We Are All Under One Wide Sky

by Deborah Wiles, Andrea Stegmaier (Illustrator)

Children will learn to both celebrate diversity and embrace how much we all have in common.

In We Are All Under One Wide Sky, Deborah Wiles beautifully weaves together images from the natural world in a lovely, lyrical poem. Andrea Stegmaier’s fresh and captivating illustrations feature children from around the globe and celebrate different architecture, landscapes, and activities.

By the end of the book, children will have internalized the message that although we are from different places, we are the same in so many ways. What we have in common is what is most important—family, laughter, love, nature, and friendship. We all share the same wide sky.

We Are All Under One Wide Sky is a peace anthem with a timely and important message for children: to both celebrate diversity and embrace how much we all have in common.

Genres: Picture Books, Counting, Storytime, Childrens, Number, Fiction, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

Published June 15, 2021

About the author

Deborah Wiles is the author of several highly acclaimed books, including the beloved LOVE, RUBY LAVENDER and two National Book Award finalists--EACH LITTLE BIRD THAT SINGS and REVOLUTION. Her first picture book, FREEDOM SUMMER, received the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award. She is also an NAACP Book Award finalist, E.B. White Award winner, Golden Kite Award winner, Jane Addams Peace Award Finalist, and recipient of a PEN Phyllis Reynolds Naylor Working Writer Fellowship. Her newest book is the YA novel KENT STATE. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia. You can visit her on the web at deborahwiles.com, follow her on IG at @deborahwiles_ or Twitter at @DeborahWiles101

Reviews

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a children's book that I read to my twin boys, and I would say this is for ages 2-5. I loved the message behind this book, and the pictures was so cute. You can also have your kid count the items on the pages because the book counts down. I think this is a cute book, but there is so many counting books out there. I do feel this one also has a good message which most counting book does not. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Sounds True) or author (Deborah Wiles) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

[Andrea Pole · Rating 5 out of 5]

We Are All Under One Sky by Deborah Wiles is a beautifully illustrated picture book that will clearly convey to children in any part of the world that while we have many differences, there is so much more that we share as part of belonging to a global community. Gorgeous and detailed artwork takes us on a journey around the planet, celebrating all that we share, from the love of a parent to the rich diversity of the natural world. This is a lovely book that will surely become a cherished addition to any child's collection.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sounds True for an ARC of this title to read and review.

[B | crumbledpages · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautiful book with mesmerizing illustrations. The message of this book was to embrace differences. We are all different and yet the same under the sky. We are all co-living at the same time and should treat everyone equally. A great book. Would definitely recommend.

[Rebecca Crunden]

A gorgeously illustrated book filled with diversity and rep. Great for kids!

Thank you Netgalley for the review copy.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book is pretty and has a nice message, but there's no story line or plot. It's a counting book whose text goes from 1 to 5 then breaks to repeat the refrain that we're "all under one wide sky" then goes up to 10, breaks for the refrain, back down to 5, breaks for the refrain, then down to end with "one wide sky." The illustrations are beautiful. Although the page for number 10 is a little confusing because it says "Ten whirligigs spinning around" and 8 of the whirligigs have spinners (like pinwheels or windmills) on them so it took a while to figure out that the whirligigs were not the spinners, but the whole contraption.

Overall, a solid, but not outstanding, read. I would purchase it for my library because of the diverse illustrations and it is a decent counting book, but I won't be using it in story time because there's no real story. 3 stars.

Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a counting book, but it’s so much more. Kids of every nationality, every color and every ability lead us on a round the world tour, beginning with a yummy picnic under “one wide sky”. As we count down, there are stops in France, India, Afghanistan, the Netherlands and familiar backyards, but in every locale the children are playing familiar games, simply having fun and appreciating nature. The gentle, appealing illustrations bring the words to life and enable us to see and feel the joy on every page. I especially loved one of the last pages with the words, “three kisses, soft and sweet” and the illustrations of three diverse families, including a single mom, two dads and a grandma all tucking their little ones in for the night.

This is a story you’ll want to add to your family library, and I promise you’ll have lots of requests for repeat reads. Many thanks to the publisher for sharing this delightful story with me. When you visit their bio at @soundstruekids, you’ll find links for a charming poster and a storytime kit packed with great activities to do with your kids this summer.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC for a fair review:

This is a wonderfully simple picture book that drives home the idea that we are all existing on one planet together with just a few short words per page. Lovely illustrations.

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice picture book that introduces counting to ten and then back again, mixed with illustrations of diversity.

[Madison · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an ARC via NetGalley and although the illustrations are beautiful, the representations of other cultures are more stereotypical than accurate. I am a big fan of diverse, multicultural books, but it’s important that representation is accurate. The “Asian” child is depicted wearing a kimono to a picnic and in another scene playing ping pong. Casual activities in formal traditional clothing feels stereotypical and inaccurate.

[Altea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful !!
First of all the illustrations are among my favorites! Andrea Stegmaier (the illustrator) did an excellent job, the drawings show the sweetness, love, the importance of family and the bonds between people. This book is a little poem.
As distant and different our lives may be, in the end...
-- "We are all under one wide sky." --

Recommended!
4/4,5

Thank you NetGalley!

[Mutually Inclusive · Rating 4 out of 5]

We Are All Under One Wide Sky by Deborah Wiles is a beautiful picture book celebrating the diversity of the world we all live in.

This is a counting book consisting of a poem that counts up to ten, and back down again – reminding young readers of the one wide sky we are all under throughout. Fostering conversations about both mathematics and diversity, We Are All Under One Sky would make for a great read-aloud.

The poetic text is paired perfectly with fantastic illustrations by Andrea Stegmaier, capturing a diverse group of children who live all around the world. The illustrations really highlight the things we all share, no matter what part of the globe we inhabit – joy, friends, family, and of course the same wide sky.

Deborah Wiles is the author of several books for young readers and a two-time National Book Award finalist. She is from Mobile, Alabama (my hometown!), but currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia. To learn more about her and her work, please visit her website at deborahwiles.com.

Andrea Steigmaier is an illustrator and architect with a passion for children’s books based in Stuttgart, Germany. Please visit her website at andreastegmaier.com.

Many thanks to Sounds True for sending me a review copy of this beautiful book.

Blog | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads | Storygraph

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. It will be released June 15, 2021 by Sounds True.

In rhyming poetry, this counting book begins with the title of the book. Each new page shows increasing numbers of things up to ten. Then the numbers decrease to one again. Under one wide sky is a repeated refrain. I am not always a fan of rhyming poetry in picture books. It is hard to do well. Happily, this one is brilliant. I liked it so well I read it out loud to myself a number of times. Of course I was appreciating the illustrations at the same time.

Each time we come to Under one wide sky, we see a group of diverse children having fun together.

The other pages feature children from around the world in their unique cultural backgrounds. Readers see distinct architecture, plants and animals in each of these vignettes.

At the same time as readers are learning about counting and numbers, they are also learning an important message about being in the world with others. The combination of words and illustrations show that while we might have some differences, in the more important things, we are the same. We all have loving relationships with our families, nature, and the sky itself. The genius of this book is that it encourages us to acknowledge and celebrate all of these things.

As you can see from these sample illustrations, Andrea Stegmaier's illustrations bring those messages home. I couldn't find anything about how she created these images, but I did find this about her process, "I draw a lot. I draw digital and traditional, straight lines and wonky lines, serious and funny things, animals and people, houses and plants, simply everything."



If you aren't convinced yet that you that you need this book, let me tell you that the ending makes it also a lovely bedtime book. Little ones are certain to have sweet dreams after reading it.

[Paulina M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book! I love how it is a poem counting book that uses beautiful and simple language to count to 10 and countdown to 1.

The choice of words also helps spread the message of love, empathy, and respect. It celebrates children at their most beautiful and loving nature. Deborah Wiles managed to gift us with a book that helps children develop not only numeracy, but also literacy, social and emotional skills.

I feel that Andrea Stegmaier also did a superb job bringing diversity to the page. I LOVED how you can see people of different abilities, family structure, creed, race, language, type of residence… I am confident that the majority, if not all my students will find themselves represented on these pages.
I can’t wait to add this to my library in June.

Thank you Deborah Wiles, Sounds True and NetGalley for an advance copy of We Are All Under One Wide Sky in exchange for an honest review.

#WeAreAllUnderOneWideSky #NetGalley

[Amanda Molloy · Rating 4 out of 5]

We Are All Under One Wide Sky is a sweet and simple counting book in rhyme. The message is clear: we are unique and yet have much in common.

The author has chosen simple childhood moments and nature themes to count up to ten and then back down, with a refrain of the title occurring throughout the book. Because it is a counting book with no plot, I would recommend it primarily for our younger picture book audience (2-5 year olds). However, older children will appreciate the poetry and illustrations as well. The illustrator has included a diverse group of children and adults; a wide variety of races, cultures, religions, family types, ages, and abilities are represented. This makes it a great addition to any library, as many children will see themselves reflected in the illustrations.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
#WeAreAllUnderOneWideSky #NetGalley

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a counting book (counts up to ten and then back down again) that also incorporates the ways that children and families can be different yet also alike in so many ways. There are lots of ways to interact with the book - which will make reading it over and over a fun thing to do. You can look for the little brown bird in the pictures. And you can also have fun counting all the different objects on the page. There is rhyming so you can ask kids to find the words that rhyme. It might not make the best read aloud for a large group but it would be a great book to pore over with a small group of kids. And the illustrations are lovely! I think this would also be a good "going to bed" book because the story ends with the kids getting ready for bed and going to sleep all under one wide sky.

[Hannah Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even in today's world where the world seems to be bigger than ever, We Are All Under One Wide Sky is a beautiful reminder that we are all on the same planet and in this together. This book is sure to be a bedtime favorite with the soothing colors, rhythms, and bedtime routines depicted on the last few pages.

The book's illustrations are breathtaking, truly a work of art. The depictions of kids all over the world participating in their cultures are sure to spark conversations about how even though we are different, we are all valuable.

[Marte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

I think this is a really nice picture book, with beautiful illustrations and a nice overall message. What brought it a bit down for me was that it promises to teach kids to celebrate diversity and learn about how much we have in common, and I think this is a REALLY big claim. While it does bring kids in that general direction to see more diverse people and landscapes, just seeing diverse people isn't enough to celebrate diversity. Nice addition to the short picturebooks for younger children tho.

[Jessica Hawkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

We Are All Under One Wide Sky is a very simple and greatly illustrated story showing us that were all together. I read this to my 4 year old son who had fun counting all the objects that the story mentions. The pictures were great and they seemed very inclusive. We enjoyed all the illustrations and the many different things that the children were doing. This is a great counting book for young children.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

[Jacki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the concept, the art is sweet, the text is fine. I think it lacks context, though. The illustrations need some kind of key in case the adult reading the book isn't sure how to identify all the locations and landmarks. For example, if you don't figure out that the boy on the tulip page is wearing wooden shoes, or if you don't know what they are, you wouldn't know to explain that the boy probably lives in Holland.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

We Are All Under One Wide Sky is a great example of inclusive literature. I love the rhyming, it has a good read aloud pace, and it’s great for emergent readers! In society today, it’s important that we have representation in all forms and this would be a great book to add to your child’s library.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 

[Raina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an awesome book to show kids we are all different in our own ways but still live under the same sky. This book is simple enough that my toddler loved it and it was great to show her there are people all over the world who are the same yet different in their own beautiful ways. The illustrations are gorgeous as well.

[Shauna Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great counting book. The illustrations are fun and engaging. The text and illustrations will give parents and teachers a chance to broaden a child's horizon by introducing them to different cultures and ways of living while encouraging kids to see that we all have similarities.

Great picture book.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Love Love this book! It starts out with an illustration of a cross cultural picnic and then becomes a counting book that counts to 10 and then back again. And each number shows something that may be different from our norm like flying dragon kits, or trucks full of sand in the desert, but is a norm for someone else. It’s great because it reiterates that we all live under one sky.

[Libby Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the surface, WE ARE ALL UNDER ONE WIDE SKY by Deborah Wiles is a counting primer, helping to familiarize young children with numbers 1 through 10. But underneath that primer surface lies a celebration of diversity that will warm the hearts of everyone in your family.

Highly recommended for 2-5 year olds

[The Library Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

The adults will push the diversity button, but the kids will just enjoy the fun the kids are having together. The text rhymes smoothly and isn't any more preachy than the title. I am giving it 3 stars, but would give it 3.75, because while the art is beautiful, why do all the kids have the same round heads, the same blobby features? There's no (ahem)diversity there.

[A. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked the concept of this counting book more than the execution. International locales were vague and details like wardrobe and activity were stereotyped. (I.e., a child wearing a kimono playing ping pong.) Also, the anthropomorphism was unnecessary. Why is the cricket wearing glasses? Why are the bees a little mariachi band? Skip it.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

A counting book from 1 to 10 and back down to 1.
The pages just have the number words on them, not the numerals, although there's a spread in the middle with various numbers on it, not associated with things to count.
The things to count on each page are very clear.
Uses a variety of kids and families in various situations from around the world.

[Emilee (emileereadsbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Sounds True Publishing for a free digital copy for my review.

A counting book that celebrates the diversity and unity of the people on the planet as we all reside under one wide sky. I appreciated the detailed illustrations to go with the lovely simple text.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

We Are All Under One Wide Sky (Hardcover)
by Deborah Wiles
a great book for teaching counting up and down. the book uses really bright images to help children count up and down to 1-10. a great resource for text to understanding process.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

One interesting book suitable for young kids as much as older ones, to remind us all that we are all living under one big sky. No matter your skin color, your tradition or your family. We are quite similar one to another, and mostly we shared the same big sky. We faced more or less the same problem, and received same love.