We All Belong: a Children's Book about Diversity, Race and Empathy

Book excerpt: We all live in the one world together. Let's see how we're different in some ways and the same in other ways. We all Belong' is a beautifully written and illustrated children's picture book that recognises and celebrates the diversity in a caring group of children. A wonderfully flowing, rhyming poem about respect... whatever our culture, whatever the colour of our skin. If you like 'All the ways to be smart', you will treasure this. A stunning poem about inclusion, with excellent representation of different cultures. Much-needed in today's society. By recognising differences between cultures and races, and appreciating that everyone is beautiful, children can grow up with empathy - appreciating others around them. 'We all Belong' gives young readers a safe space to see themselves and others through a diverse group of characters. The book includes an activity at the end, to help children appreciate how we are all similar in some ways and different in other ways too. It's vital that kids see differences, rather than live in a colour-blind world. By creating a friendly familiar school environment, Nathalie and Alex's book gives kids access their own familiar world, and fills it with the love and kindness of a multicultural group of children. There's a closeness between the children, a proximity, that encourages empathy, not racism, to grow. Nathalie Goss is a black French Caribbean illustrator and author, with a bilingual, mixed race family, living in the UK. She shares her creativity, kindness and wisdom. There is an authenticity to this piece of poetry, written with and edited by Alex Goss. For UK and US kids: Relevant and written for both UK (British) and US (American) families and schools. Multicultural representation: Characters from Black, African, Caribbean, Asian, White, Biracial, Mixed Race and Indian heritage share feelings on how they are different and how they are the same. Age-appropriate: This kid's book will be adored by children of all ages, and grown ups too. Ideal way to gently introduce conversations about race with children of all ages, from preschoolers, toddlers through to grade 3 and primary school.