This book does not depict any one culture or language, rather it depicts many. Also, the rhyming text could be used to engage the children in rhyming activities. Children could talk about the many cultures represented and compare their own daily lives to those depicted in the story. Teachers could use this book to discuss diversity and inclusiveness. This book could be read at the beginning of the school year to help the children feel comfortable. While it could be read to children as young as Pre-K, it is best suited for 2nd and 3rd grade students. This book would be of interest to young children due to its inclusive message and engaging illustrations. Readers can have fun looking over the pictures to see the many families represented. The illustrations show diverse cultures, family structures, and religions. A school day is depicted showing activities such as art class and music class. The message of the story is that everybody is welcome, no matter what their differences. This book should generate lots of conversations and there is much for kids to discover and talk about long after the first day of school is over.Īll Are Welcome, written by Alexandra Penfold and illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman, is a book about a school that celebrates diversity. But wait, there's more: the back end paper shows the kids and their parents/caregivers leaving school at the end of the day, and if you take off the dust jacket, you will see each child up close and personal. The mixed-media illustrations are as bright and happy as the children and adults they depict. The story is told in a three line rhyme that never falters and always end in the fourth line'All are welcome here' and no, it won't take kids long to begin chiming in on that line.

School here becomes what school should be everywhere: 'We're part of a community/Our strength is our diversity/A shelter from adversity/All are welcome here.' Besides cultural diversity, there is a blind student and one on a wheelchair, and there are a variety of families: single parents, moms and dads, two moms, two dads, and mixed race parents. Even their lunches reflect their heritage and who they are. Inside, kids spend their day getting to know each other and learning about their different cultural backgrounds through music, art, and stories. It's the first day of school and the endpapers of this lovely book show a large group of wonderfully diverse kids and their parents/caregivers walking to a school with a big 'All Are Welcome' banner across the entrance.

All are welcome penfold