All Are Welcome

By Author / Illustrator

Alexandra Penfold, Suzanne Kaufman

Genre

Representation & Inclusion

Age range(s)

Publisher

Bloomsbury Children's Books

ISBN

9781526604071

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

24-01-2019

Synopsis

A bright and uplifting celebration of cultural diversity and belonging, where all children are welcome in the classroom.

'No matter how you start your day, What you wear when you play, Or if you come from far away, All are welcome here.' Follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcome. A school where children in patkas, hijabs, baseball caps and yarmulkes play side by side. A school where students grow and learn from each other's traditions. A school where diversity is a strength.

Warm and inspiring, All Are Welcome lets young children know that no matter what, they have a place, they have a space, and they are welcome in their school. Engaging lyrical text and bright, accessible illustrations make this book a must for every child's bookshelf, classroom and library.

'If your little one is a little nervous about fitting in and whether they'll belong at school, pick up All Are Welcome' Barnes & Noble.

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Reviews

All are Welcome is a delightful picture book which declares to all children that they have a place and are valued in their school. The rhyming text is perfect for reading aloud and children will quickly pick up on, and join in with, the repeated refrain of 'All are welcome here'.

The book shows a diverse selection of children who share a class and their families as they spend a day in school. There is a real sense of celebration and inclusion and the illustrations offer so many things to notice, inspire questions, investigate and explore. They show the children eating different foods and wearing differing clothing whilst playing, learning and enjoying themselves together.

The teacher is sharing Maya Angelou's 'Life Doesn't Frighten Me' at story time - a poem worth investigating! Children will enjoy following certain children from page to page and discovering more about them and their families through the details in the illustrations.

In schools, this book would make an excellent starting point for an assembly - or perhaps a celebration day where everyone comes together to share and sample different foods / experiences like the one shown at the end of the book.

Picture book / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher