Together: A Book About Community

Elise Gravel very clearly and succinctly shares with readers what it means to be part of a community and why it’s important in her new picture book, Together: A Book About Community.

Being part of a community is important. Communities keep us safe, secure and keep us strong. Elise Gravel talks readers through what community means and how we can be good community members through this simple, child-centred narrative.

Elise Gravel writes and illustrates very powerful picture books to help readers understand topics that are at the forefront of the news media in a way that is easy for them to understand. Throughout Together, she shows readers what good communities can look like, feel like, and sound like and also how communities can be strong when we speak up and help our neighbours.

At a time when there is so much division all over the world, Elise Gravel’s work is like a north star, helping to build readers who are socially conscious and who understand that strong communities make everyone happy and safe.

I appreciate how the illustrations in the book are non-descript blob creatures so that all readers can feel seen and understand that we all have an important role to play in shaping good communities. The characters are warm and friendly and make this story one that is important to have on classroom and library shelves. The simple language means this book can be shared with readers from birth and up to ensure we are supporting and educating our youngest community members on how to be good citizens.