Wherever You Go

by Alexandra Penfold, Suzanne Kaufman (Illustrator)

From the creators of the bestselling All Are Welcome comes a modern and inclusive picture book that celebrates the many milestones of a child's life ranging from a school play to graduation with an emphasis on kindness and community.

Where will you go?
Who will you be?
I savor the moments
that you’re here with me.

Follow a set of kids and their families through the big and small moments with colorful illustrations and beautiful, rhyming text--a book that parents and teachers will love reading over and over to their kids--both young and old.

With a gorgeous fold-out spread, this is a great gift for any occasion, but a stand-out for graduation with its loving and inspiring Wherever you go, whatever you do. I want you know I’m so proud of you.

Genres: Picture Books, Love, Childrens, Poetry, Family, Mental Health, Fiction

48 pages, Library Binding

Published March 12, 2024

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn’t a bad read but it feels more sentimental for adults than for children. It wants to lend itself to readers as a good selection for storytime but I think that the theme of graduation takes away from that. It makes it feel more boxed in that way.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Add this attractive picture book to a collection featuring childhood milestones and one suited for an elementary school graduation. The colorful, energetic artwork, created with acrylic paint, ink, crayon, and collage in Adobe Photoshop, features primary colors that almost throb off the page in a similar fashion to this creative team's previous books. The text highlights the conditional love parents and caregivers have for their offspring while also wondering what the child's future will be. This is not rendered in a negative light but full of positivity and anticipation while remembering those important moments that many adults cherish--the first step, celebrations, learning to swim, first school day, riding a school bus, trick-or-treating, performing in a school play or musical, and finally, moving up from elementary school to the next level, all of which are depicted in the illustrations. There's even a vertical gatefold to lift on the next to last page. Each page attests in visual and textual fashion that this child, these children, are loved beyond words. Happily, the illustrations feature a diverse cast of characters and different types of families, making it a wonderfully inclusive book and school.

[Jthe YSLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a great book for a child graduating an elementary grade. It's a reminder of where they've been and growing up into "big kids."

This has wonderful diversity among its illustrations (which is no surprise to those familiar with this series). There's a lot of racial diversity, caregivers of various ages, various orientations represented among the caregivers, etc. I like that one of our leads uses a wheelchair and that we see them using a lift to get into a pool (so often disability rep is kind of a background thing).

Something that is kind of ironic/sad is that when you get to the page with all the classmates, you see all of this wonderful diversity... but it's hard to not notice that they all have the same body type (there are different heights but they are all thin). Anyway, that's kind of a bummer.

[Ellon · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars (It was okay)

I'm going to sound like a jerk but here we go...

I do like the message of this book and the diverse people included. However, I feel like this was a book that was made to be sold for elementary graduations (like how people give Oh, the Places You’ll Go!) and I loathe elementary school graduations.

I also just found it to be too saccharine for me.

I'm legit disappointed in how I don't like this book more than I did since I really like the other books in the All Are Welcome series. Oh well, I guess you can't be the target audience for everything!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple phrases or 1-2 simple sentences per page. Rhyming text. Diverse in terms of age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, family type, and ethnicity. Hand-drawn illustrations, kind of old school. Colorful but the pages have a lot of white space. A lot of different activities are shown. Takes the reader through a kid graduating preschool or kindergarten? Showcases the love of caregivers/parents for their children! Has one page that folds upwards to make the image bigger.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This inspirational book celebrates the uniqueness of individuals and the choices they make. It lets the individual know that others are proud of them. Written with rhymed verse, it is accessible for young readers and encourages joint readings. The book ends with fold out pages of a kindergarten graduation as the caps flies upward. The paper cover doubles as a poster.

[Kjersten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wherever You Go is the sort of picture book you might want to give a graduate of kindergarten or a graduate of high school—such a sweet and happy send-off book. A great book for giving well wishes to a kid at the threshold of something new.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring book in this series. The affirmation comes through clearly that every child is loved and encouraged to grow and be who they are meant to be. The brightly colored artwork in inclusive and brings the characters to life.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this for our daughter on her high school graduation. It’s sappy and sweet and probably more for us than for her. But it said exactly what we were thinking and feeling. We did hide $200 in small bills among the pages so that part was at least exciting for her. 😆

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rhyming picture book about the people you meet wherever you go and the inclusivity of the community you move through. Celebrations and milestones as the child grows up in his community. The parent supports and shows their love of the child as each goes through new activities.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book from Alexandra Penfold. This one shows kids' graduation, but mostly it's just about all different families and grown-ups loving their unique kids no matter what. Super inclusive illustrations. A celebration of positive, unconditional love of friends, family, and community.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

a solid life-affirming book that ends with a graduation in words and pictures--that really narrows the occasion considerably...which is a bit annoying because of how good it is.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be an absolutely lovely story to read if you had children!

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

soooo Good!!

[Kelly]

I really liked the message of this one. Would make a great kindergarten graduation present!

[Madison LibraryBookFamily · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite new graduation book. Full of love and diversity! Must add to school library to read at end of year.

[Richard Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for teaching reading. Somewhat esoteric character lesson.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice addition to the series. A gift from Ryan and Cara.

[Cydney Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightfully colorful and emotional read for parents and caregivers alike.
Definitely a wonderful book for those embarking on preschool and all the wonders they might experience.

[Rolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely tribute to the power of cross-cultural friendship and community.

[Seras23 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a very cute “I love you no matter what” kind of book for parents to read to their kids. It’s a sweet book.

[Sara Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, but definitely meant for a graduation.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A preschool and up book about being excepted wherever you go.

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would make a perfect baby shower or graduation gift in the lines of Oh, the Places You'll Go! and The Wonderful Things You Will Be.