimes struggle in understanding that disabilities do not always make a person weak or incapable of doing things. This image alone can show young children that no matter how a person looks or no matter if they are able-body or not they are stronger then we think.
The book used words like pride and honor which are words that can be used in describing anybody. This book showed people from various backgrounds sometimes having emphasis on location and sometimes not. Towards the end of the book it had how to say hello in various languages with young children in the background. The children were dressed in causal clothing making no implications of specific cultures which is something I appreciated. The book even offered a glossary for key vocabulary used throughout the book. I give this book five stars simply because it did a great job at describing diversity in a simplistic way without creating single stories for single cultures.
The book used words like pride and honor which are words that can be used in describing anybody. This book showed people from various backgrounds sometimes having emphasis on location and sometimes not. Towards the end of the book it had how to say hello in various languages with young children in the background. The children were dressed in causal clothing making no implications of specific cultures which is something I appreciated. The book even offered a glossary for key vocabulary used throughout the book. I give this book five stars simply because it did a great job at describing diversity in a simplistic way without creating single stories for single cultures.
August 8, 2013
In this book that combines verse and photography, children from around the world are celebrated. The images and verse both speak to the wide diversity of people and cultures that make up our world. At the same time, the universal aspects of children from all cultures are celebrated too, including their strength and spirit. The combination of a simple and powerful poem and dynamic photographs make for a book that is just as vibrant as its subjects.
Smith is a Coretta Scott King Award winner and his photographs here speak to his skill. He captures children mid-motion and often in full smile. His photos are combined with a poem that is simple but also strong, offering subtle rhyme and incorporating enough culture-specific words that a glossary is offered at the end.
Beautiful, warm and inclusive, this title is a celebration of children across the globe. Appropriate for ages 6-8.
Smith is a Coretta Scott King Award winner and his photographs here speak to his skill. He captures children mid-motion and often in full smile. His photos are combined with a poem that is simple but also strong, offering subtle rhyme and incorporating enough culture-specific words that a glossary is offered at the end.
Beautiful, warm and inclusive, this title is a celebration of children across the globe. Appropriate for ages 6-8.
November 18, 2013
Children of all ages need to take a look at this positive, life-affirming photo essay. Through a series of photographs that either fill one page or spill over to two pages, they can see evidence that they are strong and vibrant. Because the photos depict children from across the globe, several cultures are represented, and readers are reminded that these children make up the world, and the world is theirs. Enlarging certain words on each page insures that readers will pay careful attention to each message. Words such as thread, root, pleat, and stitch remind readers that children are integral to our future. There is a powerful message of empowerment throughout the book.
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August 11, 2016From the Coretta Scott King Award-winning photographer of My People , an illuminating pairing of poetry and portraits depicts the splendor of our global community.
I am the world.
I am strong.
I am the spirit
of generations gone.
The children of our world come in many colors, shapes, and sizes. Celebrate the vibrancy, the fibers, and the ingredients that define the unique nature of cultural heritages across the globe and the universal truths that unite each and every one of us in this rich, elegant verse paired with striking, diverse images from award-winning poet and photographer, Charles. R. Smith, Jr.
Multiculturalism -- Juvenile fiction.
I am the world.
I am strong.
I am the spirit
of generations gone.
The children of our world come in many colors, shapes, and sizes. Celebrate the vibrancy, the fibers, and the ingredients that define the unique nature of cultural heritages across the globe and the universal truths that unite each and every one of us in this rich, elegant verse paired with striking, diverse images from award-winning poet and photographer, Charles. R. Smith, Jr.
Multiculturalism -- Juvenile fiction.
July 19, 2014
I Am the World, written by Charles R. Smith is a very warm and inviting book that celebrates children across the globe showing how they come in various shades, shapes and sizes. I very much enjoyed how the illustrations spoke to the wide diversity of people and cultures that make up our beautiful world. Charles E. Smith is a Coretta Scot King Award winner and his photographs shown in this book captures his skills. Capturing the children in mid-motion with their beautiful smiles speaks volume of how his work deserves of awards that he has been given.
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December 29, 2016I liked the idea of this, but actually reading it, I wasn't really into "I am the thread in kente cloth" / "I am the pleat in Highland kilts" / "I am the history in Indian ghagras" / "I am a stitch of Chinese silk" &c. -- linking kids to specific items from their culture (clothing, food, dance) felt weird. I support cultural specificity, not just repeating platitudes like "we are all part of the diverse tapestry of humanity," but I don't want to say that children are pieces of their cultural heritages in quite the way this photo book was doing.
October 14, 2014
While this text is certainly an attractive one--full as it is of Smith's photographs of children from a variety of cultures--it has limited text and even more limited content. The photos may serve as springboards for discussions of world cultures; however, I'm not sure who would be the ideal audience for the text. I'm not convinced that very young kids would get lines like "I am the pleats in a kilt" etc. Aside from introducing some symbols of various cultures, what, exactly, is the point?
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March 9, 2017This book talks about the different children in the world- different colors, shapes, and sizes. This book teaches students to celebrate who they are- the fibers, and the ingredients that define who they are as individuals. This book talks in poetry, and gives unique pictures that definitely put a point of interest into children's minds. It is a great book to talk about with students in a lesson about diversity.
September 6, 2013
This book is very beautiful and shows many kids all over the world. Certain words stand out so you get the feeling of the country they are from. Talking about being born from emperors, queens, warriors, and kings. The emotion and flow of this book speaks to what should unite us instead of being broken apart.
The pictures are definitely strong statements about several cultures.
The pictures are definitely strong statements about several cultures.
November 8, 2013
This beautiful tribute to children from around the world is illustrated by the photographs and the poetry of Charles R Smith, Jr. He shows a world of children from many different cultures and what they have in common.
Recommend this book to preschool age children and teachers or parents looking for good multicultural books.
Recommend this book to preschool age children and teachers or parents looking for good multicultural books.
December 13, 2017
This book is a quick read and would serve excellently as a read aloud. Children of all cultures are pictured and their unique clothing and customs are highlighted. My favorite part is the ending line in the book, "I am the world, and the world is me." Includes a glossary containing words (in english) that are derived from other cultures and are featured in the book.
2013
Multicultural
2013
Multicultural
January 16, 2014
This warm celebration of identity and cultures from around the world is paired with stunning photos of children, resulting in an impressive, storytime ready option for multicultural discussion. Gorgeous and uplifting. Suggest to anyone.
January 16, 2014
This warm celebration of identity and cultures from around the world is paired with stunning photos of children, resulting in an impressive, storytime ready option for multicultural discussion. Gorgeous and uplifting. Suggest to anyone.
August 31, 2018
The book mainly talks about diversity and multiculturalism. I liked the variety of ethnic groups that the book included but it did not include the ethnic groups I teach. My students will not feel represented if I added the book to my lesson plan.
July 3, 2013
Pictures were amazing, the idea of one long extended poetic text was interesting. But the language in the text was not as strong as other Smith works.
July 24, 2013
A multinational book on feeling proud of where we come from. A good look at how we are all humans first.
July 24, 2013
The photographs are lovely
Includes Glossary of terms
Includes Glossary of terms
July 25, 2013
Bright, bright photos to show variety of smiles and styles of children's culture/faces.
July 30, 2013
Awesome, beautiful photography and simple text get the point across.
December 8, 2018
Age: K-3rd grade
A fabulous array of close-up shots of children representing different cultures throughout the world. Shows culture through dress, food, dance, and generations gone.
A fabulous array of close-up shots of children representing different cultures throughout the world. Shows culture through dress, food, dance, and generations gone.
August 1, 2013
Illustrations and rhyming text celebrate the diversity of cultures, languages, countries, and people of the world. Photographs of children from all over the world.
August 31, 2013
gorgeous photos, great message, love the powerful lines and what they say.
September 3, 2013
Gorgeous photos of children of all ages and ethnicities.
November 14, 2013
Striking photographs accompany simple text that reminds us all about the beautiful and diverse world we are all a part of.
April 23, 2014
The pictures of children from around the world to illustrate the poem. Great book to add to multicultural shelves.
May 6, 2014
Great book. The pictures are the best. I think this would help kids see there are many type of ethnicities out there and that we're all different.
August 6, 2014
Perfect for a global-themed storytime.
October 26, 2014
This is a nice addition for our global studies unit. I like that there's a glossary at the end to explain some of the unfamiliar words in the text.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews