We Are All Under One Wide Sky

Children all over the world coexist “under one wide sky,” a phrase that serves as a uniting refrain in this inclusive counting picture book. Wiles offers rhyming couplet portraits in short lines that feature flora and fauna (“Seven moonflowers open wide.// Six crickets creep inside”) as well as interpersonal relationships (“Three kisses, soft and sweet// Two sleepyheads fast asleep”) in a narrative that counts from one to 10 and back down again. Employing an earth-toned palette and a bird motif, Stegmaier adds dynamic illustrations in a friendly style rendered in both traditional and digital media. Children with varying abilities, cultural apparel, hair styles, religions, and skin tones mingle amid international landscapes, from Paris to Santorini to Australia’s Uluru. Young readers will appreciate poring over the plentiful details in the art, while adults will appreciate this counting picture book’s multipurpose use as a bedtime story and encouragement toward global citizenry. Ages 4–8. [em](June) [/em]