I Have the Right to Be a Child

Book excerpt: What are rights? Why do we have rights? Who has rights? Who bestows these rights? Do we need a document outlining our rights? What does it mean to have rights in the 21st century? What do rights mean to different people in different parts of the world? In 1989, world leaders decided that children needed a special convention - a legally binding international instrument - incorporating all the minimum entitlements and freedoms of all children that should be respected by governments. Drawn up by the United Nations, the Convention on the Rights of the Child comprises of 54 articles and has been signed by 193 countries. This exquisitely beautiful picture book takes the articles of the Convention and translates them into a language children can understand, in a non-preachy manner and with full-page artwork to illustrate each of these articles. Topics covered include food and water, healthcare, housing, poverty, international development, gender, race, the environment, disability, education, citizenship, family, war and freedom of speech. AGES: 6+ AUTHOR: Alain Serres was born in 1956 in Biarritz, France. He was a school teacher for thirteen years before turning his hand to publishing. In 1996 he founded the independent French publisher, Rue du Monde, of which he is still the Director. Alain has written more than eighty titles for children. Aurelia Fronty was born in born in France in 1973. After graduating from the art school of Duperre in Paris, she went on to work in fashion before turning her hand to children's illustration. She has illustrated over forty children's titles. SELLING POINTS: have the right to be a child is endorsed by Amnesty International UK and we are very pleased to be working with Amnesty in raising awareness of human rights through education. For more information about Amnesty's work, educational resources and the full Convention on the Rights of the Child (in child-friendly language) visit: www.amnesty.org.uk/education REVIEWS: "This beautifully illustrated book takes key articles of the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of the Child and presents them as deceptively simple - but open - questions that explore the nature of, necessity for, and responsibilities that must accompany our 'rights' as citizens of this planet. Every turn of the page reveals a new opportunity to explore assumptions about our entitlements as human beings, and consider the implications of turning them into a ratified treaty. For example, 'If girls and boys are different, can our rights be exactly the same?' 'Can playing be a right too?' 'How about the right to breathe clean air?' Intended to provoke both independent thought and group discussion, this slim little paperback certainly has the potential to become an immensely valuable KS2 resource - as well as being an appealing, inspiring and accessible read in its own, well, right." -Teach Primary Colour illustrations