Final answer:
World history textbooks are effective in helping students make connections with the past by providing a global perspective, introducing diverse voices and experiences, and encouraging critical thinking and empathy.
Step-by-step explanation:
History is more than a series of names and dates, it is a story that connects us to the past and helps us understand ourselves. World history textbooks are designed to ground students in this shared past while also preparing them for the future. They provide a global perspective, introduce diverse voices and experiences, and encourage empathy and critical thinking skills. Therefore, the statement that history textbooks are not effective in helping children make meaningful connections with the past is false.