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"Everyone's Invited!" radiates positivity. It promotes being kind to others, helping others in need, and loving oneself—all great messages!
Join Rose the owl as she learns about kindness, friendship, and self-love in 'Everyone's Invited!', the first installment of the multiple award winning 'A World of Difference' series. As Rose plans her birthday celebration, she worries that her friends won't come because she's different. But as she delivers invitations, she discovers that everyone has something that makes them unique.
Written by Katherine Lockwood, a passionate disability rights advocate, therapist, and former teacher and school counselor, 'Everyone's Invited!' is inspired by her daughter Rose's journey. This heartwarming tale empowers children aged 4-8 to embrace differences and foster compassion.
After reading 'Everyone's Invited!', continue the journey with 'OUCH!', 'OOPS!', and 'OH NO!', where each book imparts essential social-emotional skills and empathy lessons, providing valuable tools for families and educators alike.
No one is perfect. We all have something that makes us different from other people. Maybe the difference can be spotted with the naked eye, or perhaps the uniqueness is hidden by clothes or housed internally. Rose, a sweet owl, is nervous about her upcoming birthday party. Instead of focusing on cake and party games, she can't help but be anxious about her sight issues. Rose has to move her head from side to side to see. An act she hasn't seen anyone else display. Rose believes no one else is different; it's just her. Rose's Mama assures her, "Everyone is different in their own way," and plans to prove her point as they deliver the birthday party invitations.
As Mama and Rose flew across the park, their first stop was at Lorelai's hollowed-out tree. Rose asked the hedgehog if they agreed with Mama's statement that "we are all different." Lorelai pointed out that they have a trach, which helps them breathe, so yes, they agreed with Mama. Those unfamiliar with a trach should be able to spot it in the illustration. (My apologies if the animal is not a hedgehog. I really couldn't tell.)
As the owls continue delivering the invitations, readers meet many animals and discover what makes them unique. Ally, the adorable kitty, uses a wheelchair while Sloan, the swan, waddles in pink casts. What makes Dakotah, the raccoon, different can't be readily seen. The sweet animal disclosed that it gets nervous in crowds and noisy places. Many people, like myself, will relate to their anxiety issues.
We all read stories with animals as the main characters, but I can't think of another story that spotlights animals with feeding tubes, trachs, or speech impediments. Cats and dogs in wheelchairs? Sure, but not the other three I mentioned. Everyone's Invited! focuses on "kids" who are not represented in children's books.
While the story contained a few challenging words for the writer's intended audience of 4—to 8-year-olds, the page dedicated to Moebius's syndrome included several: congenital, strabismus, and hypotonia, plus a few more. I advise checking out the web link in the book and learning more about the condition. The character's page also featured words children might be unsure of, such as a cranial nerve. The QR code may expand on (potentially) uncertain terms as we meet the children who inspired the characters in the book. You won't know unless you use it, so use it!
While I adored the story idea and illustrations, the book could benefit from a glossary. Second, make sure every animal's common name is listed. I mention this because of my educated guess regarding Lorelai being a hedgehog.
Everyone's Invited! radiates positivity. It promotes being kind to others, helping others in need, and loving oneself—all great messages! I recommend sharing it with your family or class.
Stay tuned for three more books in the series: OUCH!, OOPS!, & OH NO!
Each picture book is geared towards pre-K through third grade to help reduce bullying through social-emotional learning and perspective-taking.
Reviewed by
I've been constructing reviews for over a decade and don't plan on stopping anytime soon. Most of the reviews will be featured on my blog (Kam's Place), Pinterest, Instagram, BlueSky, and Goodreads. Don't forget to tip your waitress! :D
Synopsis
Join Rose the owl as she learns about kindness, friendship, and self-love in 'Everyone's Invited!', the first installment of the multiple award winning 'A World of Difference' series. As Rose plans her birthday celebration, she worries that her friends won't come because she's different. But as she delivers invitations, she discovers that everyone has something that makes them unique.
Written by Katherine Lockwood, a passionate disability rights advocate, therapist, and former teacher and school counselor, 'Everyone's Invited!' is inspired by her daughter Rose's journey. This heartwarming tale empowers children aged 4-8 to embrace differences and foster compassion.
After reading 'Everyone's Invited!', continue the journey with 'OUCH!', 'OOPS!', and 'OH NO!', where each book imparts essential social-emotional skills and empathy lessons, providing valuable tools for families and educators alike.
About the author
As a disability rights advocate, mental health therapist, and educator, Katherine is passionate about disability representation and inclusion in children’s literature. Growing up with cystic fibrosis and diabetes, she understands the profound importance of seeing disabled people represented. view profile
Published on July 25, 2024
Published by Acorn Cottage Press
0-1000 words
Genre: Children's
Reviewed by
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