Book Cover

If This Were the World

Contributor(s): Barr, Stephen (Author), Ford, Ag (Illustrator)

ISBN: 9780823457199

Publisher: Neal Porter Books

Hardcover
$18.99
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Pub Date: February 17, 2026

Dewey: E

LCCN: 2025014147

Lexile Code: 0000

Features: Price on Product

Target Age Group: 04 to 08

Physical Info: 0.40" H x 9.10" L x 10.20" W ( 0.85 lbs) 40 pages

Descriptions, Reviews, etc.

Description: "A class spends recess imagining that various objects are the world, but nothing is quite as suitable for everyone to share as the actual, full-size world is"-- Provided by publisher.

Review Quotes: The subtle message hiding in the creases of this philosophical tale encourages kids to remember and take good care of our actual world. . . ., Ford's art is electric, the colors seeming to vibrate off the characters into the atmosphere. The small speech balloons that appear only add to the charm and humor. A truly original Earth Day book, certain to provoke laughter and discussion.
--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Dialogue-driven action from Barr (The Upside Down Hat) successfully captures the spirit of playground politics, while thick chromatic outlining and light shading imbue radiant, rainbow-hued colored-pen and -pencil drawings by Ford (I Love Your Face!) with a boisterousness that aptly conveys the energy of the crowd's exploits.
--Publisher's Weekly (starred review)

If the message is overt, it's been given an innovative, fresh presentation here: unusually engaging, accessible, and aimed directly at its audience. Ford's cartoony illustrations rock with kinetic energy, and his portrayal of the class both as a collective whole and as distinctive individuals is an estimable accomplishment and spot-on for the book's theme--all kinds of people need to work together to protect our Earth.
--The Horn Book (starred review)

Lively, cartoonish pen-and-ink drawings in rainbow hues successfully convey the boisterous enthusiasm of the students and their diverse personalities. . . . This enjoyable picture book offers a great conversation starter about cooperative play wrapped in subtle undertones about the importance of taking care of Earth.
--School Library Journal

The gentle message, wrapped up in freewheeling recess fun, resonates.
--Booklist

Worth Considering
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