Parents' Guide to

All the World

By Patricia Tauzer, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Endearing art, rhythmic poem celebrate the flow of life.

Book Liz Garton Scanlon Picture Book 2009
All the World Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 2+

Based on 3 parent reviews

StanfordFan12
StanfordFan12 Adult
December 31, 2011
age 2+

A Favorite at our House.

A wonderful lyrical story that examines our concrete and abstract world in a poetic venn diagram of time, nature, and family. The timeless story highlights a few of life's, sometimes ironic, contrasts and finally circles back around to family and the little things that connect us with family and our greater humanity. The illustrations are outstanding and full of little details that my kids talk about every time we re-read the book. While this is not a book that my kids often pick up to read on their own, it IS one of our all time favorite books to read aloud. My kids are rapidly approaching double digit ages but our (dwindling) moments of snuggling and reading aloud at bedtime still regularly include this great book.

This title has:

Great messages
Nadiaj212
Nadiaj212 Parent of 3-year-old
April 15, 2011
age 2+

Beautiful illustrations - a nice read-aloud book

The illustrations are beautiful. The story sounds lovely read aloud. My daughter enjoys this book a lot.

This title has:

Great messages
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

The story begins with two kids digging at the beach. Before long it has broadened to include a much larger world and a whole mix of family and friends. As the day progresses, all their lives weave in and out of each other's, moving the story from the beach to the farmers market to fields, churches, parks, restaurants, and back to various homes. In the end, the little girl stands smiling and realizing that "everything is you and us ... all the world is all of us."

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (1):

Kids and parents will love this book that celebrates connections between all things: rocks; sand; vegetable fields; stars; trees; people of all types; music; storms; old; new; and so on. Kids will love the words of the poem, which are just rhythmic enough to be almost predictable, but original enough to keep the story enjoyable and fresh. Detailed illustrations add a comforting depth to the story. The sensitive artwork and gentle sing-song of the poetry work perfectly together to create a sentiment that is both peaceful and endearing.

With lines of black prisma color that sweep across lively watercolored scenes, Caldecott Honor medalist Marla Frazee brings a delicate sensitivity and depth to the pages of this book. From small scenes to full two-page spreads, her bustling, yet contented, paintings not only express the loving sentiment and rhythm of Scanlon's poem but broaden its story in a way kid's especially will enjoy.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the artwork makes the poem into a story. What do the pictures add? How do they show that the world belongs to the little boy and girl? How does it show that the world is big and wide, and includes us all?

  • What other kinds of things would you add to paintings of your world?

Book Details

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