Welcome

by Barroux

The follow-up to Barroux's stunning and critically acclaimed Where's the Elephant? and Where's the Starfish? When Polar Bear and his friends are swept away from their icy home, they hope to find refuge in a new land. But when they are turned away from one new place after another, they start to doubt that they will ever find somewhere they will be made welcome. In this exceptional book, author-illustrator Barroux has crafted a powerful story with a twist ending about hugely important and current issues. A great opportunity for parents to discuss with children the plight of migrants and refugees, as well as global warming, in a gentle, open-ended way. "With a reassuring twist, this exceptional and very current book should be read to young children everywhere." (Picture Books Blogger). "Barroux tells his story with a light touch and a sprinkling of humour, which takes nothing away from the message." (The Bookbag).

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Storytime, Friendship, Geography

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 18, 2016

About the author

Barroux is a Paris-based illustrator whose work has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and elsewhere.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

When their ice floe becomes separated from the mainland, and begins to drift through the sea, three polar bears begin to look for a new home, hopeful to make land before their temporary abode melts altogether. But everywhere they go the current residents are unwelcoming. Will these three ursine refugees ever find a place where they are welcome...?

Inspired by the Syrian refugee crisis in Europe, French artist Barroux created this lovely little picture-book which pairs his colorful artwork with a simple tale of three wanderers looking for a home. Barroux has addressed ecological themes in previous picture-books - Where's the Elephant? , Starfish, Where Are You? - so I thought it was appropriate that he examined a human problem through an ecological lens. Casting his refugees as polar bears - which called to my mind the sub-plot involving the polar bears in Philip Pullman's marvelous fantasy trilogy, His Dark Materials, who flee their arctic home when it can no longer support them - is also an excellent choice, because it allows this story to be interpreted in multiple ways. Read in human terms, it is the tale of refugees who face an unwelcoming world, but read in naturalistic terms, it could be the tale of animals being impacted by climate change. Recommended to all fans of Barroux's artwork, as well as to anyone looking for children's stories that address the refugee experience and/or ecological change.

[Chadi Raheb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fascinating illustrations! The story? Meeeeh :/

[nAeEMak نعیمک]

این کتاب در ورق‌برگردانش می‌گوید که کتاب با الهام از «بحران» پناهجویان سوری نوشته شده است. این نکته می‌تواند یک تیغ دو لبه باشد برای اینکه محتوا صرفاً بر فرم غلبه کند که این اتفاق خیلی هم می‌افتد یعنی اصل موضوع یا حرفی که می‌زند باعث شود بگوییم کتاب خوب است یا اینکه بدتر از آن فکر کنیم خیلی کار مهمی کردیم و با این حرفی که زدیم دیگر اثر مهمی نوشتیم و تبدیل به شعار شویم.
در همین اول بگویم که این کتاب این طوری نیست و برای همین هم مهم است. کتاب اتفاقاً خیلی واقع‌بینانه دارد به ماجرا نگاه می‌کند. اینکه در یک کتاب کودک به موجوداتی مواجه شویم که مهربان نباشند شاید عجیب است اما همین نکته است که کتاب را برای ما ارزشمندتر می‌کند. یعنی نشان می‌دهد که فرق کسی که می‌گوید «خوش‌آمدید» با بقیه چی هست! تصاویر کتاب خیلی زیبا است و این سفر تلخ به بهترین شکل تصویری نشان داده شده و اتفاقاً جایی که کودک این کشف و تفاوت را متوجه می‌شود و فقط برای مخاطب برزگسال دغدغه‌مند یا روشن‌فکر ننوشته شده.

[Christina Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deceptively simple yet timely story for young children everywhere. Three polar bears lose their home due to climate change so set off in search of somewhere new to live. Unfortunately, everywhere they go they are met with suspicion and unfriendliness as the other animals complain that they are too different or there isn't enough space.
Particularly affecting, I thought, were the giraffes, who continue sipping their drinks and pretending they cannot see what is happening (how many of us have been guilty of remaining ignorant about the challenges faced by refugees and others in the world and just focusing on our own lives?)
A great book to introduce themes of tolerance, respect, consideration and to springboard into a discussion about being a refugee and human rights.

[SilverNediya · Rating 3 out of 5]

بیشتر بابت تصویرهاش و بعد، خرس‌های سرگردان دوستش دارم

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3 STARS

(Review Not on Blog)

Some Polar Bears are looking for a new home but nobody will let them live with them. They have until the ice melts.

[Mary Goldermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome is my diverse children's book. This book is about welcoming immigrants, these polar bears live on ice when suddenly it breaks they have to find a new home. They travel to these different islands with different animals living on the islands asking them if they could stay but these animals did not welcome the polar bears to their home. Until, they found an island with no other animals but as soon as the polar bears landed on the island some monkey's asked the polar bears if they could stay and the polar bears welcomed them to their home. How I would read this book out loud is to read the story with emotion. For example, the polar bears are scared because they go through dangerous waves my voice reading the story is going to sound scared. Another way I would read this book out loud is asking the children questions. For example, in the story "I spy with my little eye, something beginning with W...." (Barroux, 6). I would ask the kids, "what words begin with the letter W? Could it be whales? or could it be water?" Then I would turn to the next page that has the answer to my question. This is a picture book.

Barroux. (2016). Welcome. NY, NY: Little Bee Books. Print.

[Di · Rating 3 out of 5]

Καλό παιδικό βιβλίο για το προσφυγικό θέμα αλλά και το θέμα της κλιματικής κρίσης. Η εικονογράφηση απλή και “παιδική”, νομίζω ελκυστική για παιδιά χωρίς όμως κάτι το ιδιαίτερο ως τέχνη. Η ιστορία δείχνει την άρνηση πολλών γηγενών να υποδεχτούν πρόσφυγες με τρεις κλασικές στάσεις, ανάμεσά τους και ο ρατσισμός, όμως δεν είμαι σίγουρος αν περνάει με κάποιο τρόπο στα παιδιά προσχολικής ηλικίας αυτό.
Δεν μου άρεσε το ότι η στεριά που βρήκαν τελικά οι αρκούδες ήταν έρημη. Δε νομίζω ότι περνάει καλό μήνυμα αυτό, ούτε ελπιδοφόρο. Δηλαδή τι; Πρέπει οι πρόσφυγες να βρουν κάποια άδεια γη; Και μόνο αυτοί που ήταν πρόσφατα πρόσφυγες υποδέχονται άλλους πρόσφυγες/μετανάστες; Ευτυχώς, παρόλο τον ρατσισμό που καλπάζει πανευρωπαϊκά, υπάρχουν πολλά παραδείγματα ανθρώπων και κοινοτήτων που καλωσορίζουν τους πρόσφυγες και μετανάστες.

[Sue Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life is peaceful for Polar Bear and his friends, until they hear a CRACK and suddenly he and some friends are separated and drift away on a piece of ice. They need to find a new home and after a while spot land! 'Hello Cows! May we live here please?' 'Sorry', comes the reply, 'you are too bear-ish.' So they float on, aboard their ever diminishing piece of ice, to another spot, 'Help us!', they call, but the Giraffes can't be bothered to look, instead ask each other to 'pass the tea'.

Eventually they find a new home and when three monkeys come looking for room....they are....WELCOME!

Perfect message, about many things. Very funny illustrations and the blue of the sea is incredible.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three polar bears are cast off when their iceberg breaks away from their friends. Along the way they find lots of other places to live, but no one welcomes them in these new lands. They finally find a deserted island and live alone, until three monkeys sail by looking for a new home. Welcome! The bears and monkeys live together!

[Carina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute book with lovely, colorful illustrations. At first glance, it’s a book about polar bears who need to find a safe home. Obviously, adults will wonder if the author is implying something about climate change or about welcoming immigrants. A book that can definitely lead to a bigger discussion if you want it to.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite new storytime find this year! It worked well in toddler. And preschool story times, has an opportunity to remind the use of phonemic awareness when reading, animal sounds, counting, and predictions, not to mention the message of welcoming. So many chances to move and act out! Read as part of our series on (im)migration.

[Viviane Elbee]

A group of polar bears find themselves drifting in the sea on a melting block of ice, and they come across various islands. Each time they are not welcome... but finally they find a new place to call home. The new lands look way too warm to actually be good living places for a polar bear, but it is a cute and funny tale.

[Ashley]

This is a great book that opens conversations with children about migration, refugees, and climate change. The polars bears are pulled from their home when and ice cap breaks away and experience different lands with different animals who all show different levels of engagement and willingness to welcome them.

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of three polar bears who are forced to find new home after the ice breaks off. This story reminded me of refugees looking for a new home. Could also be used for global warming. Longer sentences and deeper concepts would make this better for an elementary read aloud.

[Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un album percutant, métaphore de la situation des réfugiés d'aujourd'hui. Plutôt facile d'accès et très révélateur sur le comportement humain face à une crise aussi importante que celle que nous vivons aujourd'hui. Épatant!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, lovely story that could teach kids empathy about accepting refugees into the country. Fantastic for parents who want to start a conversation about welcoming refugees with very young children, though it works well on its own as a pleasant little story about some polar bears.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three polar bears are on ice that breaks free and they float away on the ocean. They can't find a new place to live because wherever they stop they are not welcome. Finally they find an empty island until lost monkeys come ashore and ask to stay.
Cute story with fun illustrations.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5, but rounded up. A cute picture book parable about the world's refusal to allow refugees in their countries. I just hope people realize that it's basically a true story, just told with polar bears instead of people.

[Mia J · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adventure-filled book about three polar bears that drift away from their home, searching for a new one. They find different areas of land, but the inhabitants keep pushing them out, even if they have the space. This is a great book that encompasses some views on recent events and immigration!

[Mahgol · Rating 5 out of 5]

How much today's world needs this message. We need to understand what this book is trying to convey more than children.
being open and involving
and if we go further not being racist
that is a great book with a profound message

[Eefje Vangangelt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ik las dit boek tijdens het Bevrijdingsfestival. De ijsberen drijven af, en zijn nergens anders welkom. Totdat zij een eigen eiland vinden. Als er dan daarna apen langs komen, vragen zij of ze mogen blijven. Zij zijn welkom!
Thema's: smelten van ijs, buitensluiten, welkom zijn.

[Jacki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute! Polar bear storytime possibility. It's reader's choice on whether or not to explain in depth why the polar bears are looking for a new home.

[Heidi Goehmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable illustrations, fun and witty storyline that encourages inclusion and acceptance of people who look different than ourselves.

[Virginia Massignan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read during story time at the Little Shop of Stories - Decatur with Emma

[Emma Luna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read during story time at the Little Shop of Stories - Decatur with mom and dad

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about acceptance. Could lead to a great discussion.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book about global warming, friendship, and finding a new home.

[Angelina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Some polar bears are in trouble and not everybody is willing to help.

[RosaDG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Polar bears are drifting on a piece of ice and are forced to find a new home, but it is not easy. Nice
drawings.