Colorful, vibrant photographs showcase children in more than 35 countries. The easy-to-read, boldfaced text tells about their leisure activities: "To play means swinging/and jumping/ and running/and climbing." The simple sentences are enhanced by the clear action photographs that effectively illustrate the many forms a particular type of recreation can take. To some children, playing in the water may mean running through a lawn sprinkler; to others, it may mean floating in a stream or paddling a canoe. Picture captions identify the country and activity, affording a cultural panorama--"Leaping through flowers on a kibbutz in Israel"; "Playing bao in the yard in Ethiopia"; "Climbing a tree in the Philippines"; "Playing with a truck in Senegal." The photographs also provide glimpses into the world's different landscapes and environments. Kermit the Frog's foreword conveys the message that play is a universal language. Two pages of endnotes serve as a summary and encourage children to reflect on the many kinds of toys and the importance of imagination and friendship. A great discussion starter.

Each of the photos in Come Out and Play by Maya Ajmera and John Ivanko speaks volumes about what life is like in various countries. The sentence, "To play means swinging and jumping and running and climbing," covers two spreads and accompanies photos of a child gliding in what appears to be a metal bucket on a brightly colored swing set in Egypt, a child in button-down shirt and tie swinging on a rope in Nepal and children racing barefoot in Nicaragua with their village in the background. More exotic games (such as bao in Ethiopia or catch-the-wolf in Canada) are also featured.