WE ALL BELONG written and illustrated by Gianna Marino

I adore a book that has powerful underpinnings revealed through a simple plot. Writer-illustrator Gianna Marino gives a sterling example in WE ALL BELONG. The story begins with connection through finding similarities: a lonely mule and rabbit have ears that are alike while rabbit and beaver both have big teeth. Other animals—duck, deer, fox find commonality as well. And then Bear enters, filling a double-page spread, an imposing animal who seems at first to have nothing in common with others and begins to wander off the page. But the once-lonely mule notices the imperfect alignment of other animals and Bear is happily included because, ultimately, “No matter what we look like…We all belong.” The last illustration shows a large animal group snuggle. You can find a link to this book in the purchase button below.