You and Me Together: Moms, Dads, and Kids Around the World

by Barbara Kerley

Award-winning author Barbara Kerley has written a charming, heartwarming book about parent and child togetherness worldwide. You and Me Together is ideal for reading aloud with children to explain and reinforce the bond between moms, dads, and kids everywhere. The pages are illustrated with gorgeous imagery from National Geographic’s stunning archive, capturing the universal bond between children and parents across the cultures of our diverse world. The text takes a themed look at cultures around the world. A map shows the location of each photograph and helps the reader connect to each place. Everywhere these wonderful images take us, children and parents are seen sharing the simple activities and joys that add together to forge the universal family of mankind.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Nonfiction, Cultural, Childrens, Photography, Geography

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2005

About the author

Barbara Kerley was born in Washington, D.C. and has lived in many places, including Nepal and the tropical island of Guam. She has written about almost everything: 19th C iguanodons, Teddy Roosevelt, world peace, Mark Twain's donkey, and the pleasure of following your curiosity.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of this book is wonderful. It tells the story of what a parent and child do together throughout the day and the accompanying photographs show that this is not just one parent and one child do together, but parents and children around the world. The diversity here is just wonderful, the photographs beautiful and touching, some poignant and some charming and humorous. In the back of the book, the country and situation of each photograph/subject is explained and there is a world map to help pinpoint each country. The explanations are not nearly as thorough as those in the (superior, in my opinion) One World, One Day, but this is still an excellent book to show that parents and children love one another, even if other aspects of their daily life are different from ones own.

Unfortunately, no matter how well intentioned (or how much I may agree about the importance of the well-being of children around the globe), I did not like the way the "A note on the world's children" section, written by Marian Wright Edelman, President of the Children's Defense Fund, was presented. I would caution parents to read this first before sharing it with children as it may not be appropriate for younger kids given the sad facts presented there. It was far too preachy, in my opinion, and, I felt, unnecessary. The photographs and story are so poignant and touching, it is clear that not all children have the same access to good education, food, shelter, health and many people will feel inspired to look up ways to help simply by being touched by the work of art that is Kerley's narrative and the corresponding photographs. Instead of feeling contemplative as I did when I finished Kerley's narrative, when I closed the book after the "Message", I felt instead slightly miffed and insulted by what reminded me of a political message, saying all these terrible things out there, and that we need to fix them, and that we CAN fix them, but not giving any actual concrete examples of how to go about this and assuming that we have not thought of these things before. It read as a message for adults, as I think it was too graphic/depressing for children, and in book that seems to speak to children especially, one would wish that a message about hope and change would gave more specific examples of HOW to help, and especially how children can help other children, as was shown in the wonderful Boxes for Katje.

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

You and Me Together: Moms, Dads, and Kids Around the World is a children's picture book written by Barbara Kerley. It tells the story of what a parent and child do together throughout the day and the accompanying photographs show that this is not just one parent and one child do together, but parents and children around the world. As today is Family Day in Canada (15 February 2021), I thought it would be apropos to read this book today.

Kerley's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and lyrical. The text is simple and comfortable as the narrative tells what parents and children do on a daily basis. The photographs are from the National Geographic Archives and are all sourced and identified at the end, with a world map so eager readers can locate where each child and parent comes from.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It shares what parents and children do on a daily basis around the world from sharing many things like a joke, a mess or a meal, a ride or a dance in this lightly rhymed book to children and their parents. Not only is it utterly reassuring, but it displays its gentle wisdom in unexpected ways and full of surprises.

All in all, You and Me Together: Moms, Dads, and Kids Around the World is a wonderful collection of pictures about parents and children from around the world.

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kerley, Barbara. (2005). You and Me TOGETHER. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society.

Annotation: For children in preschool to second grade. This book brings everyday moments between children and their parents to life with its fun text and real-life photos. The text throughout the book is short and is ideal for beginning readers, while the variation in the text is a fun way to attract the reader to the words. The large colorful photos allow readers to see how children are similar and different all over the world. One photo shows a young girl in traditional Japanese clothing holding her mother’s hand; another photo shows a father and his son fishing in Brazil. At the end of the book, there is a world map and a detailed description of each photo used in the book. Additionally, there is “a note on the world’s children” which offers beneficial information to assist parents and teachers in making this book a learning experience for children.

Personal Reaction: I would love to use this book in my future classroom for story time or to introduce a lesson in diversity. Young children can interact with this book because they do these things with their parents and they will want to share stories. Furthermore, young children like to look at photos of real people, especially photos of other kids.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book of pictures of parents and children spending time together all over the world. The narrative is short and sparse and really helps to convey the simple joys of just being together, doing the everyday things that we do. The photographs are gorgeous and help to show different cultures all over the world, but it also shows that we all love our children and enjoy spending time with them. We really enjoyed reading this book together.

Note: It was late last night and our girls didn't want me to read all of the notes at the end of the book, so we skipped them and I read them on my own this morning. The captions for each picture were informative and interesting. But the letter from Marian Wright Edelman was a bit disturbing. It was all true and it's an important letter that needs to get the attention it deserves, but I don't really see that it added to the book. In fact, I think it detracted from its charm and I'm certainly glad that I didn't read it to our girls. It would have ended the book on such a depressing note, whereas we closed the book with love and happiness in our hearts.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the photographs and the way that family life around the world is presented...in just a few words but focussing on the commonalities we share. Somehow, though I think it is an important message, the note by Marian Wright Edelman seemed a little depressing...not in the spirit of the rest of the book. I agree with her comments, but just found the tone different from the words by Kerley and the amazing photographs.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter and I read this because she just celebrated World Thinking Day with her Girl Scouts troop. The pictures are beautiful and the overall message positive. However, there is a rather preachy note at the end of the book that I am glad I read alone. My particular frustration with this note at the end of the book is that it clearly calls for the action on the part of the parents reading it without providing further information as to how to help. Based on the credentials under the signature, I can not see why more information has not been provided if they were serious about making change on the level indicated in the note. This leaves me feeling a bit of a let down in regards to this book; I already do what I can to help in the world as I believe most parents out there do.

[Katie Dangle]

Title: You and Me Together: Moms, Dads, and Kids Around the World
Author: Barbara Kerley
Illustrator: Janet Dustin
Genre: Photographic Essay
Theme(s): Family, Parents, Children, Cultures, Places Around the World, Different Ways of Dressing, Working
Opening line/sentence: Here we are, together.
Brief Book Summary: This photographic essay takes the reader on a journey around the world with pictures of parents and their children together. The images range from the parents and children doing chores or working together to participating in leisure activities. The overall message of this photographic essay emphasizes the importance of family, working together, and spending time together.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Carolyn Phelan (Booklist, Apr. 15, 2005 (Vol. 101, No. 16))
Like Kerley's A Cool Drink of Water (2002), this nonfiction picture book features exceptionally fine color photos of people around the world accompanied by brief phrases of text. Read sequentially, the words form a rhythmic poem about parents and children spending time together. But the richest use of the book might be reading it spread by spread, allowing the words and pictures to spark conversation between adult and child about the world beyond their own communities. American children will recognize the pictured activities, but they will still find some surprises. For example, a pet pictured is not a puppy but a baby goat. A rake is used not for backyard leaves but for rice fields. Each picture is reproduced in postage-stamp size at the conclusion, along with notes identifying the locale and remarking on the activity pictured. In a short essay (that seems out of place given the book's young audience), Marion Wright Edelman laments the poverty, abuse, and gun violence toward the young and exhorts adults (presumably) to care for all the world's children. A visually rich resource on the commonality and diversity of the parent-child relationship around the world.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Debbie West (Children's Literature)
This former Peace Corps volunteer shows children the diversity in our world. She also shows a bond between parent and child with the few words that she uses to describe each picture of parents with their children in all parts of the world. Whether it is a boy and his father at the beach in Puerto Rico or a mother swinging with her daughters in Saudi Arabia, each photograph illustrates the need for parent and child to spend time together. One photograph features two girls waiting for their mother to finish cooking their meal in Italy, and another shows the bond between father and son as they share a tribal dance in Papua, New Guinea. A note from the president of Children s Defense Fund is included in the back of the book, urging parents to work together in order to end poverty and make a difference for the thousands of children who need homes, healthcare, and an education. This is a good book for parents to read to their children as they discuss the cultural differences of all children in the world or even in their own community.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both reviews note the images vibrant, fine colors that make them very clear for the readers’ eye. They note the author’s success in demonstrating diversity and its potential as a read-aloud with parents and their children. The reviews do a good job of expressing the easy readability and attraction this book as to readers. It is definitely a photographic essay that pictures the importance of family and understanding diversity.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The real-life images of this photographic essay depict the different cultures and ways of life around the world. The images range from covering an entire page, covering 2 whole pages, or only covering part of a page with surrounding white space. The layout of the images throughout the book is the main center of focus for the reader. There is little text on each page so the reader can focus on the pictures. The text is very large which makes it easy to see and read. Some of the words are in bold to emphasize the picture. The text also forms a rhythmic poem as the story progression making it fun to read. The bold images also help the reader connect the text to image. The author also includes pages in the back with a picture of the world and small boxes explaining each picture from the book and where the picture was taken.
Consideration of Instructional Application: I would first read this book aloud with a kindergarten or first grade classroom at the end of the day. If it were first grade I would have them read with me since the text is very short and the print is large. During the read-aloud I would flip back and forth between the page I am on and the page of the picture’s description in the back to show the students where the picture was taken and what is was about. After reading it aloud I would ask the students, “What do you do with your parents?” I would listen to some answers and make a list so the students can see a visual anchor chart. After making the anchor chart I would ask the students to bring something into class the next day for show and tell. I would ask them to bring in either a picture of their family doing an activity or an artifact that resembles something they made with their family or bought with their family. If a student does not have one of these things I would ask them to bring in something important to him or her. In the beginning of class then next day, we would share our special objects before the day starts.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all the books in the same vein of finding commonalities with children all over the world, this is one of the better ones. The photographs are stunning (National Geographic book, so, of course!) and are large and uncrowded. There is a variety of layouts, from sharing a page with the text, to full bleed on a single page, to full bleed on a two page spread. You have to refer to the last couple of pages to see an index of the photos of the book to know where each was taken, but for the visual feast that the book offers, I won’t complain too much.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated with photographs, this book is an easy read for beginning readers. It shows the diversity of people around the world yet doing activities that are similar all over the world. Would be exccellent for showing how people are different yet the same for early readers.

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pictures of families all over the world. A map in the back of the book shares the different locations of the photographs shared in the book.

Reviewed from a library copy.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful large photographs showing parents and kids doing various activities. Very simple text in large type, often only a few words on each page. Great read aloud non-fiction for story time.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photographs of families around the world. Great book to show how connected we are to each other. Families share together everywhere.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

All across the globe, families spend time together engaged in the simple pleasures of life, and this photoessay does a wonderful job of capturing those moments. Mothers and fathers may share a laugh, a musical moment, a nap, a walk, a meal, or even a prayer, and all is well, provided that they are together. The photographs are often large; for instance, a double-page spread of a mother and daughter in Kyoto, Japan, shows the girl's face, and her fingers clutching her mother's one finger, joy spread across her visage. By examining the 24 photos and reading the simple text, readers are sure to internalize the message that different as we may be, we have quite a few things in common. Back matter includes thumbnail sketches identifying the country of origin in each photograph and providing additional information as well as a map and a note from Marian Wright Edelman, president of the Children's Defense Fund, reminding readers of the need to insure that poverty, health, and girls' education remain concerns across the world even today. The book's appeal can't be doubted, and like Kerley's other wonderful books, you'll want to add it to a family text set.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A National Geographic book depicting mothers, fathers, and their children from around the world (including the US, Iceland, Saudi Arabia, China, Thailand, Bhutan, Japan, India, Uganda, Canada, Tanzania, Italy, Suriname, Indonesia, Brazil, Papua New Guinea, Guatemala, Germany, and Australia) doing ordinary things that children all over the world do, including taking a walk, holding hands, playing with a pet, playing on the swings, fishing, etc. Easy text and large color illustrations demonstrate to young children the similarities they have with other children all over the world. Includes a map and descrition of each country depicted at the end, as well as a note from Marian Wright Edelman, President of Children's Defense Fund.

[Lenae Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

You and Me Together was a great picture book that showed parents and their kids doing different activities all over the world. It showed the different activities one might do considering where they are located at in the world. The book showed pictures from different places such as Puerto Rico, New York, New Mexico, Uganda, Canada, and many more.

I thought this book was sweet. I thought the pictures of the children and their parents were good.

You could read this in your classroom any time, but especially maybe if a child's family is adopting a kid from a different country. It would show they are just like them in the fact that they like to spend time with their parents.

[Emily Petering · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very simple but touching book. The book consists of very limited words that very young children would be able to understand. The pictures bring a lot more meaning to the very limited words that are in the book. Each page has a different real-life photograph of a parent and a child throughout all different parts of the world. This book definitely brings a lot of perspective.

I would definitely use this book in my classroom. It teaches world perspective beautifully. It would also be a great book for students who struggle in reading because you can understand what the author is trying to get across simply from the pictures.

[Ashley Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a diverse book that has pictures of parents and their children doing different activities all around the world. The cultures are present as each picture displays a parent playing with their child in their own way.

I liked that it wasn't based on just one culture doing typical things like playing baseball in the front yard, but actually showed what other people in other countries do to spend time with loved ones.

I would use this in a classroom, to show the differences between our daily lives compared to those in other countries. Other than that, it would just be a good picture book to have access to in a classroom.

[Chloe Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It had great photography of families in different cultures. I think this will help give children a sense of what it might be like in other countries. I think as children we think everyone has the same situation as us. This books really illustrates the differences between people. The difference in what they wear, activities, and food. However, it also shows how we are all the same. We are children enjoying time spent together with the one we love. I really appreciated this great book.

[Elizabeth Bartos]

This book celebrates the diversity of our world while unifying all of us together based on one word...Family. The beautiful pictures depict all the many ways children spend time with their parents. The text is simple yet eloquent and delivers a heart felt message of how special family is in every culture. This book would be great to use during a social studies unit discussing cultures and the many different ways families live.

[Lin Lin]

In early childhood education programs, if we could focus on cultural universal concepts, such as food, shelter, clothing, family living, childhood, etc., children will learn to appreciate the universal and diverse features in everyday life of different people around the world. This book can be used in this effort.

[Ashley Whaley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book because it was neat to see families from around the world. Overall the pictures are what truly made the book enjoyable. Looking at the different families in their own cultural setting. I think this would be a good book to read when discussing cultures and getting to know how people are around the world.

[Daphne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Barbara Kerley and National Geographic really know how to put together a picture book for kids. This one is about families - "Moms, Dads, and Kids Around the World" - and manages to highlight both similarities and differences between family units, telling tales with beautiful photographs of adults with their children. A beautiful and moving book.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

We just got a new copy of this book in our branch. It is another good book for the summer reading program this year, it illustrates how families all over the world share the world together. It is very simple and would work to read in toddler storytime even!

[Kim Upton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book that introduces children to other cultures. The premise of the book is that we all have parents, no matter who we are, or what part of the world we in habit. The photos were captivating and stunning. Good book all around.

[babyhippoface · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific picture book from the amazing photographers of National Geographic featuring scant words alongside beautiful photos of parents and their children living their lives in areas all around the world. Just lovely. Great for PreK and Kindergarten studies of families and homes around the world.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book. The text was minimal, and the photography was great. The last page had a message from the head of the Children's Defense Fund that seemed a bit preachy for my tastes, though protecting children is a noble pursuit. All in all, it was a nice book.

[Olugbemisola Ogutuga · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book represents special moments shared between children and their families.Children participated in different activites with their families such as cooking, playing holding hands.
These activities are done by children all over the world.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It's pictures were so cute and the story was touching. Gave you a world-like awareness and so tender. Unique, sweet, and a good read for anyone. Photography is exceptional and words are simple.

[Ms. D · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a National Geographic book, so of course, there are beautiful photographs of parents and their children, from all over the world.

[Christine Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would work for storytime.