All Together Now
Week 4 ~ Belonging

Nikki Giovanni

In this ode to libraries where everyone who loves stories is welcome, a world-renowned poet captures the magic of these places for imagination, exploration and escape. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.

Pauline David-Sax

When her safe space—the school library—closes for a week, Nicky must face her social anxiety, but when she meets a group of unique, diverse, inspiring women at her mother's diner, she realizes being different doesn't mean being alone. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.

Yuval Zommer

"The Big Book of Belonging is a timely celebration of all the ways that humans are connected to life on planet Earth. With children at the heart of every beautifully illustrated spread, this book draws parallels between the way humans, plants, and animals live and behave. We all breathe the same air and take warmth from the same sun, we grow, we adapt to the seasons, and we live together in family groups. Readers will be fascinated to learn that instead of using words to communicate, fava beans send chemical messages through their roots, Caribbean reef squid send warnings of danger and even declarations of love by changing color, and that adorable big-eyed primates called tarsiers make calls to one another over the noise of the rainforest that are too high-pitched for predators to hear. By putting children at the heart of the book's concept, author Yuval Zommer unites readers of the Big Book series from all corners of the world under one banner--of belonging to planet Earth. The book's gentle message of caring for nature will inspire readers of all ages and encourage a new generation of environmentalists to flourish"

Cale Atkinson

Oliver, a little piece of a big puzzle, wonders how he will fit into the big picture of his life and whether or not he will be part of a unicorn's mane, a pirate squid tentacle, an astronaut's helmet or something else, in a metaphorical tale about finding the place where one belongs. By the creator of Maxwell the Monkey Barber.

Dan-ah Kim

In this inventive story about creativity and imagination, Nari, who lives in a noisy house in a crowded city, wishes for a quiet place to call her own and embarks on a fantastical journey to find the perfect spot where she truly belongs. 30,000 first printing. Illustrations.

Cynthia Rylant

This cozy, comfy ode to the universal feeling of being at home, a place you want to return to again and again, celebrates all kinds of homes—and all kinds of families. 20,000 first printing. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.

Michael Hall

Racing to the playground to claim the swings, four letters of the alphabet spar and bully, making each other feel inferior, before kindness and empathy reshape their perspectives, helping them to form the word,“LOVE.” 60,000 first printing. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.

Siyuan Liu

"Every morning, Leilong the school bus shuttles through the city, picking up children as he goes. But a brontosaurus longer than a tennis court causes big problems in the busy streets. The school decides he can't be the bus anymore. The children must find a way to help their long friend fit in"

Alyssa Satin Capucilli

From the best-selling writer of the Biscuit series comes a picture book ode to the intergenerational bonds of love and joy shared between family and friends, featuring a diverse array of communities. 25,000 first printing. Illustrations.

Jim Averbeck

"Trevor is lonely and looking for a friend. He stretches his wings the length of his boring cage and notices the tree outside stretching its branch. And on the end of that branch? Perhaps a new friend. But one that is quiet and shy. Trevor knows just howto make him feel comfortable. This is an elegantly told, truly unique tale of a canary who befriends a lemon and finds that you don't have to be two of a kind to form a meaningful and lasting friendship"--Jacket flap

Sophie Anderson

Longing to know her true identity after being discovered in a bear cave as a baby, Yanka embarks on a journey that forces her to leave a loving foster home in search of a place where she truly belongs

Sebastien Braun

Though his mother loves him just the same as his siblings, a young duckling feels ugly because he looks and sounds different from the other ducks, but one day he discovers who he really is

Kaitlin McGaw

Inspired by the Alphabet Rocker's empowering song“Not Alone,” this uplifting picture book encourages kids to love themselves, stand up to hate, step up for one another and have each other's backs, no matter what. Illustrations.

Patrice Karst

Illustrations and easy-to-read text reveal that there are strings connecting people all over the world, that become tangled sometimes but always help us be one big family

Theodore Taylor

Missing the city life, a young girl starts to feel a sense of belonging in her new town when she discovers vibrant graffiti splashed throughout the neighborhoods, proving street art can be found everywhere--as well as a sense of home

Sana Rafi

"When Maya moves to a different country, she feels lonely and lost. Everything and everyone seems so unfamiliar here, and she wonders if she will ever find a way to fit in. Longing for her home, she holds tightly to the special seeds her grandmother gaveher, afraid to plant them. Can she take the risk that they, and she, might grow and bloom in this new place?"

Debra Pearson

A poetically told immigration story that fosters understanding and beautifully articulates how the desire to belong and the need for human connection are universal highlights the character education traits of resilience, kindness, and empathy

Emma Dodd

A small horse and a large horse celebrate their unconditional love in a heartwarming tale that combines gentle rhymes with foil-embellished illustrations to explore themes of identity and belonging. Illustrations.

Jane Clarke

A lonely neon-colored chameleon who does anything but blend into his environment departs from the chameleons who avoid him and embarks on a search for a place to belong, inviting children to help count his steps, soothe him to sleep and offer other reassurances during his journey.