Big People and Little People of Other Lands

"Big People and Little People of Other Lands" by Edward R. Shaw is an educational children's book written in the late 19th century, aimed at introducing young readers to diverse cultures around the world. This informative text provides vivid descriptions of different peoples and their customs, focusing on contrasts that engage children's imaginations and encourage their curiosity about the wider world. The book is structured to foster learning through simple explanations, complementing the innate curiosity of children in early schooling. In this book, Shaw explores a myriad of cultures, including the Chinese, Japanese, Arabs, and various indigenous groups like the Eskimos and Indians. Each chapter delves into the daily lives, traditional clothing, family structures, educational practices, and unique customs of these groups. For instance, it discusses how Chinese children learn at loud schools, how Japanese kids enjoy toy ovens, and the communal lifestyle of the Eskimos. Through engaging language and illustration, the text presents an array of cultural practices, from the food they eat, games they play, and the types of houses they live in, providing a comprehensive overview that aims to enlighten young readers about the similarities and differences among peoples of the world. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Edward Richard Shaw (1855–1903) was a Professor and Dean, New York University, and author of numerous books, primarily children's schoolbooks.