We are all neighbours by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman

A lively colourful look at a neighbourhood and all of its inhabitants will catch the eye of early readers as they peruse the detailed illustrations and listen to the spare text. A neighbourhood is a community of different people, and when new children move in the local children take them around the streets to show them what is there but also to tell them that everyone is welcome. The refrain, ‘we are all neighbours here’ appears every few pages, marking the end of a stanza of rhyming lines which tell the newcomers about the community in which they now live.

Words like meet and greet, work together, smile and laugh, belong, sharing and so on set the tone of a cooperative community in which everyone shares. A diverse community is shown with a range of ethnic backgrounds depicted, making up a community where support and kindness, sharing and love is apparent as everyone is welcome.

This gloriously positive book shines with possibilities as children appreciate the sentiments shown. They will look at their own neighbourhoods alive with the thought of being inclusive and welcoming, friendly and sharing. They will look again at what their community offers them and new comers, assess how welcoming they are when new people join them, and think about ways they can encourage everyone to feel part of their neighbourhood.

An engaging positive model of good neighbourly behaviour will be part of any school’s promotion of inclusivity and community.

Lively illustrations promote those places within a community which are shared places, encouraging people to join in: libraries, schools, playgrounds, cafes, community centres, all figure prominently.

And there are pop up cars, lots of balloons and street music to enjoy.

This book follows on from two others, All are welcome, and Big feelings, which promote similar themes of positivity.

Themes: Community, Neighbourhoods, Diversity, Inclusivity.

Fran Knight