All We Need: A Story of Kindness and Gratitude

by Kathy Wolff, Margaux Meganck (Illustrations)

For fans of All the World and Love, a poetic story that celebrates the littlest things we all need to be happy -- and the beauty of sharing with others when we have more to give.

Each bustling day in our busy world, we can take a moment to appreciate the little things. From the simplest essentials like air and water to the wonderful warmth of family, friends, and neighbors, there is so much in life to be thankful for.

Kathy Wolff's melodic verse and Margaux Meganck's lush and cozy city scenes follow three families through moments of daily discovery and joy, culminating in a celebration of community and giving.

When we have all we need, plus a little to spare, the only need left . . . is to share.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Storytime, Friendship, Cultural, Young Adult

40 pages, Hardcover

Published June 22, 2021

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So well-written, the words just trip off the tongue (or would, if you were to read it aloud).

I was glad that learning is in there with the necessities like food and water!

And the final page, the final culmination is what brings out the best in people, surely.

Lovely, lovely book.

[Dee Dee G · Rating 4 out of 5]

The narrator’s voice is so soothing.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book explores what we need to live. That includes essentials like air, food and water, then the book also explores the importance of learning opportunities, having a home, and the joy of family and friends. Told in poetic text, the book explores the necessities in ways that show how they bring special moments to our lives. For example, air is explained first as stillness and deep breaths. Food is explored both for filling bellies but also through the illustrations as cultural connection. This picture book takes simple essentials and shows the way they allow us to form community and inclusion.

Wolff’s poetic writing establishes those connections clearly, exploring the deep connection we have to air, water, food and one another. The book ends by establishing what we should do when we have enough or more than we need. Sharing becomes just as essential as the other elements here, connecting to new people and a larger community through generosity and giving.

Meganck’s illustrations are bright and colorful with a diverse cast of characters, including diverse races, religions and LGBT representation. The illustrations tell a lot of the story, showing playful elements of air and water. The images are given several full-page wordless spreads that reveal new ways to connect and form community with one another.

A look at sharing, connection and being human. Appropriate for ages 2-4.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, easy picture book about essential needs. There's a little bit of a guessing game component that relies on following the rhyme scheme and figuring out the clues. Books about needs vs. wants are surprisingly rare, and even this one only deals with half that equation. But it's a good starting point! There's also a somewhat meditative quality about acknowledging and appreciating all the essential things we have. In story time I might end up mentioning that while we have access to clean air, clean water, food, shelter, schools, etc., not everyone does. I might put together a list of kid-friendly ways to help out our local and global communities so that I'm not just saying, "Yup! For some folks it's bad! Byeeeee!"

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comforting, reassuring book about appreciating the basic necessities and joys of life (air, shelter, learning, food, community). I think adults will probably enjoy this more than kids--though kids will probably get something out of it, too. The illustrations are warm and welcoming, showing people throughout all stages of life and cultures.

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a rhyming book that would be a perfect read-aloud for Grades K-1. The main idea is a focus on all the things we really need in life. It is beautifully illustrated and comforting. It really shows a reader all the necessities and blessings provided right here on our planet. Highly recommended for Grades K-5.

[Kirin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75
This lovely rhyming lyrical book focuses on needs that unite all humans in the text and vibrantly shows them played out in the beautiful diverse illustrations. I was particularly pleased to see a visible Muslim family included frequently in the story as air, water, learning, home, food, family and friends, and sharing are celebrated. The 40 page hardback book, shows the joy of the characters interacting with each other, even though the text is about the needs we have. This allows the book to work in multiple settings, appeal to a larger audience, and keep readers and listeners engaged at story time, and bedtime alike. I've read the book numerous times to my four year old, and we have discussions that focus on the science aspects of the concepts, what is happening in the pictures, brainstorming what else can be a source of knowledge or what else we can do with water, and the like. It really is impressive how the book holds his intention and connects him to larger concepts.

[Saritza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a picture book to read, and re-read, and share with your kids' friends and read in the classroom, at the dining room table, on the floor with your furbabies, in the car on the way to volunteer. The beautiful illustrations by Margaux Meganck really bring this lyrical text to life in such an evocative way that you'll find yourself smiling throughout.

We all need these things: air, water, education, food, homes, family/friends, but we don't all have access to these things, or may even take them for granted. Seeing the joy in each of the kids' faces while they play in the water, learn about the world around them, and share time together was wonderful but what I loved most was the true diversity portrayed among the families.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this would be a beautiful story to help spread the message of kindness and generosity this time of year.
📖 Take a journey and rediscover all of the wonderful things that we often take for granted. The air that we breath, the water we drink, a roof over our heads, are truly the things we need. Then sometimes when we have everything that we need plus a little to spare, the best thing we can do is share.
📖 I adore this book and plan on sharing it often with my little ones. It’s such a beautiful reminder to be thankful for all that we have been given and to spread the love whenever possible.

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a lovely book — beautiful illustrations, diverse families represented within the illustrations, repetitive text and the idea of what our basic needs are as humans. I found the ending endearing: “When we have all we need, plus a little to spare . . . The only need left . . . is to share.” I am excited to get this book for our school library, so I can share it with my students! I definitely recommend this book!

[charlene.librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet title expressing the basics of what we need to live a decent life. The multiethnic/multicultural representation is what is normal for me and something that is important for all families to see. Wolf has written a lilting rhyming text that conveys the gentleness she no doubt intends, and the illustration fits well with its charmingly rendered children, families, and friends. "The only need left is to share."

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a series of short rhymes that let children guess the different basic necessities we need and helps the reader remember that when we have these things, and a little more to share, we should feel incredible gratitude. A great reminder about what things are really important and how much we take for granted.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Bloomsbury Picture Books through Picture Book Palooza.
A bit disjointed delivery for an important message. Wolff shares the most important pieces of life from air to caring to sharing with others. The illustrations capture the joy and blessing involved in being part of community.

[Susan Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids learn better with rhyme. And this is essentially a book on civics and economics. What we need... isn't very much. And when we can recognize what we need and how much we appreciate it.. and our families and communities--then, that's pretty significant. And very special. And exquisitely well done. <3

[Abby Peskin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book - it's a very unique presentation of the things we need from day to day - food, water, home, etc. presented in poem form. And the simple message of the book is that those are the only things we NEED - and when we have enough the goal is to share with those who don't have enough. What a great message to impart to young children.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 5 out of 5]

6/26/2022 ~ I think this would be a fascinating book to read with students at the beginning of the school year. Use as a springboard for conversations about what we need to feel safe and accepted in our classroom communities - What should be considered for our classroom norms (not guidelines or rules)? Do we need things that aren't mentioned? Are there things we need that fit under this umbrella?

[Monica Bertram · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet book. It had lots of rhyming which would be fun for a child to read. The pictures were colorful and portrayed the text in a calming way. The text explained to the reader to focus on the simple things in life. The tone of this book brings a sense of comfort to the reader. I feel like students would enjoy reading this book.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Bloomsbury books for the digital ARC. This is a good book to kick off a discussion on wants and needs. I liked the simplicity of this book and how it shows us what's really important and it includes diverse characters too.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Age: Preschool+
SEL: Gratitude, Appreciation

A calming presentation of the essential needs in life: air, water, education, a home, food, and family & friends. And when we have met all these needs, or have an overabundance, the next thing to do is share.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

"And when we have found that we have all of these, when our cup trickles over, when we're well and at ease, when we have all we need, plus a little to spare... The only need left... is to share."
I love the message about basic needs and community in this book. A 2022 Caldecott contender.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

"when we have all we need, plus a little to spare ... The only need left ... is to share."

Poetic text discusses the simple needs in our life like water, air, food, a place to live and a chance to learn. Beautiful.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely rhyming text describing all the things we need: air, water, home, learning, friends & family. Soft illustrations, gentle narrator in the read along version. Not necessarily a Thanksgiving Day story, but definitely all the things to be thankful for.

[Olivia DeVore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I thought it was such a good read for children who struggle sometimes to just calm down or even just need help appreciating the things around them. I know even as adults this book can be a good reminder.

[Ashley Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like that this book focuses on what we need not what we want. The poetry was easy to read with a good pace. The illustrations were good because they showed a diverse set of people helping each other.

[Sophie Boggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this picture book! It is a simple book that discusses what we need is life like food, water, air, family, and more, which I think is a great topic to children to read about. I also liked the illustrations that were in the book.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for this picture book that reinforces that we have "all we need" without looking to material possessions

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story.

[Reagan Kapasi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice diverse characters, book drives home the idea of needing less and sharing what you have

[Michelle Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this beautifully written reminder that our needs are few.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and very simple book about needs and sharing.