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On Our Street: Our First Talk About Poverty (The World Around Us, 1) Hardcover – Picture Book, February 13, 2018

by Dr. Jillian Roberts (Author), Jaime Casap (Author), Jane Heinrichs (Illustrator)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 54 ratings
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The World Around Us series introduces children to complex cultural, social and environmental issues that they may encounter outside their homes, in a way that is accessible. Sidebars offer further reading for older children or care providers who have bigger questions. For younger children just starting to make these observations, the simple question-and-answer format of the main text will provide a foundation of knowledge on the subject matter.

A gentle introduction to the issue of poverty, On Our Street explores the realities of people living with inadequate resources. Using age-appropriate language, this book addresses mental illness, homelessness and refugee status as they are connected to this issue. Insightful quotes from individuals and organizations such as UNICEF are included throughout to add further perspective on the issue. An invaluable section on how kids can help empowers readers to take what they have learned and use it to make a difference.

Child psychologist Dr. Jillian Roberts created this series to guide parents/caregivers through conversations about difficult issues in a reassuring and hopeful manner and help children understand their expanding awareness of the world around them.
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  1. Reading age
    6 - 8 years
  2. Book 1 of 6
    The World Around Us
  3. Print length
    32 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Grade level
    1 - 3
  6. Lexile measure
    NC1000L
  7. Dimensions
    10 x 0.44 x 8.5 inches
  8. Publisher
    Orca Book Publishers
  9. Publication date
    February 13, 2018
  10. ISBN-10
    145981617X
  11. ISBN-13
    978-1459816176
  12. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 1–4—The creators use a question-and-answer format to address common beliefs and misconceptions surrounding people who are homeless. Illustrated children ask one another questions, such as "Why would he sleep outside?" and "How can I help children who are homeless or unsafe?," which are then answered in a paragraph format. The text covers each topic at a measured pace and uses a gentle tone. The book emphasizes the belief that "It's okay to ask questions when you do not understand the way another person is living." Watercolor artwork of kids talking and working together appears alongside photographs of adults and children in various stages of homelessness. The photos are key in reinforcing that this social issue effects people of all ethnicities, races, and age groups, including children. The text acknowledges that homeslessness is only one type of poverty—those who can't attend school regularly or visit a doctor are at-risk in a different way. VERDICT Though poverty is a hard-hitting topic, the authors handle it in a sensitive manner. Consider for one-on-one and group discussions.—Jessica Bushore, Xenia, OH

Review

"This timely book is a brief invitation to children to wonder and to ask questions…The layout of On Our Street is inviting: double spreads for each question, with large clear font and generous space allocated to photos and drawings…This book will be a terrific catalyst for parents and teachers to open kids' eyes to the realities of their day-to-day world and to encourage them to share personal experiences…It may never be too soon to begin to learn about these complex issues. And whenever they are ready, On Our Street, part of 'The World Around Us' series, will be a fine first step toward enhancing that understanding. Highly Recommended." ― CM Magazine

"The writing is clear and accurate. A positive attempt at a difficult subject, this book will be most useful in situations where caring adults can help children understand and work through their feelings about the topic." ― Kirkus Reviews

"This straightforward, gentle entry in the World around Us series does a good job of explaining those concepts to a young audience in terms they can understand…This is a useful starting point for conversations about an important topic." ― Booklist

"This is a frank yet sensitive introduction to the issues of homelessness…Colour photographs offer a humanizing and diverse representation of poverty. Realistic watercolour illustrations featuring two girls and a boy throughout the book and provide a sense of continuity." ― Quill & Quire

"This is a unique and essential book where hard questions are answered in a clear straightforward way." ― Youth Services Book Review

"An important addition to the school or public library collection. Recommended." ― School Library Connection

"A sensitive and thoughtful approach to a difficult subject, this book offers parents and teachers an opportunity to encourage kids to think more deeply about how we can make our world a better place for everyone. " ― Canadian Children's Booknews

“Purposeful, accessible text.” ― The Horn Book Online

“Offers us a world of understanding and, once again, reveals the delicacy and strength of the written word.” ― CSP Book Blog

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Orca Book Publishers; Illustrated edition (February 13, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 145981617X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1459816176
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 6 - 8 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ NC1000L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 1 - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10 x 0.44 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 54 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Jane Heinrichs

    Jane Heinrichs

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Jane Heinrichs is a children’s book writer and illustrator. She starts her day at a clear desk with her huge sketchbook (for books) and her tiny sketchbook (for daily drawings), but usually ends up sitting on the floor surrounded by a collection of paints, pencils, and papers. She was born in Africa, grew up in Manitoba, and moved to England to study fine art at a postgraduate level. She has a BA in Art History and Classics from the University of Manitoba, an MA in Art History from the Courtauld Institute of Art, and an MA in Illustration from the Camberwell College of Art. She lives in the UK with her husband and daughter. She loves gardening, reading, and eating huge chocolate sundaes very slowly. For more information, you can explore her website at: www.janeheinrichs.com

    See more on the author's page
  2. Dr. Jillian Roberts

    Dr. Jillian Roberts

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Dr. Jillian Roberts is a child psychologist, professor and mother of 3. She is the author of two best-selling and award-winning series of children’s books that explain tough topics to kids: “Just Enough” for children ages 3-6 and “The World Around Us” for ages 5-8. She is also the author of “Kids, Sex & Screens: Raising Strong, Resilient Children in the Sexualized Digital Age” for the parents of preteens. Her latest titles include "My Promise" and "Calm" and these were written to strengthen the parent-child bond and to promote child resiliency.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
54 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for kids
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2020
Verified Purchase
Explains a difficult topic in a way thats factual but not scary
One person found this helpful
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PattyMacDotComma
5.0 out of 5 stars First-rate! Introducing kids to reasons for poverty and homelessness and how to help. No blame and no politics!
Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2018
5★
“When you venture out into the world around us, you may notice things that are new to you. The world is filled with unique people, who live in a variety of different ways. Sometimes people are happy in these different situations, and sometimes they are not. It’s okay to ask questions when you do not understand the way another person is living.”

Roberts is an educator and Casap is Google’s Global Education Evangelist. He’s the man who said: “Don’t ask kids what they want to be when they grow up; ask them what problem they want to solve.”

Because he said that, Roberts tracked him down and asked him to collaborate on a book to introduce and explain poverty to children. This is a wonderfully illustrated picture book that shows what homelessness is and includes photographs of real people sleeping on real streets. There are tents, there are people outside a busted-down building.

There’s nothing too grimy or confronting, but it’s real. There’s a man asleep, surrounded by his belongings, so a child asks why he’d do that. In amongst it all are sketches of other people and places, enough to trigger a lot of questions.

The book says there are many reasons that people might not have a home, or if they do, it isn’t a safe place to be. We are told about natural disasters (a photo of a flooded town), wars and abusive families.

“Are homeless people the only ones who live in poverty?’

“No, being homeless is only one kind of poverty. There are other kinds of poverty that are harder to see, like when people are not able to go to school or to the doctor.”

We’re told that many children grow up not able to get an education.

“‘Poverty is not simply measured by inadequate income. It is manifested in restricted access to health, education and other essential services and, too often, by the denial or abuse of other fundamental human rights…’
—Ban Ki-moon, former UN Secretary-General

The authors explain what essential services are and what human rights are, with relevant quotations in coloured text boxes in the margins.

“What can we do to help people who live in poverty?”

In line with Casap’s philosophy of education, there are many suggestions for ways to help solve the problems.

“One of the most important things you can do is care.”

Ideas range from giving someone a sandwich to helping with a food collection drive, keeping an eye on kids at school who seem troubled, finding a teacher or coach or religious leader who might help, getting to know the newcomers in your neighbourhood. I loved the phrase saying to donate "gently used clothing""

There’s an explanation of how people can’t afford to go to the doctor or may be so new to the place that they don’t know the language or where to ask for help. Get to know your neighbours and find out if any of them are newcomers who need advice or directions.

We learn what refugees are and something about what war is but just enough to create empathy but not so much as to create fear.

All in all, this is a wonderful way to initiate discussions not only with kids but with their families and teachers. And if it helps you decide what problems YOU want to solve when you grow up, all the better! :)

Wonderful idea. Kudos to the authors and thanks to NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers for a great effort.

Another one that all schools and libraries should add!
6 people found this helpful
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Maria Beadnell
4.0 out of 5 stars Really good but zooms past the obvious
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2023
OK, yes, it is compassionate, talks about the previously unspeakable.

But as I was a poor kid who used the library a lot, I would have felt very othered by this book.

The authors speak as if they are talking to rich people, "What YOU can do to help others in poverty."

What if the reader IS the person in poverty?

We have to just wait to get saved, I guess.
5 people found this helpful
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Becky B.
4.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic resource on introducing poverty, homelessness, refugees, and human rights to kids
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2018
Breaks down for kids what poverty is and what homelessness is, and many factors that can contribute to a person winding up in those positions. Includes lots of ideas of how kids can get involved practically (and safely) and links to organizations with further information on poverty, homelessness, and refugees.

I thought this did a great job of breaking things down for kids, explaining it in terms they can understand, keeping the dignity of others, and also realizing that these are complex issues with no easy solutions. It also touches on fundamental human rights and factors that can cause someone to become a refugee as well. In all, a tactful and respectful look at poverty for kids. Definitely read the authors' notes in the back, especially Jaime Casap and his experience with poverty as a child. A handy resource for families or schools.
2 people found this helpful
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