The Welcome Book

by Danna Smith, Juliana Perdomo (illustrator)

From the creators of The Thank You Book, this board book celebrates the ways we can be welcoming and the importance of community.

If you meet someone new in the world today,
there is a very kind word you can say.
“Welcome!”
Welcoming somebody shows that you care.
You’re happy to see them. You’re glad they are there.

From inviting a friend to play to welcoming a new baby into the world, this sweet book celebrates all the ways we can welcome those around us—and shows readers that even small acts can have a big impact.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

24 pages, Board Book

Published January 14, 2025

About the author

When Danna was a child, her favorite “toy” was a pencil. Today, she is a poet and award-winning author of over twenty-five books for children. Danna lives in northern California with her husband, children, and grandchildren. For more information about her books and teaching activities, visit her website at www.dannadmithbooks.com.

Reviews

[Andrés · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like its cousin, The Thank You Book, The Welcome Book does a fabulous job of demonstrating tangible examples of a positive value being enacted in a diverse community when inclusion is most needed (eg new neighbor/friend/teacher, shared activities, physical/emotional hurt, new or returning family member, new plant or animal). The rhyming is delightful and the illustrations are cheerful and uplifting. I want to go out and welcome someone to something!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This board book is all about how to make others feel welcome and included - joining on the playground, welcoming a new baby, helping someone who is ill or hurt, inviting someone to join your lunch table, how to share the bike trail, working together, etc.
Illustrations are multicultural and multi-abled. Some appear as though they could (interpreted to) be non-binary. Not much age diversity; geared to youth.

[A Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple rhyming board book about welcoming others. Examples in the illustrations include people holding a "welcome" sign at the airport, inviting other kids to play, holding a newborn, and baking a treat for a new teacher. The book touches on friendship and kindness. I think this would be a good read for classrooms that are going to have a new student perhaps. I plan to add this to my library.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

a cute, unusual exploration of a word in community. nice diverse/inclusive rep.

[SamSamSam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fact that this focuses on a specific action (welcoming someone into a new space/social environment/etc) makes it stand out from other books that are about kindness in general.

[Tracy Mabry · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute and very sweet!