One World: 24 Hours on Planet Earth
What’s inside...
This book takes young readers on a global tour, showcasing how different animals and environments are interconnected. From the African savannah to the Arctic ice, it illustrates the activities and challenges faced by creatures across the planet within the same 24-hour period, emphasizing the importance of every species and habitat. Take a magical ride around the globe to see the wonders of a single moment in a story illuminating our precious and fragile natural world. Our planet is always turning. It may be midnight in London, but in different time zones other living things are waking up, ready to hunt or feed or fight. As the clock strikes twelve, two sisters are spirited away on a journey to glimpse, in the span of a moment, extraordinary a mother polar bear and her cubs hunting seals in Svalbard, tiny turtles in India following the moon toward the sea, and enormous whale sharks gulping plankton in the Philippines. Quietly profound, this glowing tribute to the natural world—and reminder of its fragility—blends accessible science, lyricism, sweeping artwork, and a call for climate awareness into an ideal companion book for Earth Day, or any wondrous day on Earth.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-9
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think it would be like to live in a place that's day when it's night here?
How do the activities of the creatures in the book change depending on the time of day?
Why do you think it's important for us to know about different times around the world?
What did you learn about how people and animals are connected across the planet?
Which place or creature in the book would you like to learn more about and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before starting the book, discuss with your child what they already know about time zones and the rotation of the Earth.
As you read, encourage your child to imagine living in each place mentioned in the book and consider how their daily routines might change.
Pause at each new locale or time mentioned to discuss the similarities and differences in the environment and activities with your child's own life.
Use a globe or world map to locate each region mentioned in the book, enhancing geographic awareness and interest.
After reading, ask your child to draw a picture or write a short story about a day in the life of their favorite creature or person from the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding Global Diversity
Explanation: Through exploring a variety of ecosystems and cultures around the world, the book demonstrates the diversity of life and human experiences on Earth.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate different cultures and environments, fostering a sense of global citizenship and respect for all people and places.
Example Lesson: Importance of Environmental Conservation
Explanation: As the book navigates through different natural habitats, it subtly emphasizes the importance of preserving these environments.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to consider their own environmental impact and to participate in activities that promote ecological sustainability, like recycling or conserving water.
Example Lesson: Understanding Time Zones and the Concept of Time
Explanation: The structure of the book follows different locations around the world over 24 hours, helping children grasp how time zones affect the way time is experienced globally.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand scheduling and the timing of international events, enhancing their global awareness and mathematical thinking.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Connectedness
Explanation: By showcasing a day in the lives of various children from different cultural backgrounds, readers see both unique and shared experiences, promoting empathy.
Real-World Application: Children might be inspired to learn more about their peers' backgrounds, share their own experiences, and foster connections that emphasize similarities over differences.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Lifelong Learning
Explanation: The book’s exploration of various animals, plants, and cultural activities can ignite curiosity about the natural world and human society.
Real-World Application: This curiosity can lead to a lifelong love of learning, encouraging children to explore new topics, read more books, and engage actively in school subjects.