Book Corner

For April I have chosen a slightly different book, rich in stunning photographs and information, based on the Convention on the Rights Of The Child, 'A Life Like Mine. How Children Live Around The World'. The Countries that have ratified the Convention have promised the basic items that every child needs, food, water, and somewhere to live, but to also provide each girl and boy with education and health care and to protect them from wars and from abuse and exploitation.

The book explores how these rights are met in many different countries. At the beginning of the book is a map showing pictures of the children and the countries in which they live.

The book is divided into four main headings, Survival, Development, Protection and Participation. Under each main heading are various connected sub-headings including the names of the children we meet.

In the 'Survival' Section under the sub-heading, 'Every Child Should Have Water', interesting water facts are given. It may come as no surprise to learn that a tap left running in order to clean teeth would fill a cup. It takes on a whole new perspective when one realises that for some people in the world that cup of water is a whole day's supply. Another aspect is revealed by Nou from Laos who sometimes missed school because she used to have to make many trips to the stream to collect water for her family. Happily, two years ago a pump was installed in her village making things a lot easier.

Jumping to the sub-heading 'Education' (under Development), going to school is not straightforward for millions of children. Some children living in the outback in Australia are so far away from the nearest school the only way to study is by talking to their teacher on two way radio and sending in their homework by post. In North Korea millions of children were too hungry to go to school but thanks to an aid programme that supplied food to the nursery, attendance rose from 20% to over 90%.

A wonderful reference book, packed with full colour photographs and illustrations and a wealth of information.

A Life Like Mine (Dorling Kindersley in association with UNICEF) £9.99

p.s. I bought the review copy from Oxfam in Waterlooville. They did have several other brand new copies. If you are interested in this book, you may like to purchase your copy from there too. I do not know whether this is one of the standard new books that are sold in Oxfam shops generally. If anyone reads this who is 'in the know' as it were, please let me know!

Lynn Winter