Rating: ***** 5 stars

Kathryn Cave,
W is for World.
Frances Lincoln with Oxfam, 1999

We think of alphabet books as being for the very young but this one would both delight and inform children up to about eight years. A large number of countries across continents are included and the daily life of different adults and children is brought to life by a clear interesting text and photographs of exceptional quality. The author and publisher acknowledge the expertise of Oxfam which helped inform the book. There is a clear message: with the support, people can achieve basic rights to shelter, food, water, healthcare and education. While showing what is distinctive about each part of the world, the book also celebrates what brings us together - an appreciation of natural phenomena whether trees, desert or rivers, of the necessities of life - clothes, food and homes, and of the families and friends that give our lives point and meaning - grandparents, visitors and workmates.

It would be hard to improve on the format and presentation. Each page has the letter of the alphabet clearly in upper and lower case, a large print explanation of the item or concept and smaller extending writing to link with the illustration. The book has clear potential for the Literacy Hour but deserves more than use as an alphabet or geography book. It is a warm and human journey helping young readers understand the joys and difficulties of people in different countries and circumstances.

Margaret Mallett