When a fun day splashing in the water with his Turtle buddy ends in tears, a Little Bear feels sad and confused. He knows that when his "brain feels too excited, his body just goes POW!" and that can hurt his friends. But he doesn't know what to do differently. With the help of a Little Frog, Little Bear is able to gain confidence in his body awareness skills. He learns about body boundaries, taking deep breaths, practicing empathy, checking in with his body's needs, and problem solving for safer solutions. With more skills, he is able to regain Turtle's trust and together they enjoy the Animal Party!
As is the signature of the Everyone's Included in the Animal Party series, each page has recommended reflective questions to engage young readers to connect with the character's emotions and challenges. The book is designed to encourage children to problem solve and elaborate on their feelings and coping skills with or without the guidance of a supportive adult.
Grounded in relational cultural theory and inspired by conversations with the author “Aunt Kiki’s” toddler nephew, Everyone is Included at the Animal Party is a series of stories created for little ones to learn socioemotional skills in the context of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The theme is complex, but Greene skillfully simplifies it, offering reflection questions adult readers can use to guide discussion. As Little Bear practices interacting with his environment, a wise Frog serves as his mentor, prompting him to consider the impact his behaviors can have on others—a process that Greene mirrors through the adult-centered questions included throughout. When Frog explains the tangled concept of boundaries to Little Bear, adult readers are encouraged to have kids brainstorm boundaries Turtle can set in their play; when Frog details the “Animal Party Pact” of respecting others’ physical boundaries, adults are given prompts that explore why it’s crucial to ask others before touching them.
K.K.P. Dananjali’s brightly hued, entertaining illustrations bounce readers through a colorful, inviting world that, though sprinkled with some hefty learning moments, is a celebration of how exciting life can be with just a little forethought. Little Bear’s a quick learner, and he and Turtle eventually reunite with their other pals for a boisterous, pool-splashing romp that kids will love. Greene closes with a list of the top five body aware rules for young readers to master, alongside a gentle reminder that “when we’re having fun, our bodies should feel safe too.”
Takeaway: Delightfully crafted lesson on boundaries and safe play.
Comparable Titles: Jenny Simmons’s I Can Say No, Emily Nelson’s Can I Give You a Squish?.
Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A-
Editing: B+
Marketing copy: A
