The World In A Second - Hardcover

Isabel Minhós Martins is a Portuguese author and publisher whose words are found in works of poetry, children’s books, magazines, comic books, and scripts for animations.

Bernardo Carvalho is an illustrator and graphic designer from Lisbon whose work has been honored with multiple awards.

A Boston Globe Best Book of 2015

Even as Martins' spare text describes the action with poetic restraint via Miller-Lachmann's translation ("In an island barbershop, a man bids farewell to his mustache"), Carvalho's double-page spreads invite readers to linger to understand each of the 23 stories. [...] The book's extra-large trim is the perfect format for this mesmerizing vision of a thrillingly expansive world." -- STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews

“The concept is at once immensely simple and also incredibly complex, the understanding that your own life is just one of many being lived at the very same time. . . Perfect to start discussions about time and place and even time zones, this picture book allows children to think in a bigger way about their world, diversity and their own place.”
--Waking Brain Cells

“this contemplative thought experiment joins recent books like Bob Graham’sThe Silver Button and Clotilde Perrin’s At the Same Moment, Around the World in encouraging children to consider the many things that can occur in the space of a single moment in time.” – Publishers Weekly

“This book is perfect for every primary classroom. It makes for a gratifying read aloud and shared story time.” – Literary Fusions

“So very many things can happen in just one short second, all around the world, and this beautiful book shows us the magic of such 'insignificant' occurrences and how fascinating they can be . . . A book to make children think--and appreciate the enormity of our planet.” – Kids’ Book Review

“Thoughtful and thought-provoking text and large, colorful illustrations sprawling two pages take readers to 23 different stops throughout the world in one-second pauses. Beginning in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and ending in Florianopolis, Brazil, readers have the chance to see what is happening at the exact same point in time . . . the book encourages reflection about the importance of a second in someone’s life.” – The International Literacy Association

“Each moment leaps to life with vividly colored illustrations that spread across two pages and capture time and place with remarkably evocative detail and varied, exquisite composition . . . The central magic of this book lies in the sophisticated, elaborate treatment of an idea that sounds like it was plucked from a child’s daydream.” – The Boston Globe

“As with that deceptively simple poetic form, only a handful of syllables appear on each page of this handsome book, and most relate to small, quotidian things. Yet the overall effect is sweeping and dramatic. Through the clear lines of Bernardo Carvalho’s color-saturated illustrations, we travel from country to country, seeing what’s happening at the exact same moment.” – Wall Street Journal

“a series of snapshots that, together, form a profound impression of the enormity and connectivity of our frenetic world . . . some of the second-long events will lead to dramatic discussions about what happens next, while others are more quietly profound. Highly recommended for any primary school child.” – Readings Bookstore


A Boston Globe Best Book of 2015

Even as Martins' spare text describes the action with poetic restraint via Miller-Lachmann's translation ("In an island barbershop, a man bids farewell to his mustache"), Carvalho's double-page spreads invite readers to linger to understand each of the 23 stories. [...] The book's extra-large trim is the perfect format for this mesmerizing vision of a thrillingly expansive world." -- STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews

The concept is at once immensely simple and also incredibly complex, the understanding that your own life is just one of many being lived at the very same time. . . Perfect to start discussions about time and place and even time zones, this picture book allows children to think in a bigger way about their world, diversity and their own place.”
--Waking Brain Cells

this contemplative thought experiment joins recent books like Bob Graham’sThe Silver Button and Clotilde Perrin’s At the Same Moment, Around the World in encouraging children to consider the many things that can occur in the space of a single moment in time.” Publishers Weekly

This book is perfect for every primary classroom. It makes for a gratifying read aloud and shared story time.” Literary Fusions

So very many things can happen in just one short second, all around the world, and this beautiful book shows us the magic of such 'insignificant' occurrences and how fascinating they can be . . . A book to make children think--and appreciate the enormity of our planet.” Kids’ Book Review

Thoughtful and thought-provoking text and large, colorful illustrations sprawling two pages take readers to 23 different stops throughout the world in one-second pauses. Beginning in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and ending in Florianopolis, Brazil, readers have the chance to see what is happening at the exact same point in time . . . the book encourages reflection about the importance of a second in someone’s life.” The International Literacy Association

Each moment leaps to life with vividly colored illustrations that spread across two pages and capture time and place with remarkably evocative detail and varied, exquisite composition . . . The central magic of this book lies in the sophisticated, elaborate treatment of an idea that sounds like it was plucked from a child’s daydream.” The Boston Globe

As with that deceptively simple poetic form, only a handful of syllables appear on each page of this handsome book, and most relate to small, quotidian things. Yet the overall effect is sweeping and dramatic. Through the clear lines of Bernardo Carvalho’s color-saturated illustrations, we travel from country to country, seeing what’s happening at the exact same moment.” Wall Street Journal

a series of snapshots that, together, form a profound impression of the enormity and connectivity of our frenetic world . . . some of the second-long events will lead to dramatic discussions about what happens next, while others are more quietly profound. Highly recommended for any primary school child.” Readings Bookstore