This Is How We Do It

This Is How We Do It

Children's nonfiction
When you were younger did you wonder about the lives of peers
around the world? I did. Actually I still do. That's one of the
reasons I'm such a voracious reader.
Matt Lamothe's This Is How We Do It describes a typical day in
the lives of children in Iran, Italy, India, Japan, Peru, Uganda, and
Russia. You can see with their families on the last two page spread.
The book is organized around a series of questions children would ask
such as:
* What do they eat?
*What do they wear?
*How do they play?
*How do they help their families?
The format allows for compare and contrast.
The pictures beautifully extend the ideas of the text and raise
questions. There is a wide range in the school pictures--from
computers and many learning accessories (Italy) to pencils and paper
(Uganda). Why? There are no girls in the Uganda and Iran
classrooms. Where could they be? Why does the Uganda child sleep
under a mosquito net?
I love that only one child is seen watching tv in the evening
activities section. The others are happily engaged with family members.
I think that This Is How We Do It is a most excellent
acquisition for school and public libraries.
On a personal note, I had a great New Year's Eve. I made Eugene
and me a really nice supper with his favorite molasses cake (made from
scratch) for dessert. I put on my new Christmas cat one piece pajamas
which are as comfy as they are gorgeous. I read the book Katie gave
me for Christmas, A Spark Of Light by Jodi Puccoult, one of our
favorite authors, near the lovely tree with Joey cat purring on my lap
and plenty of candy. 2018 was one of the most momentous years of my
life. I got accepted into the graduate program of my dreams and
discovered that it was even more amazing than I'd dreamed it would
be. I found the job of my dreams in dining services. Not only did it
allow me to earn money for tuition, fees, and books, but it provided
me with work I love, people who are like a family to me, and the one
place I could feel competent and secure when the challenge of learning
to use a computer while I was required to use it to produce content
(sorta like learning in a second language) had me wondering if I could
succeed in my field of study. I feel like it was a transition year
and 2019 will be a building year. So my three modest resolutions are:
(1) Work dilligently in school and continue building computer skills;
(2) work dilligently on the job and continue to learn workplace
skills; and (3) work on that elusive school/work/social life balance.
A great big shout out goes out to all who helped make my 2018 so
amazing and blessed.
jules hathaway


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