Things People Do

by Anne Civardi, Stephen Cartwright

Cartoons show the kinds of work done by fishermen, builders, hotel managers, teachers, bakers, farmers, reporters, pilots, fire fighters, doctors, TV producers, police officers, vets, ballet dancers, and auto mechanics

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Pre K, Science

40 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1985

About the author

Anne Civardi was born and educated in Africa and has lived in America, but has spent the majority of her life in London. She studied art both in Colorado, USA, and London, where she graduated from Heatherley’s School of Fine Art. Anne writes children's books and is associated with Usborne.

Reviews

[leah isabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my kiddos absolute favorite book 💗

[Laura (Book Scrounger) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this with my four-year-old. It's a look at an imaginary island with descriptions of many of the different jobs that people do -- from hotel staff, to doctors, farmers, dancers, TV production staff, fishermen, bakers, and more, this is a fun way to introduce children to the variety of careers that people hold. I appreciated that this seemed fairly gender inclusive for its time, with a woman farmer, firefighter, mayor, and more. The mayor was a bit strange though -- she seemed more like royalty, what with the mansion, island-wide birthday celebration, red carpet, etc. Perhaps just a difference between British and American?

Anyway, one of the best parts is the names that all the characters have, which are all clever and have something to do with their profession -- the English teacher is "Les Chatter," the school is named after "Noah Lott," the ballet dancer is "Honor Toze," and so much more.

My son's favorite part was the section on police officers, where they had to find clues and interview witnesses in order to find the perpetrator of a crime.

[Sandy]

My children love this book. It goes through a number of professions who contribute to the community on the island nation of "Banilla". I appreciate the funny, clever names that were used to help entertain adults who are reading this book to young children. It reminds me of Richard Scarry books with the use of pictures and text to explain concepts.

[Mimi V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this with my girl. I got a kick of how their names corresponded to their jobs. Also fun to think of the people in our lives who do different things like the people of Banilla & visit them at work.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book that helps children explore the many different jobs people do. From Ballerina to Baker there's something for everyone. We also enjoyed playing I spy with the busy pages full of pictures.

[Cala · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute favorite for PreK/k age. Even T (8) still loves it. Introduces jobs and community workers in a fun, fabulous way.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of the Sonlight preschool curriculum. This book is by Usborne. I LOVE the concept of this book and my children are fascinated with it. The first pages introduce a fictional island. Each subsequent page spread highlights the jobs of people in that town. For example, there is a spread about the hotel, who works there, what they do, etc. This book generates a lot of discussion, also an easy way to plan some field trips or drive by the place you study that week.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great social studies book. Each two page spread details (lots of details) a career and it's innerworkings (firemen, baker, etc). As you progress through the book, the interactions between the people you have already read about and the new ones are shown until at last you have a festival with everyone in attendance. The names are plays on words and its fun to find the little duck also.

Fun, engaging, educational book!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my son's new favorite book. It is replete with captivating illustrations of professions and life in a city. We read through this discussing each new profession which enlarges his understanding of the world around. This book will be in our house for quite sometime and poured over numerous times. A definite keeper for kids!

[Tiera Vann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book! I can use this book in my classroom by incorporating scope and sequence in the classroom. The students can engage in a writing lesson that lists what "people do" and then they can expand on this by listing what "they" do specifically do in their household. For example: chores, homework etc.

[Kerstin Olcott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each set of pages has detailed illustrations of a career. There are ballerinas, police people, bakers etc. I think my children learned a lot from this book and it really got them thinking about all of the different opportunities that await them in the world. This was a favorite.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Explores the different jobs people do using intricate, colorful illustrations that kids will love.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

We read this book many years ago when the kids were little. It was part of our Sonlight curr..krb 12/30/16

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the puns used on the names

[Megan]

Social Studies