Member Reviews

Around the World in 18 Ways is a delightful educational tool for introducing children to the importance of cultural respect and linguistic diversity. By teaching key phrases in 18 languages, this book encourages young readers to connect with people from different backgrounds, fostering a sense of global understanding. It's a fantastic starting point for children to explore other languages and cultures, making it informative and fun.

Was this review helpful?

‘Around the World in 18 Ways’ by Kristin Blackwood is a delightful children's book that aims to introduce young readers to the diversity of languages and cultures around the globe. This book is an engaging and educational journey that takes children on an adventure to learn basic phrases in 18 different languages, accompanied by charming illustrations and fun facts about each culture. As someone who values multicultural education, I found this book to be a wonderful resource for sparking curiosity and appreciation for the world's linguistic diversity in children.

Plot: ★★★★☆
The plot of ‘Around the World in 18 Ways’ is simple yet effective. It follows a charming narrative where children are taken on a global adventure, learning to say common phrases like "hello" and "thank you" in various languages. Each language is introduced in a fun and engaging way, with the plot weaving these introductions into a seamless journey around the world. The structure of the book makes it easy for children to follow along and remain interested throughout the journey, making it an educational yet entertaining read.

Character: ★★★☆☆
While the book does not focus heavily on character development, the characters that are depicted are adorable and relatable for children. The primary characters are the children who embark on this linguistic adventure, and they serve as excellent conduits for young readers to engage with the material. The lack of deep character-building does not detract from the book's purpose, as the main focus is on the languages and cultures rather than individual character arcs.

Illustrations: ★★★★☆
The illustrations in ‘Around the World in 18 Ways’ are stunning and vibrant. Each page is filled with colourful and culturally relevant images that beautifully complement the text. The illustrations not only make the book visually appealing but also help to convey the essence of each culture being introduced. This visual element is crucial in keeping young readers engaged and making the learning experience enjoyable. The artwork by Kristin Blackwood truly enhances the book's appeal and educational value.

Engagement: ★★★★★
‘Around the World in 18 Ways’ excels in keeping children engaged. The concept of learning new languages is presented in a way that is both fun and interactive. The book includes pronunciation guides and fun facts, which add an extra layer of engagement. Children are likely to be captivated by the idea of being able to say simple phrases in multiple languages, and the interactive elements of the book ensure that their interest is maintained throughout the reading experience.

Readability: ★★★☆☆
The readability of the book is generally good, though it can be a bit challenging due to its multilingual nature. The pronunciation guides are helpful but can be slightly different from how some readers might have learned certain languages. However, the text is clear and straightforward, making it accessible for young readers with some adult guidance. The multilingual aspect, while educational, may require some assistance from parents or teachers to ensure correct pronunciation and understanding.

Enjoyment: ★★★★☆
‘Around the World in 18 Ways’ is a highly enjoyable read, particularly for children who are curious about the world and different cultures. The book's educational content is presented in a way that is both fun and engaging, ensuring that children will not only learn but also enjoy the process. The excitement of learning new languages, combined with the beautiful illustrations and interactive elements, makes this book a hit among young readers. It is a great tool for parents and educators to introduce children to the wonders of linguistic diversity.

‘Around the World in 18 Ways’ by Kristin Blackwood is a delightful and educational book that takes children on a global adventure through language. With its engaging plot, adorable characters, stunning illustrations, and interactive elements, it successfully captures the interest of young readers. While the multilingual nature may present some readability challenges, the overall experience is highly enjoyable and informative. This book is an excellent resource for introducing children to the beauty of different cultures and languages, making it a valuable addition to any child's library.

Was this review helpful?

The title of this book is quite misleading. I don't really understand why it is even titled that. The majority of the book shows different ways of saying four basic words in 18 different languages: hello, goodbye, please and thank you. It seemed.. weird. And a bit of a waste.
I much rather enjoyed the final few pages that included the logbook of the main characters travels throughout the globe. I feel like that should have taken up the majority of the space in the book and then the different translations of the beforementioned words could have taken up space in the end, if the author had still wanted to include it.

Was this review helpful?

What a wonderful read i have! Read along and learn some polite ways to interact with people from all over the world with your kids. Its a must have and must read book. Should keep it in your bookshelves for references in case you are going to travel around the world! Love the illustration inside.

Was this review helpful?

I expected something different, but this was a cute book. The "18 ways" are actually 18 languages, and the theory here is that when you travel you should know how to say hello, goodbye, please, and thank you. As someone who has traveled to several countries, I did find that people were more kind and welcoming when I could offer such basic courtesies.
The pictures are bright and fun, and the book has a high energy level. The back of the book has a completely unrealistic travel schedule so you can visit all the places portrayed.
I also like that all the profits for this book go to help individuals with MS.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

Was this review helpful?

Around the World in 18 Ways is a cute introduction to 18 different languages. The book journeys through Europe, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and US. For each stop on the journey, the reader learns the words for Hello, Please, Thank you, and Goodbye for each of the languages. This book is a great introduction to world languages for your little one!

Was this review helpful?

I thought this book might have more content but it is literally four words in 18 languages. Pictorial, could be good for kids.

Was this review helpful?

I received a copy of this eBook in exchange for an honest review.

This book has adorable illustrations and goes over how to say hello, please, thank you and goodbye in 18 different languages. The back facts were a little too little at the end for this to seem like a real travel book and the travel times seem off if you were actually going to travel to these 18 countries in this order but it's a cute introduction to languages.

Was this review helpful?

This was a cute fun, fast read! My kids and I really enjoyed it! We learned so much from our living room!

Was this review helpful?

A well illustrated book that teachers 4 key words (Hello, Please, Thank You, & Goodbye) in 18 different languages so that you are able to be polite in communication while traveling to other countries.

Was this review helpful?

Whimsical, colorful, engaging artwork accompanies basic expressions one needs when traveling to foreign countries. A great idea to spark a child's interest in other cultures. Let's have a sequel with more languages.

Was this review helpful?

It was cute but nothing unique. Nothing I would choose over other books similar to this one. It's a very over saturated market.

Was this review helpful?

Around the World in 18 Ways is a lovely way to introduce the idea of different places, different people, and different languages to young kids. It's a really cute way to take your child(ren) to different places through colorful and exciting pictures. I like the illustrations of the different countries with pictures of places and things that are typical of different cultures. Diversity is important in our global world, and this is one more way to introduce our kids to differences in the world. Loved it!

[Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to review this eARC in exchange for my honest review on the book!]

Was this review helpful?

Whether you and your children travel abroad or simply venture out for a day trip, these key words could be your ticket to (politely) engaging with people from another culture. Follow a map around the world as you learn to say “hello,” “goodbye,” “please,” and “thank you” in 18 different languages.

Around the World in 18 Ways presents a simple, yet important concept in an easy-to-grasp manner for both kids and grownups alike. Readers of all ages will benefit from this basic lesson on social greetings as they learn how to show respect for the social customs of these unique countries.

Each spread highlights one language with these four phrases folded neatly into matching illustrations. It’s fun to view each of the words written in their own alphabet, making it a great jumping-off point for teaching children about other cultures.

This book is also a perfect conversation starter for young kids seeking to bridge the gap between their cultural differences. A travel journal, included in the back of the book, will help further their education with fun facts that expand on this otherwise basic introduction to the world.

Was this review helpful?

The illustrations in this book are beautiful and vibrant, bringing each country and its culture to life on the page. The writing is clear and accessible, making it easy for young readers to understand and engage with the material.

What I love most about Around the World in 18 Ways is how it celebrates diversity and promotes understanding and empathy for other cultures. It is a wonderful resource for parents, teachers, and children who want to learn more about the world and the people who live in it.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Was this review helpful?

Around the World in 18 Days is a delightful children's book that showcases the beauty of cultural diversity. The book takes readers on a journey across the globe, exploring different countries and highlighting the unique characteristics of each location.

One of the standout features of this book is its beautiful illustrations. They are vibrant and colorful, capturing the essence of each country that is visited in the book. I also appreciated the diverse range of languages featured, which added an extra layer of authenticity and cultural richness to the story.

Overall, Around the World in 18 Days is a fantastic book that celebrates the beauty and diversity of cultures around the world. It's a great resource for parents and educators who want to expose their children to different cultures and teach them about the importance of empathy and understanding. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an engaging and educational children's book. Five stars.

Was this review helpful?

This is a very simple look into 18 different places in the world. It focuses on basic phrases in each language like Hello, Please, Thank You, and Goodbye..

Learning words in the different languages is simple for the kiddos, but it would have been nice to have more information about each place. The only information about the locations is a few snippets at the end.

The pictures are colorful and pleasing. This is a simple book for real young readers with its bright pictures. Older readers like my kids, would have loved some more facts about the places.

Thank you to Vanita Books and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This is a great book to teach children how to say please, thank you, hello and goodbye in 18 different languages.From English to French to Creole to Swahili. This book is sure to engage your child into the world of language. I also like the fact it has a travel journal in the back with some information on the places where the languages originate. I found the book illustrations to be very appealing and fun to look at. I highly recommend this book to ages 3-6.

Was this review helpful?

My Quick Thoughts: A wonderful way to take a virtual vacation!! Travel around the world using this sweet informative read, and learn how to say four much-needed friendly phrases in 18 different languages. Fun and colorful illustrations give additional glimpses into each featured country; I love that we have a look at some iconic locations (like the Statue of Liberty or the Eiffel Tower), colorful costumes and other recognizable symbols (like the kangaroo, or the dragon, and so many more). Backmatter includes a brief description about the countries (numbered for easy reference).

So once again bonjour dear readers! Palun pick up this book today, and you can say gracias later.. Kwa heri until then!

Source: Digital review copy from NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

An utter delight. It is super quick to go through but has hello, goodbye, thank you and please in 18 different languages. I has how to pronounce them and how they look in that language. The pictures are adorable. The book was a joy to go through!

Was this review helpful?