The world is vast and overwhelming, especially for children. But by taking a closer look at different people and cultures, kids come to realize that some common universalities unite us all. A charming and informative photo-illustrated work sheds light on the value of service learning, while literacy advocate Tererai Trent describes her childhood in Zimbabwe and her struggle to obtain an education. And read all about two very distinctive circuses that not only feature jugglers and tight-rope walkers: they bring different cultures together.

Ancona, George. Can We Help?: Kids Volunteering to Help Their Communities. photos by George Ancona. 48p. Candlewick. Aug. 2015. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780763673673. LC 2014951417.

Gr 1-4 –With service learning projects in elementary schools on the rise, this title would be a good one to share with children who are considering the options. Through beautifully crisp and colorful photographs and explanatory narrative, Ancona shares a variety of endeavors that children have undertaken in his Southwestern community, such as knitting hats for homeless people; sorting, packing, and delivering food for a food bank; picking up trash; and mentoring younger students. The kids’ determination, passion, and commitment comes through in the photos, while the text explains what they are doing in accessible but not overly simple descriptions. Teachers looking to begin a service project might want to start here as a way to introduce the topic and inspire children to think of the possibilities. This title could also be used as a model/mentor text for creating a classroom book to document children’s projects VERDICT A good choice for schools, scouts, and local groups looking to foster community service.–Maggie Chase, Boise State University, ID

Levinson, Cynthia. Watch Out for Flying Kids!: How Two Circuses, Two Countries, and Nine Kids Confront Conflict and Build Community. 224p. index. photos. Peachtree. Aug. 2015. Tr $22.95. ISBN 9781561458219. LC 2014018539.

Gr 5-8 –Levinson brings together the story of nine young people of different backgrounds, religions, races, and socioeconomic status who all share a common love—the circus. Circus Harmony in St. Louis, MO—a city known for its racial turbulence—is made up of both black and white and inner-city and suburban youth. Readers meet Kellin Quinn Hentoff-Killian, who has been around the circus since he was an infant and who mastered the art of juggling as a toddler while watching his older siblings. Kellin’s mother, Jessica Hentoff, is the artistic and executive director of Circus Harmony, a nonprofit that teaches kids circus skills with the goal of encouraging them to learn cooperation, develop perseverance, and meet and befriend those from different backgrounds. The book also focuses on the Galilee Circus in Israel, directed by Marc Rosenstein and one of the few places in the country where Arab and Jewish youth could come together. Hentoff and Rosenstein decided that these two cultural ambassador circuses should meet. With sidebars and easy-to-read short vignettes, this book nevertheless packs in a lot of information. The accompanying photos break up the dense text, but readers may prefer to approach the book in small doses. More inspiring than investigative, this title may find more of an audience among adults looking for ways to motivate youth. VERDICT Suitable for larger libraries with multicultural or inspirational collections.–Carol Connor, Cincinnati Public Schools, OH

Trent, Tererai. The Girl Who Buried Her Dreams in a Can: A True Story. illus. by Jan Spivey Gilchrist. 40p. ebook available. photos. Viking. Oct. 2015. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780670016549.

K-Gr 3 –Trent, who is now changing lives by advocating for the importance of literacy and education, tells the story of her childhood in Zimbabwe in this eye-catching picture book. Though girls in her village were prevented from attending school because they were needed to cook, clean, and fetch water, as a child, Trent (unnamed in the story) thirsted for an education. Her grandmother acknowledged the need for “a young woman to be our eyes, to read and write for us,” and her brother secretly taught her to read and write. The text sketches out traditional life through small details that are lyrically described. Soft watercolor paintings across spreads make Shona village life accessible enough for both group and individual use, depicting the author reading to her grazing cattle, attending school with her brother, and growing up and sending her own children to school. Eventually, with the support of the entire village, Trent achieved her dream of traveling to America, successfully earning multiple degrees, and establishing a foundation to improve the lives of children in rural Africa. In her author’s note, Trent explains how school and books showed her another world, “a magical place where malnutrition and violence were not part of daily reality.”Compare and contrast with Suneby Razia’s Ray of Hope: One Girl’s Dream of an Education (Kids Can, 2013) and Jeanette Winter’s Malala, a Brave Girl from Pakistan/Iqbal, a Brave Boy from Pakistan: Two Stories of Bravery (S.&S., 2014) for other picture books that address the struggle to ensure that girls receive an education. VERDICT A wonderful selection for discussing the importance of education.–Toby Rajput, National Louis University, Skokie, IL