Together We Grow

by Susan Vaught (Author) Kelly Murphy (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
 From award-winning novelist Susan Vaught comes a poignant picture book that celebrates inclusivity, acceptance, and the importance of rebuilding a community in the wake of disaster. Lightning gash! Windy lash! 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.
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Hardcover
$17.99

Publishers Weekly

Starred Review

Inviting dialogue about the need for inclusivity, Vaught (Things Too Huge to Fix by Saying Sorry) offers a lyrical narrative in concise rhyming couplets that are fleshed out in dramatic mixed-media illustrations by Murphy (The Slowest Book Ever). As dark clouds overtake the sky, farm animals dash toward a barn to take refuge from an impending storm: "Lightning gash!/ Windy lash!" Huddled together, the menagerie (which includes a few critters--frogs, raccoons, a snail--not usually associated with barn life) looks up apprehensively at a window where a fox appears ("Go away!/ We're full today!"). After one intrepid duckling ventures out into the lashing rain--and, in a stirring full-bleed spread, is seen face-to-face with the fox--the animals emerge to help usher the vulpine family into their dry sanctuary, where all--"Brindle and gray, / dapple or bay"--remain until blue skies return. Murphy makes effective use of shadow and light in pictures that convey the expressive animals' apprehension and eventual change of heart--and underscore the importance of trust and acceptance. Ages 4-8. (May)

Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

Starred Review

PreS-Gr 1-- A severe rainstorm lures a series of different animals, big and small, together for shelter in a barn. The fox family is initially shunned, as all the animals yell: "Go away! We're full today!" A lone duck, however, is brave and compassionate enough to approach them, demonstrating that to "learn and show together we grow" is the best approach. Ultimately, with acceptance, teamwork, and sharing during a catastrophe, "there is room for all." Vaught's spare, meticulous rhyming text perfectly complements Murphy's eye-catching illustrations, which begin with a striking blue sky severed by jagged white lines for lightning. The lone duck is illuminated in bright yellow-a positive touch about the enlightening power of kindness and compassion in the midst of gloomy dark danger. The phrase "together we grow" is a bit unclear compared to the more apt "love prevails" and "there is room for us all." Nonetheless, the overall message about working together effectively despite differences in times of need is a worthy lesson. VERDICT A truly inspiring picture book that will resonate with both children and adults.--Etta Anton, Yeshiva of Central Queens, NY

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

Inviting dialogue about the need for inclusivity, Vaught (Things Too Huge to Fix by Saying Sorry) offers a lyrical narrative in concise rhyming couplets that are fleshed out in dramatic mixed-media illustrations by Murphy (The Slowest Book Ever). As dark clouds overtake the sky, farm animals dash toward a barn to take refuge from an impending storm: "Lightning gash!/ Windy lash!" Huddled together, the menagerie (which includes a few critters—frogs, raccoons, a snail—not usually associated with barn life) looks up apprehensively at a window where a fox appears ("Go away!/ We're full today!"). After one intrepid duckling ventures out into the lashing rain—and, in a stirring full-bleed spread, is seen face-to-face with the fox—the animals emerge to help usher the vulpine family into their dry sanctuary, where all—"Brindle and gray, / dapple or bay"—remain until blue skies return. Murphy makes effective use of shadow and light in pictures that convey the expressive animals' apprehension and eventual change of heart—and underscore the importance of trust and acceptance. Ages 4-8. (May)—Publishers Weekly *STARRED* "April 6, 2020"
Susan Vaught
Susan Vaught is the two-time Edgar Award­-winning author of Footer Davis Probably Is Crazy and Me and Sam-Sam Handle the Apocalypse. Things Too Huge to Fix by Saying Sorry received three starred reviews, and Super Max and the Mystery of Thornwood's Revenge was called "an excellent addition to middle grade shelves" by School Library Journal. Her debut picture book, Together We Grow, received four starred reviews and was called a "picture book worth owning and cherishing" by Kirkus Reviews. She works as a neuropsychologist at a state psychiatric facility and lives on a farm with her wife and son in rural western Kentucky. Learn more at SusanVaught.com.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781534405868
Lexile Measure
370
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Publication date
May 26, 2020
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039220 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Values & Virtues
JUV039250 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emigration & Immigration
JUV002000 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | General
JUV074000 - Juvenile Fiction | Diversity & Multicultural
Library of Congress categories
Animals
Stories in rhyme
Domestic animals
Community life
Thunderstorms

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