What do you think?
Rate this book
Plus forts ensemble
Quelle que soit notre apparence, ce qui importe, c'est la bienveillance. D'ailleurs, n'est-on pas plus forts ensemble?
33 pages, Hardcover
First published May 26, 2020
1 person is currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
Susan Vaught
30 books205 followersWebsite: http://susanvaught.com
astrology sign: Libra
favorite book: Harry Potter (all of them) and His Dark Materials
(all of those, too)
favorite song:I Will Follow You Into The Dark by Death Cab for Cutie
current pet total:12 if you don't count the chickens, peafowl,
turkeys, ducks, geese, pigeons, or guineas.
names of my schools:
Vanderbilt University (MS, Ph.D.)
University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) (BA)
Germantown High School (Germantown, TN 9th-12th)
Germantown Middle School (Germantown, TN 8th)
Can't Remember, but the mascot was a purple dragon (Sandy Springs/Atlanta Georgia, 7th)
Green Street Elementary (Tupelo, MS 6th) Frances Patterson was a very cool teacher there. I write because of her.
Pierce Street Elementary (Tupelo, MS 3rd-5th)
Can't Remember, but it was big (Corinth, MS, 2nd)
Oxford Elementary (Oxford, MS, K-1st)
University of Mississippi (Day Care, Playschool)
astrology sign: Libra
favorite book: Harry Potter (all of them) and His Dark Materials
(all of those, too)
favorite song:I Will Follow You Into The Dark by Death Cab for Cutie
current pet total:12 if you don't count the chickens, peafowl,
turkeys, ducks, geese, pigeons, or guineas.
names of my schools:
Vanderbilt University (MS, Ph.D.)
University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) (BA)
Germantown High School (Germantown, TN 9th-12th)
Germantown Middle School (Germantown, TN 8th)
Can't Remember, but the mascot was a purple dragon (Sandy Springs/Atlanta Georgia, 7th)
Green Street Elementary (Tupelo, MS 6th) Frances Patterson was a very cool teacher there. I write because of her.
Pierce Street Elementary (Tupelo, MS 3rd-5th)
Can't Remember, but it was big (Corinth, MS, 2nd)
Oxford Elementary (Oxford, MS, K-1st)
University of Mississippi (Day Care, Playschool)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
July 22, 2020
The illustrations in this book are fantastic. I like how the animals are realistically draw and their facial expressions are fun. What wonderful messages this book expresses.
There is a large barn where a variety of animals are safely tucked away during a rain storm. Snuggled inside, all the animals feel safe and secure. As the lightening scatters overhead and the rain pours down, a family of foxes is left outside. Discovering a light in the barn, the adult fox glances into the broken barn window as the barn animals stare up at her, their eyes wide. A fox! Some of the animals feel threaten by this predator and the message they send, is not friendly.
As the fox moves away from the window and returns to the family, the barn door is opened. Why? Good question. Who exactly opened the door, that is another great feature that I liked about this book. A beautiful illustration awaits me as I turned the next page.
The other animals watch from afar, as the brave animal approaches the fox. There is a line that separates them, a line that can be crossed if they are brave enough and ready to cross.
I really enjoyed the illustrations in this book. It’s a beautiful book! There were some strong messages in this book which could be applied to many situations in our own daily lives. The text and language that the author uses, was dynamic. Short, simple sentences composed of familiar words mixed with some more challenging words (dapple, prevails, gash, asunder). I’m going to have to pick up a copy of this one, I think my grandchildren will enjoy it.
There is a large barn where a variety of animals are safely tucked away during a rain storm. Snuggled inside, all the animals feel safe and secure. As the lightening scatters overhead and the rain pours down, a family of foxes is left outside. Discovering a light in the barn, the adult fox glances into the broken barn window as the barn animals stare up at her, their eyes wide. A fox! Some of the animals feel threaten by this predator and the message they send, is not friendly.
As the fox moves away from the window and returns to the family, the barn door is opened. Why? Good question. Who exactly opened the door, that is another great feature that I liked about this book. A beautiful illustration awaits me as I turned the next page.
The other animals watch from afar, as the brave animal approaches the fox. There is a line that separates them, a line that can be crossed if they are brave enough and ready to cross.
I really enjoyed the illustrations in this book. It’s a beautiful book! There were some strong messages in this book which could be applied to many situations in our own daily lives. The text and language that the author uses, was dynamic. Short, simple sentences composed of familiar words mixed with some more challenging words (dapple, prevails, gash, asunder). I’m going to have to pick up a copy of this one, I think my grandchildren will enjoy it.
July 29, 2020
Read for the Mock Caldecott Awards. Beautiful illustrations and a great message...that when we all pull together, we can make things better for everyone. I just didn't care for the way the message was written. To me, the pictures themselves told the story better than the written description.
June 24, 2020
When a storm blows in, the farm animals and wildlife take shelter together in the barn. There are pigs, goats, horses, cows, sheep, geese, cats, dogs, chickens, raccoons, turtles, turkeys, squirrels, mice and more! But outside in the storm, a fox family is caught in the rain after their home is flooded. The adult fox heads to the barn, carefully looking inside. She is sent away, the other animals saying that the barn is too full to take her in. But then one little yellow duckling steps out into the darkness and a connection is made. Soon all of the animals are inside drying off together. Other wild animals come later and more room is found, room for all.
Vaught writes here in simple paired rhyming lines that carry the story forward. She is incorporates interesting words into her poetry, such as “asunder” and “dapple.” They will have children stretching and building vocabulary in the most organic and natural of ways.
The illustrations are truly the star of this beautiful book. Filled with a compelling mix of two-page spreads, one page images and sometimes groupings of vignettes, the illustrations are detailed and just right to pore over. Murphy’s art gives each of the animals their own personality, showing clearly how attitudes change from the beginning to the end of the book. The final pages offer a wordless look at the farm after the storm with everyone happily mingling together.
A look at prejudice and inclusion in a way that all children will understand. Appropriate for ages 2-4.
Vaught writes here in simple paired rhyming lines that carry the story forward. She is incorporates interesting words into her poetry, such as “asunder” and “dapple.” They will have children stretching and building vocabulary in the most organic and natural of ways.
The illustrations are truly the star of this beautiful book. Filled with a compelling mix of two-page spreads, one page images and sometimes groupings of vignettes, the illustrations are detailed and just right to pore over. Murphy’s art gives each of the animals their own personality, showing clearly how attitudes change from the beginning to the end of the book. The final pages offer a wordless look at the farm after the storm with everyone happily mingling together.
A look at prejudice and inclusion in a way that all children will understand. Appropriate for ages 2-4.
September 3, 2020
A storm has come. All the farm animals are safe and dry in the barn. A fox family is in the rain, but one of the foxes approaches the farm animals. "Go away! We're full today!"
Then a little duck connects with the foxes and talks the other animals into accepting the foxes. In they come, and they are accepted into the community. "There is room, there is room, there is room...for us all."
And we as readers are left with a satisfying feeling of love and acceptance.
Beautiful pictures.
But I can't help thinking, should you really let a fox in with the chickens?
Then a little duck connects with the foxes and talks the other animals into accepting the foxes. In they come, and they are accepted into the community. "There is room, there is room, there is room...for us all."
And we as readers are left with a satisfying feeling of love and acceptance.
Beautiful pictures.
But I can't help thinking, should you really let a fox in with the chickens?
June 3, 2020
Cute book!
July 18, 2020
5 stars for the illustrations
Negative stars for the facile rhymes and anthropomorphization of animals that are predators and prey. (Good heavens! the page with the tight closeup of the fox and the baby duckling...SNAP!) This brings us to a total of 2 stars.
You can bicker with me all you want about this, and shout about the lovely message of inclusivity, and say what a horrid person I am to only see the dark side of this book. Personally, I think that books that take wonderful, tough messages about showing love, kindness, and caring towards others should not use predator/prey relationships on which to model this. It sets a bad tone. I KNOW that nothing untoward happened to the baby duckie.... And wasn't it sweet. Nope, not really.
Negative stars for the facile rhymes and anthropomorphization of animals that are predators and prey. (Good heavens! the page with the tight closeup of the fox and the baby duckling...SNAP!) This brings us to a total of 2 stars.
You can bicker with me all you want about this, and shout about the lovely message of inclusivity, and say what a horrid person I am to only see the dark side of this book. Personally, I think that books that take wonderful, tough messages about showing love, kindness, and caring towards others should not use predator/prey relationships on which to model this. It sets a bad tone. I KNOW that nothing untoward happened to the baby duckie.... And wasn't it sweet. Nope, not really.
August 1, 2020
A storm drives all the farm animals indoors except for a lonely fox family. The barn isn’t their home. But where will they go for safety?
This stunning picture books explores themes of acceptance and belonging:
Large or small,
Short and tall,
There is room,
There is room,
There is room
For us all. (less)
This stunning picture books explores themes of acceptance and belonging:
Large or small,
Short and tall,
There is room,
There is room,
There is room
For us all. (less)
September 28, 2020
Lovely illustrations for this book of hope.
November 30, 2020
This book has everything that I love-beautiful illustrations, animals of all shapes and sizes, and an important message about compassion and inclusion. The story begins with a dark thunderstorm passing over a country setting. The reader can see a scared fox looking for shelter and the warm glow of a barn in the distance. The fox tentatively peeks inside the window and sees many different animals gathered in the barn. This includes the usual farm animals, but also a raccoon, turtle, squirrel and even a frog. They all look through the window at the fox and tell her to “Go Away! We’re full today”. We see the fox retreat and then notice that she has three young ones. Just as she is about to leave with her family, a small duckling comes to the entrance of the barn and offers comfort. The other animals see this and offer shelter to the fox and her babies. Once in the warmth of the barn, we see the fox and her babies mixing with all the other animals. The last line of the book is “There is room for all of us.”
The illustrations provided by Kelly Murphy are simply beautiful! She includes animals of all shapes and sizes and captures the unique features of all these different animals. She is also able to capture the various emotions of these animals such as fear, concern, relief, and happiness
This book is perfect for children between the ages of three and seven. The reason I feel there is such a wide age range with this book is because of the message contained in the story. The message of compassion and inclusion in this book can be used as a starting point for some important discussions with young children.
The illustrations provided by Kelly Murphy are simply beautiful! She includes animals of all shapes and sizes and captures the unique features of all these different animals. She is also able to capture the various emotions of these animals such as fear, concern, relief, and happiness
This book is perfect for children between the ages of three and seven. The reason I feel there is such a wide age range with this book is because of the message contained in the story. The message of compassion and inclusion in this book can be used as a starting point for some important discussions with young children.
December 2, 2020
Kelly Murphy's beautiful illustrations, made with acrylic and oil paints (and gel medium), bring Susan Vaught's lyrical story-in-rhyme about a mother fox and her kits caught in a fierce thunderstorm to life. When the scared and wet family seeks refuge in a cozy and safe barn, the farm animals cry out, "Go away!/ We're full today!" After a little yellow duck leads the way and invites them into the barn, the farm animals's actions turn to "Drying tears./ Calming fears" ... and they discover that "Large or small,/ short and tall/ ... there is room .../ for us all." Sweet and kind, this is just the kind of book children need in today's turbulent times.
August 19, 2020
We all need a bit of help from our friends.
Subject: Thunderstorms -- Juvenile fiction.
Domestic animals -- Juvenile fiction.
Animals -- Juvenile fiction.
Community life -- Juvenile fiction.
Fear -- Juvenile fiction.
Subject: Thunderstorms -- Juvenile fiction.
Domestic animals -- Juvenile fiction.
Animals -- Juvenile fiction.
Community life -- Juvenile fiction.
Fear -- Juvenile fiction.
December 15, 2020
Glorious illustrations, simple poetic text, and a powerful message that we ALL belong!
January 10, 2021
Beautiful illustrations. I feel the book would have been better without the text
April 5, 2021
Together We Grow is a beautifully rendered picture book. One stormy night, a family of foxes wonder where they can find warmth and a place to stay dry. The barn is crowded with all the farm animals, but foxes don't belong among the domesticated animals.
Fear sets in as they search for a place. A small chick approaches them and invites them in. There is a place for everyone. The foxes enter the barn and aren't a threat to the others. Pigs, cows, horses, geese, raccoons, rabbits and foxes bed down for the night because together they grow.
The message is clear: there is a place for everyone. Everyone is accepted and welcome. Together we are better.
The illustrations will steal your heart. The animals' faces are expressive and lovely. Rhyming text captures the foxes' plight and the animals' delight. This is a MUST HAVE, MUST READ for every child, every parent and every adult. Buy this book for the child in your life.
Highly, highly recommended ages three and up! Read all my reviews for picture books, YA, MG and adult at Young Adult (Adult, MG, and PB, too!) Books-What We're Reading Now
Read
December 2, 2020Wow, this is a really pretty book. Great story and great illustrations, but it is Kelly Murphy, so of course the illustrations are good.
January 23, 2021
Beautiful book, very simple rhyming text. Lovely illustrations. Would work well in a toddler or preK storytime.
November 30, 2020
Every person should read, and LIVE by this book. It’s just what our world needs right now. There will FOR SURE be a library lesson on this- for all grade levels. Simple and inspiring.
January 22, 2021
This is such a cute story.
A simple story, some page only have a few words. But the illustrations are gorgeous.
A simple story, some page only have a few words. But the illustrations are gorgeous.
December 11, 2020
pictures better than text
January 18, 2021
This book is adorable and has a sweet message about welcoming everyone. I absolutely love the illustrations.
February 6, 2021
These are utterly extraordinary illustrations, images that will engage and enthrall audiences of every age. The minimalist rhyming text allows the images to carry the burden of a sort of parable about the struggle of survival and acceptance among all life forms, even those that could consider themselves incompatible at best and enemies at worst.
In a world that desperately needs more empathy and kindness and acceptance, the world needs this book just as desperately.
In a world that desperately needs more empathy and kindness and acceptance, the world needs this book just as desperately.
August 4, 2025
Joli album en rimes sur l'acceptation de la différence. Un peu court, sans nuances
October 30, 2020
I loved the simplistic story paired with really pretty illustrations in this book about making room for everybody.
June 13, 2020
A truly beautiful book about inclusivity and the incredible need we have for each other. Beautiful illustrations.
November 23, 2020
A very powerful and beautiful book! What makes it particularly stand out are the wonderful illustrations, which is the reason why I am giving this book 5 stars.
March 9, 2021
Great illustrations, wonderful message, "meh" rhyming text. This might have been more fun as a wordless book (sorry Ms. Vaught...)
August 23, 2023
Nope. Being kind and inclusive is important. However, the animals in the barn living together are herbivores. The only other carnivore I noticed was a small snake which was making its way toward the barn near the end with some other animals like an opossum family. A hungry fox, regardless of their recognition or appreciation of kindness, will eat any of those little animals, including the duckling/gosling. [See the fable about the turtle and scorpion.] Using prey/predators as a stand-in for prejudice or unfounded assumptions about danger does not work.
The message appears to be that children should welcome predators into their homes if the conditions outside are challenging. There was no implied discussion about "friends not food" (as in Finding Nemo or temporary truces for the benefit of the community (as in The Wild Robot), just an implication that the "adult" animals were closed-minded and mean.
This book is beautifully illustrated, and the rhymes mostly work, but I can't get past the unaddressed prey/predator relationship. Needs lots of scaffolded unpacking.
The message appears to be that children should welcome predators into their homes if the conditions outside are challenging. There was no implied discussion about "friends not food" (as in Finding Nemo or temporary truces for the benefit of the community (as in The Wild Robot), just an implication that the "adult" animals were closed-minded and mean.
This book is beautifully illustrated, and the rhymes mostly work, but I can't get past the unaddressed prey/predator relationship. Needs lots of scaffolded unpacking.
June 8, 2020
Beautiful oil and acrylic illustrations can't quite save this one for me. The text is rhyming but too sparse and a little nonsensical. The message of inclusion is sweet, but as other reviewers have mentioned - animals need to eat other animals to survive. And, if this is an extended allegory, I'm not sure I want to know who we're calling foxes? I loved these illustrations but I think the message was a little heavy-handed.
September 22, 2020
I believe in messages of peace, but a fox taking shelter in a barn with a WHOLE lot of animals who he would cheerfully murder and consume? Maybe I just have too much experience with foxes but give me Fox Went Out On a Chilly Night instead. And that duckling who invites him in, man that is a cry for help. Get that duckling some therapy
August 20, 2020
Very beautifully illustrated picture book whose message is that we can all help each other in a time of need. I wanted the text to be stronger - the illustrations by Kelly Murphy are very strong glue, however.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews