Book

What We Wear: Dressing Up Around the World

by Maya Ajmera, Elise Hofer Derstine, and Cynthia Pon

📖 Overview

What We Wear: Dressing Up Around the World explores clothing traditions and everyday dress across cultures through vibrant photographs of children. The book showcases clothing from multiple continents and contexts, from everyday wear to special occasions. The photographs capture children engaged in activities while wearing both traditional garments and modern attire. Cultural celebrations, school uniforms, play clothes, and ceremonial dress provide windows into diverse communities and customs. The straightforward text accompanies images that highlight similarities and differences in how people dress around the globe. The book includes a map showing the featured locations and a glossary of clothing terms. This celebration of global clothing traditions encourages cultural understanding while emphasizing shared human experiences. The focus on children makes complex cultural concepts accessible to young readers.

👀 Reviews

Most readers find this children's book educational and visually engaging, with large color photographs showing clothing from various cultures. Teachers and librarians note its value for classroom discussions about cultural diversity. Likes: - Clear, simple text appropriate for young children - High-quality photographs of real children - Promotes cultural understanding - Includes clothing from many different countries - Good balance of familiar and unfamiliar garments Dislikes: - Some readers wanted more depth about why certain clothes are worn - Limited coverage of each culture/region - No index or reference section Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (34 ratings) One teacher commented: "Perfect for teaching young students about cultural differences in a respectful way." A parent noted: "My 3-year-old requests this book often and asks questions about the different outfits shown."

📚 Similar books

The Way We Do It in Japan by Geneva Cobb Iijima A young boy moves to Japan and learns about clothing, customs, and daily routines in his new home.

All Kinds of Children by Norma Simon Children from cultures worldwide share experiences of getting dressed, eating meals, going to school, and playing games.

Material World: A Global Family Portrait by Peter Menzel Photographs of families from 30 nations showcase their homes, possessions, clothing, and daily lives.

Children Just Like Me by Barnabas Kindersley Profiles of children from across the globe reveal their homes, food, schools, clothes, and traditions.

Our Grandparents: A Global Album by Maya Ajmera and Sheila Kinkade Photographs depict grandparents from different cultures wearing traditional and modern clothing while engaging with their grandchildren.

🤔 Interesting facts

🌎 Traditional dress can indicate significant life events, with many cultures having special outfits for marriages, coming-of-age ceremonies, and religious celebrations. 👗 The book features photographs from 35 different countries, showcasing how children around the world express their cultural identity through clothing. 🎨 Maya Ajmera, one of the authors, is the founder of Global Fund for Children, which has awarded over $46 million to support children's education and well-being worldwide. 👶 Many of the traditional clothing styles shown in the book are miniature versions of adult garments, helping children connect with their heritage from an early age. 🌟 The book earned recognition from the Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) for its celebration of global diversity and cultural representation in children's literature.