Children of the World: How We Live and Play brings together a collection of artwork, essays, drawings, maps, and poems from local children that participated in a United Nations-sponsored school visitation program around the world. More than 18,000 children from all 192 UN member countries participated during the groundbreaking World Art Book workshops between 2005 and 2009. The best pieces created by the children were submitted to a committee of poets, authors, and vested individuals from each country. Each piece represents how children view their lives in their respective countries, and together represent a mosaic of the life of a child in each country. Through varied media by the children that participated worldwide, families will discover that children everywhere draw, smile, and play - each one giving hope for the future. Each country is featured in a two-page spread with one page showcasing a stunning and intimate portrait of a child or children within their cultural context: setting, activity, and clothing or costume. The other page rounds out a brief education on that particular country: a map to show location; a drawing; and a story or poem - in the child's handwriting as well as translated - to share a personal reflection. The personal accounts and intimate photography leave the reader feeling as though he or she is actually meeting and learning from a child in a foreign land. The proceeds from this book will contribute to implementing Art in All of Us programs in classrooms to further promote tolerance through Artistic Education in schools around the world.
