Somewhere Today: A Book of Peace

Annotation
Gives examples of ways in which people bring about peace by doing things to help and care for one another and their world.

From the Publisher
With its poetic text and appealing, vibrant photographs, this book shows some of the simple ways in which any child or adult can make the world a better place.

From the Critics
From Publisher's Weekly - Publishers Weekly  
This affirming prose poem asserts that peace begins with simple gesturesacts in which any child might take part: "someone/ is/ visiting/ a/ friend/ who/ is/ old"; "someone/ is/ planting/ a/ tree." Some of the peace-promoting acts involve crossing cultural boundaries, such as whacking a piata or learning to master chopsticks. Thomas (Putting the World to Sleep) quietly makes readers aware of the kindness and pleasures around us. Her spare text and repeating phraseseach page begins with the words "Somewhere today.../ someone/ is..."play off well against the warmth and specificity of Futran's photographs. In some, the multicultural families and kids smile happily for the camera; in others, they seem entirely absorbed in their activities. The numerous pictures, varying in size, proportions and quality, show children horsing around, celebrating or concentrating (a few appear washed-out or slightly blurry). The book is a bit like the good deeds it describesa modest step in the right direction; the author wisely averts didacticism through her use of cogent, everyday examples. Ages 5-9. (Apr.)
 
From Children's Literature  
The blurb states this book's intent is to show some of the simple ways in which a child or grown-up can make the world a better place. Each two-page spread presents one instance of such a happening, somewhere in the world. I expected, but did not find, lots of "somewhere" on each page. Such limitation precluded the chance to stretch a child's world to encompass the reality that, as a page is turned, on each continent, country, city, and neighborhood these ways to raise children as a way of peace are happening. Otherwise without realizing "the somewhere," it is becomes "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood," double page spread by double page spread.
 
From School Library Journal  
PreS-Gr 2--A greeting card of a book illustrated with full-color photographs of multiethnic children and adults. The premise is that all over the world, people are helping one another, and in doing so, they are bringing about peace: "Somewhere today...someone is being a friend instead of fighting" or "someone is fixing old toys to give to new friends." Each double-page spread provides an example of a positive action in large type, along with several candid photographs of the individuals involved in bringing it about. A doctor cares for an infant, a boy teaches his sister to ride a bike, two youngsters visit an elderly woman, a family plants trees, etc. The book is visually appealing and offers a proactive, if somewhat simplistic, approach to creating a better world.--Lisa Von Drasek, Bank Street College Library, New York City