All Those Secrets of the World

by Jane Yolen, Leslie Baker (Illustrator)

When four-year-old Janie's father goes off to war, the rest of the family moves to the grandparents' home on the Chesapeake Bay, where Janie learns a secret of the world which helps her understand her father's long absence

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Childrens, War, Family, Read For School, Storytime

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Jane Yolen is a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who has written more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lives in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.

Reviews

[GoldGato · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is perspective? And how does a child deal with the sudden departure of a parent?

My cousin Michael was five
and I was four
when my father went off to war.

Although the war is never mentioned in this book, it appears to be WWII. The father is departing on ships heading away from the East Coast and the style of dress and overall innocence defines the 1940s.

I got to hold a little flag.
I waved it so hard,
the stick broke in two.



When the little girl sees the ships on the water, they appear very small to her, as they are on the horizon. It's up to her cousin to explain why things don't always appear to be the way they seem.

This is a lovely book with gentle watercolours by Leslie Baker which reminded me of an older neighbour. When she was a little girl, her father went away to war. She told me of how she waved a flag and thought her papa would be returning soon. But he was killed during the Battle of Saipan in WWII and she never saw him again. A U.S. Marine Corp flag was always proudly flown on her deck.

Once upon a time, it began;
happily ever after, it ended.

Book Season = Year Round (little ships)

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Janie was only four when her father left for war. Before her father left Janie and her cousin Michael got to go to the docks and send her father off on a big ship. Although everyone was sad to see him go, Janie’s mother seemed to be taking it the worst. One day Michael and Janie went to the beach and waded in the water although they were not supposed to. While at the beach Janie noticed something tiny on the horizon, Michael told her that they were the ships carrying the soldiers. This shocked Janie because the ships that took her father away were so big. Michael explained that this was a secret of the world, that the ships only look small because they are far away. Two years later Janie’s father came home, and he commented on how he didn’t remember Janie being that big. Of course, Janie lets him in on the secret of the world, that he only remembered her being smaller because he was so far away.

Seeing the world through a child’s eyes put a new perspective on World War II. This book is written in free verse form with a relatively limited amount of words. The small amount of words in supported with beautiful watercolor paintings.

[Carmen Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, we get to see the world through a child's eyes. When four-year old Janie's father goes off to war in a big ship, Janie and her family move to her grandparent's home. While living here, Janie grows closer to her cousin, Michael, and together they discover a secret of the world. The writing is similar to poetry or verse because there is not a lot written on the pages but you use the illustrations to complete the story. This would be a good book to use when learning about World War II because this books shows how war can put a strain on families when their loved ones go to war.

[Jaleen Kinser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book with an interesting view on perspective.

[Katie Sproles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I️ love this book. It doesn’t delve too deeply into what life is like Janie when her dad goes to war but it goes just deep enough to leave you feeling her emotions. Janie learns some secrets of the world when her father is gone and she tells her daddy why those secrets have made her bigger in the time he’s been away. It is a heartwarming story that left me smiling all the way through.

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love this picture book. The writing is simple and strong, from a child's point of view so much is unsaid but understood by an adult reader. This style of writing is great for asking your children questions while you read and discussing the characters and story. The illustrations are beautiful.

[Makkena · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author does a great job at creating a profound idea from just a small accident.

[Megan]

CURRICULUM: RR/Classics

[Breanne Shauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story! Good for kids with parents serving our country.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore how this story tells a story from a child’s perspective of a dad going off to war as well as the mom’s. Beautiful illustrations and message.

[Perkins Y · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you can find this one, pick it up and read it.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this for Five in a Row. I adored it. It's a snapshot of another time, and it made me a little weepy on more than one read-through. Jane Yolen has proven again what a great author she is. And it's even better when you realize that Janie is really the author and that this is her story. Gorgeous.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oddly touching. I blinked away a tear or two.

[LLash · Rating 2 out of 5]

CLASSICS book:

The book "All Those Secrets of the World" by Jane Yolen was a different story, and particularly not one I'd read to my students. It had a good message, however, I found it to be slightly boring.
This story was about a little girl, her cousin, and the rest of her family (mom, grandparents, baby brother). Her father, left for war, which clearly hit hard on their mama, who cried very much for a long time. One day the little girl and her cousin went to swim in the bay, where they saw ships in the far away distance. The little girl's cousin explained to her that they looked small, but that was only because they were far away. In the end, when the father returns, she explained to him that when he was far away, everything is small, but now that he is home, everything is big again.
The illustrations in this story were moderately good. I was not crazy about the illustrations, though. They appeared to be water colored, but fuzzy looking and plain. I definitely think the illustrations were of the weaker part of the story.

[Charissa MacDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Young Janie’s father went away to war. While he was gone, Janie and her cousin Michael spent time together. As the two children played, Michael told Janie one of the “secrets of the world.” After two years, Janie’s father returns from war. Janie makes sense of his absence by the secret that her cousin had told her. The story ends by referring to other secrets of the world, such as young and old, short and long, and peace and war. All Those Secrets of the World contains themes such as war, coping, and phenomenon. After reading this book, I began to think about what other “secrets” there might be in the world and how I would explain them to young children. I would recommend this book because it ends by stating a list of opposites, which are referred to as the “other secrets of the world.” By using the antonyms, conversations about peace and war can begin, as well as discussions about other opposites in the world.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane Yolen's bittersweet tale of a child's impressions of her father's departure to war overseas captures all the tender emotions of a child who is separated from a parent.
Told from 4 year old Janie's point of view, the reader learns how the entire family suffers from the father's absence, and the conflicting emotions upon his return.

Even though this simple but beautiful story is set during WWII, it would be timely read today for those families whose lives are interrupted by war. Jane Yolen is such a prolific author that I am constantly awed by her range of topics and genre. Here she employs realistic fiction in a picture book format to explore a very serious topic, yet the evocative illustrations and simple, honest text make it an accessible topic for students from primary through intermediate grades.

[Rebecca Sherod · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘All Those Secrets of the World’ tell the story of a little girl and her family. After her father leaves for the war she stays with her grandmother, mother, cousin and little brother. One day she spends time with her cousin who, after a day on the beach and seeing ships in the water, tells her the secret of the world.
The large pictures throughout this book add to the understanding of what is going on. The larger text and simple wording make this book a good choice for early to intermediate readers. Along with explaining what happened on the docks when the father was leaving for war, and although it is short, this book does a good job of describing what it was like having a family member and war and what happens when they return.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful picture book, set in England during world war two. I used this book to introduce the topic of Remembrance Day to my grade one students for many years. It is a beautiful story about a little girl whose dad goes away to war, is gone for a few years, and then comes home. Many "secrets of the world" are shared through the eyes of this little girl. You will love this story, but be warned, you will cry. Wonderful pictures of a time gone by. Do read it if you get the chance.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Janie's father is 4 years old when he leaves for war, and she is 6 years old when he returns. The story is about getting bigger, older, growing further apart and together. It's about those small moments that you remember so vividly, and look back on with poignancy. I think this is a beautifully told story, sparse in words, but awash with imagery.

Good for all ages.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Yolen book that is just beautiful. It's for younger readers in one sense, but is something that any reader can take something from. The wartime element might be something to consider when sharing this with a student. It has a memoir-like tone.

[Cana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mommy says: Sweet story about a family whose Dad goes off to war and returns.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nostalgic illustrations and historical backdrop are a treat but the inclusion of a spanking and a toddler's harsh words take away some of the sweetness.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A touching book that, unfortunately, is more relevant than when I first read it in 1991...

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A slice of life--very moving.

[Kalynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

How 4-year-old Janie tries to understand the time period of when her father went to war.

[Mary Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations, and a sweet, moving story about a family left behind, when father goes off to war.

[Claire Binkley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book I will admit I stared at the illustrations more than read the story. Normally I do not do that.

[Anna Hepworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, simple, heart-breaking - in a children's picture book about war and perspective.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite. Hard to understand theme and even climax and conflict. Kids enjoyed it.

[Rachel Rouleau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely over my two-year-old's head. About a dad going off to war. Prob best for ages 4+.