Barr, Stephen. If This Were the World. AG Ford, Illus. Holiday House/Neal Porter, 02/2026. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-8234-5719-9. GRADES Kindergarten–3. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
While playing outside during recess, a racially diverse group of primary graders are inspired by an orange to discuss: “what if it was the world?” They decide it is too small, and offer a ball, a tree, and other items before deciding the current Earth is the best world to share. The concept will inspire children to use their imaginations, and the cartoonish colored-pencil artwork adds energy. The text is mainly a dialogue between the students, showing a cooperative group collaboratively working on a problem. The unusual story may need repeated readings for younger children to grasp, but overall this will work well for school-age children.
Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool