Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased. Screenwise is a Bookshop.org affiliate and an Amazon Associate, so if you buy a book through one of our links, we may earn a commission. Bookshop.org purchases also support independent bookstores.
Screenwise Verdict
This is the kind of book that quietly does important work. It doesn't lecture about diversity or tolerance—it just shows seven real kids going about their day, eating breakfast, playing with friends, doing homework, going to bed. The genius is in the format: side-by-side illustrations that let you see a Japanese breakfast next to a Ugandan one, or compare how kids get to school in Italy versus Peru.
It's not flashy or gimmicky. It's just well-done, respectful, and genuinely interesting. The 4.8 Amazon rating and strong parent reviews reflect what works here: it opens up the world without exoticizing anyone, and it gives kids a framework for understanding that different doesn't mean wrong.
The detail is rich enough that you'll read it multiple times and still notice new things. Great for building cultural awareness before kids develop rigid ideas about 'normal.' A solid addition to any home or classroom library.
Age Fit
Best for ages 4-9, when kids are curious about the world beyond their neighborhood and can grasp that people live differently in different places. Works well in classrooms or at home as a jumping-off point for geography and cultural conversations.
WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
92
Celebrates everyday life of real children across seven countries with warmth and respect. Side-by-side illustrations allow comparison without judgment or hierarchy. Models cultural appreciation and universal human connection through daily routines like meals, play, and bedtime.
Imaginative
78
Opens windows to different ways of living through concrete, sensory details of daily life in Japan, Uganda, Italy, India, Iran, Peru, and Russia. The format invites kids to compare and contrast, wonder about differences, and recognize patterns. Less about fantasy and more about expanding worldview through real-life glimpses.
Safe
98
Picture book featuring real children's daily routines with no concerning content. Straightforward, respectful presentation of different cultures and customs. Common Sense Media confirms it's appropriate for family sharing. No triggers, mature themes, or unexpected content.
Enriching
88
Excellent entry point for conversations about geography, culture, and global citizenship. Builds empathy by showing both differences (what kids eat, how they play) and similarities (everyone has routines, family, friends). Educational without being preachy—just shows life as it is in seven different places.
Parent Info
✓
Why It Might Be Great
Shows real children's daily lives in Japan, Uganda, Italy, India, Iran, Peru, and Russia with authentic detail and respect
Side-by-side illustrations make it easy to compare and contrast without creating a hierarchy of 'better' or 'worse'
Perfect conversation starter about geography, culture, food, play, and family traditions
Builds empathy by highlighting both what's different (breakfast foods, games) and what's universal (friendship, routines, family)
Dense with information but never boring—lots to discover on multiple reads
⚠
What to Watch For
Best as a one-on-one or small group read where you can linger on details and answer questions
Kids might need help pronouncing names and locating countries on a map
Some younger kids may struggle with the amount of information per page—it's not a quick bedtime read
Conversation Starters
"Which kid's day sounds most like yours? Which one sounds the most different?"
"What would you want to try from someone else's routine—their breakfast, their game, their way to school?"
"Why do you think kids in different places eat different things for breakfast? What makes sense about what they eat where they live?"
"If we could video chat with one of these kids, what would you want to ask them?"
