"Information updated May 2007"--T.p. verso.

Includes bibliographical references: p. 32.

If the world were a village of 100 people, only seven would have computers, only nine would speak English (22 would speak a dialect of Chinese) and 60 would always be hungry. Understanding such numbers leads to "world-mindedness," says author and teacher David Smith. The statistics about everything from religion to language, electricity to water quality and literacy to money are listed along with bits of explanation-"Not everyone in the global village is encouraged to learn to read, write, and think." There are bright, full-page illustrations in chunky, primitive acrylic. There is a modern, adult feel to the illustrations that gives the book appeal to a wide age range, from young children who can appreciate the simplest statistics to high school students who can debate the implications of the numbers and search for solutions.