cover image Together

Together

Mona Damluji, illus. by Innosanto Nagara. Triangle Square, $12.95 (44p) ISBN 978-1-64421-084-0

This board book by Damluji emphasizes the ways in which the collective can offer more than the singular in simple, spreads-spanning phrases that range from the more physically evident (“One voice sings a tender song// And when voices sing together/ they make harmony”) to the more emotionally abstract (“One of us can love with all our heart// And when we love together/ we build community”). The repetition of “One...// And... together” establishes a rhythm ideal for readalouds while emphasizing interconnectivity, strength in numbers, compassion, and justice. Nagara’s recognizable, textured style offers spreads united by an enigmatic frog motif and featuring people of varying abilities, ages, skin tones, and religions; many spreads centering togetherness emphasize the warmth of interpersonal relationships. Ages 3–7. (Oct.)