The World Belonged to Us
What’s inside...
Two children's book superstars join forces to celebrate the joy and freedom of summer in the city, which is gloriously captured in Jacqueline Woodson's rhythmic text and Leo Espinosa's lively art. As summer heats up, kids on a Brooklyn block embrace their freedom, enjoying activities like playing double Dutch, building forts, and chasing ice cream trucks. They revel in the belief that anything is possible, until it's time to go home for dinner—but they eagerly anticipate doing it all again the next day, ruling their world on the block.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the children in the book use their imagination to transform their surroundings?
What are some ways you would like to play outside, similar to the characters in the story?
Why do you think the title of the book is 'The World Belonged to Us'? How do the children in the story feel about their world?
Can you think of a time when you worked together with friends to create something fun or solve a problem? What did you do?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own experiences by asking them about their favorite outdoor activities and how they feel during those times.
Highlight the importance of teamwork and community in the story, discussing how working together can lead to great adventures and fun.
Use descriptive scenes from the book to inspire similar imaginative play outdoors, suggesting you recreate scenes from the book together.
After reading the story, spend some time outside playing similar games or creating new ones based on the book’s themes, to reinforce the message and make reading a dynamic, engaging experience.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Friendship
Explanation: The story showcases a group of children from diverse backgrounds coming together to create a memorable summer. It emphasizes how they cooperate and support each other despite their differences.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value and nurture friendships, understanding that cooperation and empathy are key in forming strong relationships.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: The children in the story use their imaginations to transform mundane environments into magical places, finding adventure in their urban landscape.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to use their imagination to create fun and engaging activities, showing them that they can find or create magic in their everyday surroundings.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and Leadership
Explanation: As the children organize their own summer activities, they take on various roles that require responsibility and leadership, learning to manage small projects and events.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of taking initiative and being responsible, skills that are applicable in team projects at school and other areas of life.
Example Lesson: Appreciation of Community
Explanation: The story highlights the children's interaction with their neighborhood, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand the value of being part of a community and encourages them to actively participate and contribute to their own neighborhoods.