In 1959 the ten principles which make up the Universal Rights of the Child were published. From the right to a name and a nationality and protection for handicapped children to the right of education and play, each of those principles is interpreted in a simple and colour illustrated text that can be understood by every child. (Amazon.com)

Foreward by Desmond Tutu, sponsored by UNICEF, Of all the books published to celebrate the beginning of the Millennium, this must surely be one of the most important. In November, 1989, the United Nations formally adopted fifty-four principles that make up the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child--from the right to a name and a nationality to the right to education and play and special protection for disabled children. Source: Book dust cover

WOW. Who knew there was a book based on the United Nation's articles of children's rights? These rights, formally adopted in 1989 include fifty-four main principles protecting children in myriad ways including education, protection from war and hard labor, protecting the maintaining of their culture and heritage, protection from abuse, and so many more. This book includes fifteen of those, mostly one on each page. What's so cool about this book is that each page, for each right, is from a different illustrator, so the style changes with each new statement but the consistency of fascinating art remains. ( )

It is very insightful and could be used as a great introduction to class rules or even the Bill of Rights as some are similar.

For Every Child: The United Nations Rights of the Child in Words and Pictures by Caroline Castle. Epiphany-OviedoELCA library section 9 A: Juvenile (Gr. K-5), Religion and Values. In 1989 the UN formally adopted 54 principles that make up the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, from the right to a name, a nationality and special protection for disabled children. In this wonderful book, 14 of those rights are listed and illustrated by 14 outstanding children’s book illustrators such as P. J. Lynch and Jerry Pinckney. Right #13, for example, says,”Allow us to tell you what we are thinking and feeling. Whether our voices are big or small, whether we whisper or shout it, or paint, draw, mime, or sign it – listen to us and hear what we say.” Right #31 is, “All children shall have time to play and time to rest when we are tired.”
As you read this book with your children, your understanding will be different than your child’s. With a small child, the text can be taken at face value, and you can tell your child for right #13, that you will always be ready to listen to them, their thoughts, feelings and needs. With older children you can read a right and then discuss how some children still lack that right. For example, the right to play and rest when they are tired is still not the right of every child – some work long hours for no money under conditions of servitude. Discuss with your child what you could do to extend these rights to kids in your neighborhood or at their school who are homeless, have no warm clothes for Florida cold snaps, or who have few books of their own. From such discussions can grow tremendous ideas that can be implemented. Kids come up with amazing ideas all the time and a listening adult can help them invent nifty ways to help others.
This book has a marvelous foreword by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Read this important book with your children and enjoy the varied illustrations. ( )