Great for fans of: Alexandra Penfold’s All are Welcome, Jess Hong’s Lovely.Standing in front of the mirror, head tilted. Takeaway: A delightful, vibrant picture book that urges kids to embrace what makes us each unique. Activities at the end of the book offer an additional avenue for young readers and their caregivers to interact and develop cultural appreciation and form the foundations of a lifelong appreciation of how differences deserve celebration. Though simplistic, the theme will likely prove most appropriate for children at the higher end of the age range, given the slight complexity of certain concepts, including languages and cultural norms. There are points, however, where the images convey stereotypical representations (such as kids of the world dressed to represent their individual homelands) that may prove problematic for some audiences.

The inventive, dynamic illustrative techniques appeal throughout the book. While the largely simple and straightforward vocabulary and easy style make for perfect bedtime reading, the unpredictable rhythm and unexpected cadence changes (“We come from different countries and places, have different faces, and represent all races, but all people are beautiful”) may trip readers up. Repetition of the title also helps to drive the message home. As the text references different languages spoken by a wide variety of people, the pictures reflect that with representative translations of the word “hello.” The introduction of these diverse concepts and international flair offers an excellent educational opportunity regarding the expansion of horizons. One of the book’s highlights comes close to the end. The bright, engaging pictures, which cover a diverse panoply of races and phenotypes, are as eye-catching and educational as the text. Focusing on differences between people rather than the commonalities readers might expect, Kelly’s sweet story looks at the narrator’s wide variety of friends and their disparate hobbies and backgrounds, while declaring that the things that make individuals unique are precisely what makes them interesting. With a cheerfully shifting rhythmic style and colorful, exaggerated illustrations, Kelly’s ( The Awesome Things I Love), a life lesson book for young readers, bursts with delight for both children and caregivers.

Jess hong lovely