Everyone is Welcome

In a story that addresses anti-Asian hate, Everyone is Welcome by Phuong Truong and Christine Wei is a story that will help young readers think about their actions.

A young 9 year old girl loves her neighbourhood and her friends but she's noticing things that make her feel bad. Like when her mom tells her about being allied a racist name on the way to the corner store or when Mrs. Lee gets pushed into traffic while on her way to the Asian market. She turns her sadness into a way to help other people in her neighbourhood.

The increase in anti-Asian racism is well documented, especially since the pandemic turned our lives around. In this story, Phuong Truong addresses it head on. There are no euphemisms or flowery language to disguise the meaning. She distinctly points out many instances of hate and racism that too many readers will understand. 

I love the honesty of this story. When the mom tells her child that some people displace their anger and there is not much that can be done to change their minds is so accurate. We are seeing this play out in all spaces. I love how in this story, the little girl stays true to herself and her kind and caring nature and rallies her friends to help her with a special card for Mrs. Lee. Through stories like this one, readers begin to build empathy and an understanding how they can contribute to a safer world for everyone.

Christine Wei’s illustrations are bright and brilliant. I love how her work is a kaleidoscope of colours and objects. Her pictures are filled with many different hidden gems which makes it easy to return to the story often to discover something new. Although this is a bit of a sad story and the pictures are reflective of the tone, there is so much colour and light to remind readers that change can come through them.