This Is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids from around the World: Summary & Key Insights

I begin the story by introducing seven children, each representing their home and culture: from Italy’s rolling hills to Japan’s compact cities, from Iran’s desert towns to the bustling streets of India, from Peru’s mountainous villages to Uganda’s green countryside, and finally to Russia’s snow-dusted communities. Each child’s introduction is personal—they tell us their name, where they live, who makes up their family, and what their home looks like.

This opening section sets the foundation for connection. The illustrations depict subtle differences—the shapes of houses, the colors of streets, the clothes they wear—but I guide the reader gently to notice that every child has the same morning sun waiting beyond the window. Their smiles, the way they speak about their parents or siblings, reveal love that feels universal. I wanted every reader to recognize themselves somewhere within these homes, to feel both the unfamiliar textures of new worlds and the reassuring patterns of familiarity.

Morning is both the most ordinary and the most revealing part of our day. Through each child’s first steps—how they wake, what they see when they open their eyes, how they prepare for school—we learn about cultural rhythms. In Italy, mornings start with family bustle and chatter near the kitchen. In Japan, neatness and precision mark breakfast and dressing for school. In Uganda, the sun rises early and the walk to fetch water may be the first daily chore. Every small act, from putting on shoes to saying goodbye, becomes a piece of cultural identity.

Yet every child shares the same emotion: the gentle transition from sleep to motion, the first excitement for what lies ahead. I drew these scenes to reflect warmth—how the morning light touches homes differently but equally beautifully. The family structures vary—some children dine with grandparents, others with parents or siblings only—but all begin with care. Through this familiar start, readers begin to understand diversity as something human, not distant.