Today Around the World in 50 Weeks takes us, well, just that – around the world. Follow me.
Follow the Line – around the World
by Laura Ljungkist
Published by Viking in 2008
Themes: Physical Geography, the world, animals, habitats.
Ages: 3 upwards
Opening/Synopsis:
Follow the line
and take a trip.
We can travel by bus,
helicopter or ship.
Along the way,
who knows what we’ll see.
All kinds of animals
roam proud and free.
This picture book combines my two passions: travel and animals. We follow the line from Kenya to New York and even beyond to outer space, passing through the Sahara Desert, the Amazon Rainforest, the Russian Taiga, Antarctica and much more. Each double page oozes written facts and illustrative details. The illustrations are in one or two colors, mainly in black line drawings, blending ins subtly with the background tone. Sri Lanka, for example, is in tropical mauves with turtles and elephants in patchwork greens. On this tear drop island children can learn, among other facts, that Indian elephants are much smaller than their African counterparts and turtles can live to over 80 years old. You can take a trip along the line and visit villages & cities, seas and deserts and more. This is a book that calls for child participation, not just in following the line, but counting and answering questions. Do you know the color of polar bear skin or the coldest place on the planet? No! Well I suggest a quick journey to your local library to pick up this colorful, informative book. Fun at home, this book is also a great resource for elementary lessons on animals and their habitats worldwide.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
What an interesting concept for a book — it sounds as though it would be fun, would hold kids’ interest, and would teach them without them realizing they’re being taught. (I love stealth teaching!) Thanks, Joanna!
This is stealth teaching at its best, Beth, as you simply feel like you are on a journey!
Lovely, thankyou Joanna, I need to check this out. Very similar to something I have in mind. Great that it teaches so much about the different countries and animals.
I knew you would like this one, Diane.
Wow, I really like this book. What a creative approach to traveling around the world — follow the line. It looks like it is full of beautiful photos and wonderful information about animals and countries.
It is a super book, Pat, and I love the introduction of different habitats.
We had a book like this when my kids were younger (although the name escapes me). This one looks way better! I want to know the color of a polar bear’s skin! I would guess pink or blue….
Not telling!! There is a real mix of well known and unusual facts, which is attractive to kids as some they will know already and others they will be surprised by, Julie.
This looks lovely! I was walking to the local children’s book shop yesterday and two kids were chalk drawing on the sidewalk (usually unheard of, by the way, in February in Minnesota). The one was “taking a trip” with the chalk around the block. Reminded me of Harold and the Purple crayon and thinking about where a line could take you if you really wanted to go!
“Harold and the Purple Crayon have nothing over Ljungkvist, who takes young readers along on a journey from morning to night, from city to sea to village…. with one continuous line.” Kirkus review!! Great minds, Sheri!
Sounds fabulous. I want to travel everywhere. And I want to take my kids with me. I want them to experience all the wonderful places, people and cultures. This book sounds like a fun way to tap into that while they’re growing. So glad you shared!
This is a great low cost way to travel with kids, Leigh. 😉
Oh, I like the looks of this one! What a great idea to have the reader take a journey to discover the different animals.
I know when I travel one of the highlights is the different flora and fauna
It is for us, too! Our favorite places to stay when we lived on the road were national parks or out of the way state and private campgrounds.
I with you all the way!
This sounds like one that needs to be in our household. Thanks for the recommendation. It also sounds very similar, yet different to a manuscript someone shared at a SCWBI PB retreat. Might be a good “similar title.” If it is, I’ll have to find that guy’s email! Thanks.
I think you could simplify it enough for Enzo to enjoy the illustrations, Stacey! Hope it proves useful for the SCBWI guy’s manuscript!
Just dropping by to say you’re getting a great response on my blog today — hope you’ll be able to stop by and answer some of the questions in the comments. (A couple of enquiring minds want to know what boar tastes like, for one thing!) Your interview is definitely a hit!
Thank you, Beth, I shall be right over!
Ooh, this sounds great, Joanna! Thanks for sharing!
The concept does sound very interesting – will check this out too. 🙂