Not compatible with kindle; the images were not complete and scattered the writing. However the sentiment of the very short story was lovely.

A repetition of the message of the main R J Palacio novel, which serves very nicely as a picture book for the very young. Only once is there much more than twenty words on a spread, the illustrations certainly hit the spot, and the message is hammered home in case the emerging reader has picked this up for themselves. Other people, however, may wonder (pun intended) when something actually new is going to come from this writer, what with several tie-in novellas and now this, all set in the same world with the same characters. This is decent enough, but does have to go down as a little bit of franchise-flogging.

Auggie and Daisy are reunited for this stunning picturebook, bringing his message of "Choose Kind" to a new generation of readers.

The mesmerising illustrations tell as much of the story as the carefully chosen words, a story of acceptance, tolerance and understanding. Just because we don't all look the same, doesn't mean we can't learn to see differently.

I can't wait to use this book with my book clubs from Year 2 - Year 6!

Great for children of all ages.

Stunningly illustrated and captures the shining heart of the original novel. A must have for any young child.

What a super book. It is perfect in introducing our differences and uniquenesses to each other. A lovely book for younger children. Special in all manner of ways.

We're all wonders is based on R. J's previous middle grade story Wonder and carries an important message to young children in a simple way.

We're all wonders teaches children to be kind to one another and that although we may look different on the outside we should treat everyone how we ourselves would want to be treated. It also shows that everyone is unique and everyone is a wonder so everyone should be celebrated as such.

The illiustrations definitely added to the story as they are bright and vibrant and give a visual representation of the words and concepts which young children can understand.

I would definitely recommend this book for any parent wanting to teach their child about kindness or anyone who just wants another insight into the life of Auggie

Bravo, RJ Palacio! A beautiful accompaniment to the novel Wonder. I am a huge fan of the original novel and use it as a class reader with my students. As a teacher in a school for students with additional needs I like to introduce subjects of relevance. While the majority of students can access the original novel, this would be wonderful for the students who are less able.

The illustrations are bold and eye-catching and the text is simple yet strikes a chord with the reader. I love the idea that we need to change the way people see not the way we look. This is such a powerful message - one that many adults could stand to understand also!

I would recommend this title for parents, educators, children and adult. Its message is powerful, simple and clear. We are all the same regardless of appearance. In today's body-obsessed culture I think this is an invaluable lesson to learn.

I read Wonder by R.J. Palacio not long after it was released in 2012. In case you missed the Middle-Grade phenomenon when it first came out, Wonder is the story of Auggie, a 10 year old with a facial disfigurement, going to school for the first time after having been home-schooled. It took the book publishing world (and classrooms) by storm with its message of acceptance and kindness. A sequel, Auggie and Me, was released in 2015, and now R. J. Palacio has written and illustrated a picture book version of Auggie’s story, to help bring the message to a younger audience.

In terms of visuals, the book is gorgeous. Auggie’s design is based upon the front cover of the original Wonder, the simplistic style cleverly explaining Auggie’s disfigurement (and thus his difference) without being sensationalist. The colours are bright and engaging, the characters are engagingly drawn. It is a beautifully drawn art object which would definitely catch the attention of children either in the classroom or at home.
As for the story, it’s less of a narrative stand-alone story and more of an explanation of some of the difficulties Auggie experiences due to people’s perceptions of him- how they laugh at him or talk about him.

It’s a very direct approach and in some ways I would have rather had a narrative with a plot. There is also part of me that wonders how I would have felt about this book if this was my first exposure to Auggie’s story. Would I have been as immersed in his world and feelings as I was? I’m not really too sure… and in that case how will younger children who are not the target audience of the original Wonder understand what Auggie is going through. However, the accompanying pictures really do pull on the heartstrings and really are the main strength in the book- allowing the reader to really engage with Auggie and experience how the other children treat him.

At the beginning of the book a gallery of children’s faces is shown- meant to demonstrate the obvious differences between them and Auggie. However, what I liked about the depiction of these children is that there was a great amount of diversity within these children too in terms of race, gender, religion (one character wears a hijab) etc. It reflects Auggie’s later observance (during his trip to space in his imagination) that the world is full of all sorts of different people and this is what makes us all wonders.
I feel that this book would be great on a classroom/bedroom bookshelf for reading for pleasure but perhaps is best used first as a teaching tool (or discussion tool at home), really allowing the children to explore the themes of kindness and acceptance (thus getting around their lack of prior knowledge of his story) before then becoming an independent reading choice.

On my website version I also added teaching ideas to support teachers using this text in the classroom.

I don't understand why this had to be a picture book. It lost all the charm it had and just felt like some kind of commercial for a cheesy AD that I couldn't figure out the point of when it was done.

4★
Lovely idea to introduce the boy whose story was told for somewhat older readers in the author’s earlier book "Wonder".

Auggie is not called by name here, but WE know who he is. Well, we who are familiar with the first book do. This is a very simple prequel.

He’s only a little fellow here, which will help young children identify with his story. It will also help parents and teachers show kids that he likes lots of ordinary things that they like. He rides a bike and kicks a ball.

The artwork is based on the imaginative cover of the original book, and our little fellow says other kids make fun of him because:

"I just don't look ordinary. I don't look like other kids."

[I have included an illustration in my Goodreads review.]

But his mother says he’s a wonder, and Daisy, his beloved dog, thinks he’s a wonder, too! He imagines flying off in a rocket with Daisy, and the illustrations of him in space and visiting Pluto and some “old friends” who are certainly don't look ordinary either, except to each other.

He looks back at earth, and when he goes back, he hopes everyone can change the way they see.

“If they do, they’ll see that I’m a wonder.

And they’ll see that they are wonders, too.

We’re all wonders.”

[I have included an illustration in my Goodreads review that says: "Look with kindness and you will always find wonder."]

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin/Puffin for the copy for review from which I've selected a couple of illustrations.

I love Wonder, so I was excited to see how they would translate it for a younger audience. It worked really well, I thought - it carried the themes of the original book, the artwork is beautiful, and overall it's a great picture book.