This book is about the different ways that students to help each other as well as support one another throughout the school day. The author does a great job showing how these small acts of kindness like standing up for someone, respecting others, etc. Be a Bridge was a very diverse book as there were children from all different cultures represented in this book as well as children who use wheelchairs. The illustrations in this book are amazing and wonderfully done and the reader could tell that the illustrator took time to learn about the different aspects of the cultures that were included in the short story. This book covers everything that I remind my students constantly to remember to do throughout the day. This will definitly be a book that I will be purchasing for my classroom.

I look forward to purchaing this book and usuing it in my classroom. Many thanks to the aurthor, publisher, and NetGallery for an advanced copy for an honest review.

This book was so refreshing to me! This isn’t a book with a hijabi just as token diversity (nothing wrong with muslims in the illustrations, it does make me smile, but this book just felt so authentic and it is due to the illustrator being a hijabi muslim herself!! Truly #ownvoice rep matters!!)

Genre: Picture Book
Ages: 5-8
Available: Amazon (August release date)

I loved how this book started with a quote from Rumi, and related the theme of building bridges between people with the theme of rainbows (bridges of light and water).

The book offered practical SEL advice on how to build bridges, which includes steps on being the first to welcome someone new, inviting others to play and respecting their right to refuse, standing up to bullies, respecting religious beliefs, acknowledging the messiness in life, listening to others, being confident, being present, and being with a community!

Rainbow shoelaces in this story represent inclusivity (as referenced in the author’s note) and the book teaches kids to be kind to each other.

The rhymes were wonderful and the illustrations AMAZING!!

And my fave part: this is the first book I have ever read in which it is addressed that there are Muslims who don’t play music, and the book shows that others should respect that right and be understanding of it both through the words and the pictures! This is such wonderful representation and messaging!!

I also loved how the hijabi girl made duaa before eating and the book emphasized respecting other’s religious practices.

The awesome thing in this diverse book is that no color, race, or religion was othered. The hijabi girl was not the new kid from another country, she was part and parcel of the community. And so was everyone else on the book, part of the wonderful loving community experiencing life together!

An adorable book and one I can’t wait to preorder and read to my kids!

I think this book is a beautiful reminder, and possibly a first introduction to children that we need to be kind and love one another no matter our differences. In a volatile world like today, its so easy to turn to negativity and hate, and I think this book is the perfect way to break things down on a child's level that we are all the same on the inside.

Be A Bridge has beautifully illustrated images within a story about acceptance and bravery. The images include fantastic inclusivity and representation. It shows children ways to be kind and support classmates. Be A Bridge is a book I would choose for my home.

A Bridge is Love. This book is everything I tell my kids daily. A reminder to be a bridge from mean to kindness, sadness to happiness, from hate to love.

What a perfect book for the world we live in!

This should be on every child’s shelf and read often as it’s message is so beautiful.

I loved the attention to different cultures and beliefs.

We can all be a bridge for each other to love, grow, and create a better world.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Very colorful, gorgeous illustrations. A great message conveyed without too many words cluttering the pages!

This is a cute children's book about being kind to everyone. The drawings were so inclusive and the message was so positive! Definitely a great book for children to read.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.