The World from Here

The World from Here by Cassy Polimeni & Mel Armstrong (CSIRO) JF RRP $26.99 ISBN 9781486319855

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Cassy Polimeni is a children’s author and freelance editor whose stories celebrate nature and the environment. Her books, including The Garden at the End of the World, Ella and the Amazing Frog Orchestra, and Ella and the Sleepover Safari, have been awarded CBCA Notables and the Environment Award for Children’s Literature.

Mel Armstrong is an artist and illustrator from Wellington, New Zealand. She blends digital and traditional techniques drawing inspiration from nature and her home life. She crafts distinctive children’s books and has illustrated over 15 children’s books.

Milo lies on the grass watching cumulus clouds transform into animals. Maya looks out a plane window and marvels at the sky outside and the shapes the countries make below. Milo and Maya remind us that there are countless ways to experience our world.

Cassy Polimeni has beautifully combined storytelling with scientific principles that explore our natural world. A dual story line explores Maya looking down from above the clouds in a plane and Milo lying on the grass, gazing up at the clouds. Readers are naturally and easily introduced to nephology (study of clouds), the basics of weather and meteorology, formation of Earths continents, star constellations and the little wonders of nature. Polimeni has masterfully woven together a picture book narrative with scientific information that feels very easy and natural for a child to read. It is not very often that you see a narrative and scientific information blend together so seamlessly and Polimeni makes it look easy. The storyline sequencing is well done, and the parallel scientific information appears in little speech bubbles.

A child can read the whole story first or travel through the book absorbing both sets of information. The book is layered with meaning so a younger or older child can both enjoy the same book. Polimeni plays to child curiosity and intelligence. The vocabulary used is descriptive and both simple and complex. Children are not only encouraged to look at our world differently but also intelligently by exploring the science of our world and natural wonders.  Wonder is all around. The endpapers and glossary are important to this book and are well done.

Mel Armstrong’s illustrations are joyful, bright and full of life. The endpapers lead in and end with soft clouds which is perfect for this book. What I love most about Armstrong’s illustrations is the playfulness and the way she has captured both the wonder and curiosity of Milo and Maya. Perspective changes as the narrative does and it works beautifully with all the cloud play and labelling. Her use of colour shows a distinct difference between looking down or up. I love how when the ground comes into play the plane still appears connecting the two views. The visual labelling is very easy to see and understand and white space is used well. The detail is lovely and draws the eye to places to seek both visual and written information.

The World from Here is quite a magical scientific picture book that is perfect for any curious child. To get more out of this book there are perfectly aligned teaching notes which are great for teachers and librarians using this book. I think what I love most about this book is its bright happy positivity about our world. Reading levels vary but this book is recommended for ages 5-9.