• Age: 8 to 12
• Grade: 3 to 7
• Reading age: 8 to 12

How to Build Your Own Country is an interactive and totally original learning experience that shows kids how to build their very own country from scratch. This book, the only one of its kind, offers children the expertise and advice they'll need to plant their flag in the backyard, in the bedroom or online. Kids will be amazed to discover that anyone can do it. Nation-building advice is peppered with examples of events that have shaped countries throughout history, teaching young readers about government, elections, geography and global issues.

Backed up with lots of amazing examples of real micronations - some established or ruled by kids - How to Build Your Own Country promises to inspire, entertain and inform young nation-builders.

Want to build your very own country from scratch? It's easy:

Step 1: Stake Out Your Identity ... with a flag, money and a national anthem. Learn how to put your country's name on the map.

Step 2: Run the Country ... with a government, constitution, laws and an economy.

Step 3: Meet the Neighbors ... and join other nations on the big issues that face the whole world, such as poverty, global warming, security and international aid.

How To Build Your Own Country is part of CitizenKid: A collection of books that inform children about the world and inspire them to be better global citizens.

Valerie Wyatt is an award-winning author of more than 14 nonfiction books, many of them about science. She also writes on historical topics and, from time to time, picture books. Asked if she has a favorite book, she says it's always the one she's just finished. She loves writing for children because it's not just about the words. “You have to think about the photographs and illustrations as well and make sure they fit together,” she says. “It's like putting together a jigsaw puzzle.” Valerie lives in Victoria, British Columbia, with her husband and dog, MacPherson, whose favorite food is cucumbers.

Valerie Wyatt's profile page

Karen Frederick's illustrations have appeared in many publications, including The New York Times and Scientific American. She works from her home in the Hamptons.

Fred Rix's profile page

• Winner, Red Cedar Book Award
• Winner, Silver Birch Award, Ontario Library Association
• Winner, Hackmatack Award
• Winner, Best Books for Kids & Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre
• Winner, Information Book Award, Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada

... will be a perfect resource for kids working on class projects, as well as an entertaining read on a subject that will interest any youngster who ever wondered what it would be like to be in charge of an entire nation.

Quill & Quire

Youngsters will enjoy the color illustrations and humor throughout.

School Library Journal

How to Build Your Own Country (CitizenKid)