Everyone’s Birthday: A Kid’s Adventure in Thailand by Marc Kielburger

Stars: ★★★★★

Me to We (2012)
Children’s Nonfiction

Summary: Marc Kielburger, co-founder of Free the Children and Me to We has written his first children’s book based on his first overseas trip to Thailand when he was young and he shares the story of a special birthday celebration that changed his life.

First let me just say, this is not just another book about life in another country. This true story explains to children what poverty is and how one person can make a difference, no matter how big the problem may seem.

The story is amazing and the illustrations by Marisa Antonello and Victoria Laidley are bright, fun and detailed. It starts with a young Marc talking to his mentor when he is asked what kind of person he wants to be. He isn’t sure but knows he wants to help people and his mentor sends him to a poor town in Thailand where he learns a lesson and has a memorable time.

I read this story to my girls ages six and five and we had to keep stopping to explain words (but that’s a good thing, it means they are learning!) I also explained the difference between fiction and nonfiction (I’d mentioned it before but you have to say things a few times before children really absorb it.) After the book I asked if they understood the book and we went over the parts they weren’t clear on. This is how I recommend reading nonfiction with your young child.

You can see inside some of the book to see what I mean.

About the Author:
Today, Marc Kielburger and his brother Craig dedicate their lives to Free the Children which is now the world’s largest network of children helping children through education. Marc also co-founded Me to We, an innovative social enterprise that provides people better choices for a better world, donating half of its net profit to Free the Children. Marc has written six books, including a New York Times bestseller, Me to We: Finding Meaning in a Material World.

For every Me to We book purchased, a notebook will be donated to a child in a developing country.

*I received a copy of this book for review purposes.