Owlkids Books | 978-1771473071

In a world where it it can seem like the loudest voices are those that seek to separate and divide us from one another, the truth is that no matter who we are or where we live, we all have the same basic needs and share much in common  – to feel loved and protected, to have food and shelter, and to be surrounded by family, friends, and community.

SAME HERE! The Differences We Share by Susan Hughes and Sophie Casson is about exactly this and more. Organized by topics such as “We All Need to Communicate” and “We All Need to Dream” each section introduces readers to children in different parts of the world. In  “We All Need to Play: What Do You Do for Fun?“, the section begins:

My name is Adowa, and I love cooking with my mom and playing with my friends.

Most mornings, before school, I help get the food ready for our supper. It’s too hot to cook later in the day….

After school, my friends and I go straight home to do chores. But we always try to finish quickly so we can have time to play outside before supper. I love playing with my friends. 

Gorgeous illustrations by Sophie Casson show Adowa working outdoors over a cookfire at home in Ghana. Turn the page and readers learn more about the things a child from Brazil, Russia, and Spain like to do in their free time (skateboard, listen to music, play chess with grandma, take coding classes).

© text by Susan Hughes and ills. by Sophie Casson

Based on extensive research (with backmatter that includes a list of selected sources as well as books for further reading,) SAME HERE! The Differences We Share is ideal for middle grade readers (and younger readers, too!) interested in accessible informational text that provides snapshots about customs and cultures around the world.

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Enjoy this interview with the author and illustrator on “Creator Corner.”

Read this interview on Tara Lazar’s blog.

Learn more about Susan Hughes and another recent (nonfiction) picture books about Gaudi and Casa Batlló: