Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
W is for Welcome: A Celebration of America's Diversity
Illustrator: A collection of illustrators
Poetry and Nonfiction Picture Book Series
For ages 6 to 10
Sleeping Bear Press, 2018 ISBN: 978-1585364022
With the exception of the Native Americans, whose decedents came here many thousands of years ago, the people of the United States are either descended from immigrants who came to the country within the last few hundred years, or they themselves came here. For one reason or another they or their ancestors all came from somewhere else, seeking a new life in a country that was welcoming to immigrants.
Thus the Unites States has a melting pot society that is “A marvelous mix of everything.” Cultures have blended, and traditions have been shared. When you look at the things people think of as being quintessentially American, things like hot dogs, apple pie, blue jeans, and basketball, you find out that an immigrant was responsible for inventing it or bringing it to the United States.
The diversity that we find in American society is part of what makes it strong, and this book beautifully celebrates this cultural richness.
For every letter of the alphabet the author of this book explores the meaning of a word that is associated with diversity and immigration. The author uses both a poem and a section of non-fiction text to help his readers understand and appreciate the topics he is exploring.
For example, on the page for F he talks about freedom. Many people have come, and are still coming, to the United States so that they can be free to speak, protest, and worship as they wish. The page for the letter J looks at the journey that many immigrants have to make to get to the United States. In the past, and in the present day as well, immigrants often faced grueling trips to get to this country.
With wonderful illustrations on every spread, poems to share, and informational texts to read and think about, this book offers readers of all ages a look at one of the things that makes the United States so unique.
