First Day Around the World
Ibi Zoboi author Juanita Londono illustrator
Format:Hardback
Publisher:HarperCollins Publishers Inc
Publishing:17th Jul '25
£12.99
This title is due to be published on 17th July, and will be despatched as soon as possible.

From award-winning, New York Times bestselling author Ibi Zoboi and artist Juanita Londoño, this lyrical celebration of the first day of school across every continent explores what going back to school looks like for children in countries around the world!
How do children around the world spend their first day of school?
Some eat warm akara for breakfast in Nigeria, while others unwrap lunches of kluski in Poland. In China, they practice intricate characters in special notebooks, and in Argentina, they learn each other's names in a sing-song memory game. No matter where in the world, every student has something new to look forward to on their first day!
From Ethiopia to Germany to India to Brazil, this lyrical text introduces young readers to the breakfast-to-bedtime routines, cultures, and landscapes that connect people across all continents.
PRAISE FOR THE PEOPLE REMEMBER: “[Ibi and Loveis’s] collaboration focuses on Black resilience, a cultural inheritance powerful enough to break the curse of generational trauma. Guided by the seven principles of Kwanzaa, Zoboi’s narrative explores both the burden and the strength of collective consciousness…. The image and the words work in harmony to emphasize the limitless potential of the human spirit.” — New York Times Book Review PRAISE FOR THE PEOPLE REMEMBER: “This immaculately illustrated picture book walks through a vast swath of history… Zoboi’s poetic retrospective breathes life into Black history narratives and reverently celebrates Black lives.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) PRAISE FOR THE PEOPLE REMEMBER: “Zoboi employs magnetic, allusive free verse to describe the course of history as experienced by members of the African diaspora and enslaved African peoples…. Zoboi’s lyrical verse is further strengthened by Wise’s eye-catching digital illustrations, composed of lushly colored images realistic and fantastical, historical and contemporary, and painted with spectacular vibrance to portray the experience of African and African American people throughout time. A rich resource ideal for Kwanzaa and beyond.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) PRAISE FOR THE PEOPLE REMEMBER: “Zoboi and Wise beautifully ‘sew together a tapestry of / their stories / one fine quilt / a blanket for the children / to keep them warm, protected, and safe.’ Each brightly colored spread tells of important moments and people in African American history.…Wise’s sumptuous digital illustrations are reminiscent of the patches created by African American quilters to remind future generations of their past.” — Horn Book (starred review) PRAISE FOR THE PEOPLE REMEMBER: “In lyrical verses with a smoothly rolling, sonorous quality… Zoboi’s poem is a master class in conciseness, expertly evoking powerful images, concepts, and emotions out of just a handful of words, particularly when paired with Wise’s exultant art, and the robust back matter offers even more context and nuance. A must-have for holiday collections, but let its light shine throughout the rest of the year, too.” — ALA Booklist (starred review) PRAISE FOR THE PEOPLE REMEMBER: “Zoboi’s gorgeous prose illuminates… and Wise’s illustrations highlight the beauty of African American culture. Their color palette takes readers on an emotional journey that is also a brilliant blend of poetry, African, and African American history. Zoboi skillfully weaves together the narratives of enslaved Africans into a wonderful tapestry that is honest and beautiful. Perfect for school and public libraries, this must-have offering celebrates African American cultural identity should be included in all collections.” — School Library Journal (starred review) PRAISE FOR THE PEOPLE REMEMBER: “An exquisite gift book that every member of the family will appreciate.” — BookPage
ISBN: 9780063078888
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 454g
48 pages