For Every Child a Better World

By Kermit the Frog

As told to Louise Gikow and Ellen Weiss

Illustrated by Bruce McNally

Copyright 1993

This book is far from what one would expect in a picture book featuring Kermit the Frog.  The text is simple, listing nine rights all children should have, such as food to eat, a home, medicine, an education, peace.  In a just world, these would be available to all.  A two-page spread shows wonderfully diverse Muppet characters enjoying each one of these rights.  However, this book also depicts the injustice that exists in the world.  Turn the page and you’ll see a two-page spread of Muppet children obviously suffering from lack of that right.  

The pictures are potentially very disturbing for young children, yet an important lesson all must learn eventually.  The most vital lesson comes at the end and reminds me of Mister Roger’s suggestions about helping children come to grips with scary or tragic events.  His mother had taught him to always “look for the helpers” in those situations.  And that is what this picture book does.  The last pages give us hope by picturing people helping each other.

“All over the world, people are working to see that every child gets what every child needs.  This will mean a better world for all of us.”