When read forward and backwards, this clever and thought-provoking
flip-it story demonstrates that there's more than one way to think about
someone who might seem "different" at first glance.
It isn't
easy to say hi to someone new,
is it?
Told from the perspective of a student, The New Kid Welcome (or
Welcome the New Kid when flipped) presents readers with two versions
of what happens when a new kid joins the protagonist's school.
In the first half of the book, the student tells us that they don't want
to be nice to the new kid or welcome them into their group simply
because they seem different. In the second half, the same lines of the
story are placed in reverse order. When read this way, the student
encourages us to say hello to someone new, saying they will share their
table and snacks.
With a simple flip of the story, feelings of intolerance give way to
those of inclusion and kindness. Precise, thoughtful text and inclusive
illustrations combine to create a perfect tool for promoting acceptance
and a kinder world.
After all...
It is
easy to say hi to someone new,
isn't it?