This Is The Planet Where I Live by author K.L. Going and author- illustrator Debra Frasier is a treat for the eyes and the ears. The story skips along to the rhythm of This Is the House That Jack Built. Here the reader first hears “This is the planet where I live”. On the next page the line grows into “Here are the people who share the planet where I live.” This structure accumulates references about the homes, the fields, the animals, the insects, the birds, the trees, the clouds that are on this planet where we all live.
The storyline states that the planet and all its beautiful characteristics need to be honored and taken good care of as part of the exquisite whole. K. L. Going’s text is well written, and children will enjoy speaking it aloud.
Debra Frasier’s illustrations are unique. She uses a photo collage technique that allows the rich details to come forth gorgeously on each page. The illustration that accompanies the words, “Animals, fields, shelter for friends, every creature alive on each other depends—” is powerful.
Children will be amazed at the number of very different types of houses we all live in and the various kinds of food we all grow. The sun and the moon can be seen throughout guarding the entire wonderful planet.
This Is The Planet Where I Live written by K. L. Going and illustrated by Debra Frasier is a truly fascinating and beautiful book for readers 4-8 years of age (Beach Lane Books/ Simon and Schuster) 2023.
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Activity Questions for This Is the Planet Where I Live
For younger children: The pictures in this book are filled with beautiful details. Look at the picture of the Earth on the front cover. (This same illustration can also be seen toward the end of the story). Try to find the following: a zebra, a tomato, a shark, a pig, a butterfly, a rabbit, a red pepper, a white daisy, a yellow bird, and a turtle. The turtle is hard to find but it is there. Older siblings can help.
For older children: The mood of the words in this book follows the repetitive and accumulative mood of the song entitled This is the House that Jack Built. Gather your family around and sing the song out loud by following the rhythm of This is the House that Jack Built and the words in this book. Have fun!
For older children: What do you think the author and illustrator want you to understand by the end of this book? What is your favorite illustration and why? What role do the sun and the moon play in this story?
