We Belong

by Laura Purdie Salas, Carlos Velez Aguilera (Illustrator)

We all belong!

You and I, we're alike, / but we're different too. / That's not good. / That's not bad. / It's just what is true.

Explore and celebrate who you are and who others are too! Rhyming verse by Laura Purdie Salas invites others to notice the diversity of our world and affirm that we all belong, just as we are. Bright illustrations by Carlos Vélez Aquilera feature a diverse group of children, playing and learning in an urban setting.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Fiction, Cultural, Poetry, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

Published March 1, 2022

About the author

Laura Purdie Salas is the author of more than 130 books for kids and teens, including WATER CAN BE... (Millbrook, 2014), A LEAF CAN BE... (Millbrook, 2012), and BOOKSPEAK! POEMS ABOUT BOOKS (Clarion, 2011). She loves to introduce kids to poetry and help them find poems they can relate to, no matter what their age, mood, and personality.

Laura is a thinker, a cupcake and brownie addict, and an adventurer (as long as it doesn't involve skydiving).

Reviews

[Cherlynn | cherreading]

We're each only as high
as a small grain of sand
next to mountains or sky.

Wow! Every part of this book is beautiful, from the lyrical text and lovely artwork to the powerful message and important themes. I really love the diversity and representation here. It's also amazing how so much is covered in a succinct few lines e.g. immigration, race, gender identity, physical appearance etc.

A wonderful read about acceptance and celebrating our differences.

I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley.

[Jess]

We Belong by Laura Purdie Salas was absolutely stunning. From the beautiful illustrations to the rhyming words to the more profound message of each unique in our own particular way.

As a teacher who teaches at an inclusive school, I appreciate how We Belong represented ALL people, sharing diversity among the characters, families, and needs. Every child who reads this will see themselves and feel as though they belong, too.

We Belong gives a grand scope that we all are different, having our own wants, dreams, needs, but in the end, we're all human, a speck of sand in the vast universe.

The message reminds us to celebrate the differences and similarities we have as human beings and a sense of self-worth and self-love. It gives identity something to be proud of, and for children at a young age, this lesson is significantly essential.

I would 10/10 recommend this book, and I definitely want We Belong in my classroom as well as the school. We Belong will stick with me for years to come; it captured my heart, and I know it'll capture yours.

Thank you to the author and publishers for sending me the e-arc for an honest review.

[Halle McClain]

5 ⭐️ // It is one of my goals in life to ensure others feel welcome, so I was immediately drawn to the title, We Belong. I enjoyed reading this children’s book as it simplifies appreciating each person for who they are. Also, the author points out the importance of different emotions and how it connects us to others.

It really should be simple - to celebrate our differences and similarities, so this story can be an important lesson for both the adult reader and the children listening.

Not only did the graphics show representation for different ethnicities and religions, but there were individuals with disabilities as well. Overall, I was very impressed by the illustrations and how they tied into the writing.

I would happily purchase this book for my friends and family who are teachers or parents. Additionally, I can see myself reading this story to my future kids before bed.

Thank you NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group, for providing me an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Jazzi]

I was actually very excited to read this book because my work focuses heavily in DEI and education. The art is absolutely wonderful - vivid and playful. It was very inclusive but I was disappointed because there were some times I felt the art and text leaned into stereotypes: the loud Latina, the tall Black basketball player, the short Asian girl, the little girl with cancer in a scarf, representing transgender identification with a man in a tutu.

There isn't really a story or sequence in the photos. Sometimes the lines feel random for the sake of the rhyme or don't match the art. Black and White were also the only races explicitly mentioned, which didn't feel representative. Importantly, when you capitalize one race, it's best to do so for all, to avoid creating even more unnecessary differences between races with language usage. If this were just a picture book without text - snapshots of our diverse world or the city - I'd be more likely to buy it for children.

[Linda]

While Laura Purdie Salas could not foresee the tragic events happening in Ukraine, she's written a book that's perfect for our time now! Yes, "We Belong!" It's a welcoming story all the way through: "and I'm glad we are here. I'm glad that you're you." Laura's rhymes keep the pace, from excitement to empathy, always finding a way to support each difference, whether it's being quiet or loud, everyone's skin color, and a choice to "be who you are"! The celebration and support feel terrific and are enhanced by Carlos Vélez Aguilera's color-filled illustrations filled with diverse children and activities. "You and I, we're alike, but we're different, too./That's not good./That's not bad./It's just what is true." It would be lovely to share with a group and talk about all the unique ways in which we can "be", still enjoying our lives and life! Laura does a super job keeping things simple for younger readers, but making the important point for every reader that "We Belong."

[MookNana]

I can't wait to get this in my classroom! This is a lovely ode to all of our wonderful differences as humans and why they make us special and perfect just the way we are. The message is fantastic and so necessary---there is room for everyone and everyone has something to contribute!

The rhyming structure works well and makes this a lyrical read. The illustrations are vivid and full of lively detail. I appreciated the wide variety of people depicted on the page. There was a lovely mix of gender expressions, ethnicities, races, abilities, and even a bit of body diversity, which will make it easier for kids to see themselves on the page. This would be an excellent circle time book and a great addition to pre-K school and classroom libraries.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

[Aolund]

A well-intentioned "we're all the same/we're all different" book that I thought was trying to do too much at once and ended up feeling a little vague and meaningless. I thought the pictures were rich and attractive, but some of the text left me wanting more-- "There are boys. There are girls./ And even more choices," for example, or the passage about race, which also felt cursory and binary ("Does the world call you Black? / Does it say you are white? / Whatever its color, your skin is just right) even with the clarifying line that there are "infinite shades between light and dark"). There are just so many of these self-love be-yourself "tours" through diversity books that I just want them to be REALLY outstanding if I'm going to recommend them to someone.

Themes: Be Yourself, We're All the Same/We're all Different
age range: Preschool-Kindergarten

[Jena | TheMoonlitPage]

This beautiful children’s story takes you on a poetic adventure in embracing the things that make us unique. I love that the author included more diversity than just skin tone in this wonderfully done book. The illustrations represent people from many ethnic backgrounds, abilities, sizes, and other characteristics that make each of us who we are.

As the mother of a child with a facial port wine birthmark I love seeing authors promote diversity through children’s literature. I hope one day we will see characters with facial birthmarks as well.

The writing is catchy and flows so well. I really loved the illustrations and felt they compliment the story perfectly. This book belongs in every classroom and library worldwide.

[Stacy Renee (LazyDayLit)]

We received a digital copy of this picture book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.


We Belong is a beautiful poem that celebrates our differences AND similarities and reminds us that it's ok to be just as we are, whatever and wherever that may be. We all belong.

This inclusive picture book is perfect for young readers and includes lots of onomatopoeia and fantastic rhymes that help the reader realize their own importance in the world.

With amazing illustrations featuring an incredibly diverse cast of background characters, including different races, religions, and physical abilities, We Belong will help readers from all walks of life feel like they matter!

We read this for Mental Health Awareness Week!

[Maggie McDonald]

This story talks about how both our bodies and personalities make us all unique and different. Whether someone is short or tall, loud or quiet, from near or far, they all have value and importance in the world. The story compares two antonyms and shows the reader that no matter which quality they possess, they are all important and can be used in the world in many ways. I can use this story in the classroom when students are feeling insecure. The story shows students that when they may feel being short or too quiet are negatives, they are actually beneficial to the world in many ways. The story gives students a positive outlook on their lives and how our different qualities bring us together and create good in the world.

[Amelia]

"Sometimes we'd like to make sadness extinct,
but teardrops and smiles are joined--
they are linked."

Salas' and Aguilera's picture book is a celebration of differences and similarities. From height to ability to race to gender, everyone is valued and everyone deserves to feel how they feel and make friendships and have the opportunity to feel and be supported.

With colored pencil illustrations, Aguilera creates a bountiful and colorfully detailed world in which friends can be made easily . Salas' rhyming poetry also offers a sense of community and continuity alongside the illustrations, further proving that getting along is easier than it looks.

[Melanie Dulaney]

Salas’ simple text clearly conveys to young learners that it doesn’t matter if they are short/tall, loud/quiet, black/white, we all have a valuable place in this world. Carlos Belen Aguilera’s colored pencil and digital illustrations are bright, colorful and include a variety of skin tones, genders, kids with disabilities, and a multitude of interests. Text even suggests that there are more choices than simply “boy” and “girl.”

Thanks for the print arc, CarolRhoda Books/Lerner Publishing Group.

[Pam]

I received an electronic ARC from Lerner Publishing Group through NetGalley.
Encouraging message to celebrate each child's uniqueness as well as their connections to others. The rhythmic text offers a window for readers to look at a wide variety of life choices - quiet or loud, sports or arts, etc. They are invited to share what they value as well and to try new and different things. The illustrations support the text and further encourage readers to celebrate who they are.

[Mary Bronson]

Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC for an honest review

I thought this was such a great picture book about diversity and how all people belong here and how we can learn to live to together. And it helps kids learn about to play with all kinds of kids and how to include them. How it does not matter about what skin color you are we all belong. This book reminds me about an old book I read as a kid called One Light One Sun by Raffi which came out in March of 1990.

[Lindsay]

I'm always looking for great books that celebrate diversity for my kids, and this was such a great one! It was fun to read, the illustrations are beautiful, it honors emotion, and discusses and celebrates our differences in race, ability, background, and health. It talks about how each of us are enough and that we belong here with each other. This is a great book for any personal children's library!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest, albeit late review!

[Lee Miao]

This is truly one of those inclusive books that belongs in every children’s library. Speaking of “belong,” that’s the subject of this beautiful picture book by poet Salas that celebrates every child in every form. Beautiful also captures the unique illustrations accompanying each page of rhyming verse. Whether it’s meeting kids who are loud, melancholy, from an urban neighborhood, or elsewhere, “let your own heart be your guiding North Star.” Well said!

[Nicole Willard]

I really enjoyed this book. Working with young children a rhyming story really can’t go wrong. However, there’s so much more to this book than it’s rhyming scheme. The message and illustrations promote inclusion and acceptance within the community. I love the differences weren’t just mentioned but were celebrated!

[Bethany W]

I reviewed a digital copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley.

An excellent picture book about belonging, no matter who you are, what you look like, or how you feel.

"Whatever its color, your skin is just right." A short and concise line, but oh so powerful.

[Sheri]

A celebration of life with the people surrounding you in your neighborhood and city and town. And why it matters to be connected to others nearby. And welcoming others to your neighborhood, city, or community to belong.

[LS Johnson]

The title says it all. This is one of the most complete picture books I've read that addresses all the ways that people are made to feel left out, but then turns it around and shows how all belong, right where they are.

[SamSamSam]

This had a lot of potential! I think it tried to squish a lot of issues into one book though, and that's where it fell apart for me. I think the beginning, with concrete differences to compare, was the strongest part of the book.

[Amber]

"You are good.
You're enough.
When You're right.
When you're wrong.
And here, in this space-
This is where we belong"
Beautiful illustrations with sweet flowing text, this book is a fantastic read with your kiddo, highlighting that no matter the differences, we belong <3.

[Alexandria Ward]

This book assures children that no matter how they look, how they act, where they are from, etc that each and every person is special and that "we all belong" in this world together. A very sweet book with fun rhymes to boot.

[Joy Moore]

This is a book we all need. Parents and children alike. Full of lush and saturated illustrations it is a book I wish I had as a child.

[Christine LaBatt]

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

We Belong is an adorable children's book that celebrates all sorts of people. It reminds us that everyone belongs, no matter who you are. The rhyming verses are great for young children. The illustrations are also beautiful. Would recommend!

[Clementine]

the rhyming text sometimes stumbles but it's a really lovely celebration of humanity and what connects us while also talking about differences.

[Mary Lee]

I like this message:

"When we learn from each other,
we expand what we know.
Our hearts crack open,
like seeds,
and they grow."

[Jessica]

Parts I loved, parts I didn’t at all. Overall a 3 but I sure do appreciate the intended message.

[Alice]

5 stars for this amazing book

[Anthony]

A lyrical ode to diversity in and around the world, and how we as individuals should be more attuned to the people around us that make up this universe.