Back to School: A Global Journey

This photographic survey updated from 2001 uses simple captions (“Doing long-division math in Jordan”) and images from a variety of sources to celebrate some ways that schools globally ignite children’s curiosity and connect them to dedicated teachers, new friends, and a wider world. Whether studying “motors and electricity” (Ghana) or on a field trip to a local potter (Thailand), whether children get to school by camel (Mongolia) or boat (Myanmar), “going to school is a big step toward growing up and learning to be responsible,” write Ajmera and Ivanko (To Be a Kid) in the afterword. The image quality is uneven, but in the best photographs—best friend pairs in India and Kyrgyzstan, a Cote d’Ivoire child who flashes a beaming smile—children regard the camera with delight and pride. Ages 4–8. [em](June) [/em]