I Am the World by Charles R. Smith, Jr. (review)

This photoessay juxtaposes full-page photographs with Smith's rhymed verse celebrating the diversity of today's children in metaphoric terms. Kids speak for themselves in metaphors that range from foods ("I am the tradition in pierogi") to fibers ("I am the thread in kente cloth") to music ("I am the rhythm in capoeira") to language ("I am hello, jambo, bonjour, zdravo. Namaste, ni hao, hola, buon giorno"), and each line of text is paired with a portrait of a child or children from the relevant culture. The metaphors are somewhat conceptual, keeping the text out for reach of much of the intended audience, and the necessity of explanation during readalouds will impair the spare eloquence of the poetry. The photography captures children from around the world set against glossy black; the more literal pairings offer some visual assistance ("I am the pleat in Highland kilts" showcases a young man wearing a kilt), while the more abstract may leave viewers pondering what exactly Smith was trying to portray. This could serve as a nice introduction for a unit on community in the primary grades, but it will likely get more action in the hands of browsers. A glossary is included.