I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A good message about being inclusive. The illustrations are good. I wish the cover was a bit brighter.

The art was very cute and I appreciated the overall message of promoting inclusivity. I felt the actual text was a bit on the didactic side for my personal taste, however there’s a place for those kind of “message” books so I don’t hold that against it. It probably wouldn’t be the first I would choose for storytime, but I would select it and promote it within the library.

All Families Invited (2019), written by Kathleen Goodman and illustrated by Jo Edwards, is a thoughtful look at the exclusivity of gendered school events, in this instance father-daughter dances.

The protagonist, Annabel, lives with her mother and does not have a father. Annabel soon realizes she isn’t alone. One of her friends lives with his two moms, another with an aunt and uncle; all three children are excluded from the dance. Annabel knows it isn’t right to exclude so many children and families.

On her way home from school she gets and idea – she’ll rename the event the Family Fall Fest! The next day at school she experiences resistance from the principle who uses the word “tradition” to warrant keeping the original name and policy. Annabel is hurt. After school she tells her mother about the situation. Her mom suggests she try again. This time, Annabel writes the principle a letter explaining why including everyone at the dance is important to her. The principle tears up when he reads it and agrees to change the name of the dance, so all are welcome.

The characters are as racially diverse as the family forms represented. I love that young Annabel recognizes injustice and has the confidence to act. I also appreciate the inclusion of adversity. Sometimes adults need convincing when it comes to doing what is right!

I highly recommend this book for school and classroom libraries. It is appropriate for children five to ten and likely to spark conversation, and perhaps empower children to identify and resist problematic policies at their schools.

*I received an ARC through NetGalley.

I LOVE this book. I especially like how they don't say "her dad isn't around" or "her dad isn't in her life" but simply said "she doesnt have a dad" and just saying that in a children's book is so important! I love how they talk about one child having two moms as well!! Such a great and inclusive book, It's perfect for all children to read!

I loved the message of inclusivity that this book promotes! I also loved how the main character had the gumption and drive to make a change when something just didn't sit right with her. I love when children fight for what they believe in!! This is such a positive book for young kids to teach them about diversity and open-mindedness.

All Families Invited was an amazing book full of diversity, empowerment and activism. One young girl decides that a certain school event excludes lots of people and it doesn't feel good to her. When she tries to handle it on her own the first time, the results were not great and not what she hoped for. BUT, she didn't give up. The lessons here are big: if you really believe in something, you need to find a way to stand up for it and dig in in a way that helps others to see your point. Exclusion, intentional or not, is never acceptable.
I loved this book and can't wait to share it with my classroom.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

what a great book for kids!

every family should read this to their kiddos.