Belong

Belong by Sharon Seymour, illustrated by Freya Goldsmith (WestWords Children’s) HB RRP $24.95 ISBN: 9781923044678

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

A large, vibrant bird longs to ‘be like everyone else’, to become invisible, to blend in. But it soon learns that ‘belonging’ isn’t about pretending to be something you’re not – it’s about befriending others by being kind and caring. Only then can a true connection be made.

Told with a sparing use of text, Sharon Seymour’s story shines a spotlight on our fundamental need to find our tribe and fit in. Children aged three and older will feel the story rather than read it, as the well-chosen words pluck at their heartstrings and gently guide them towards the simple yet significant conclusion.

Freya Goldsmith uses colour to isolate the protagonist from its more muted peers, but this also links the lonely bird to concepts associated with rainbows, such as love, hope and happiness. When the bird rescues a little penguin, brightly hued butterflies herald the new joy that this budding friendship brings.

A beautiful book about building relationships, Belong is perfect for any child who has struggled with exclusion and the emotions that this can evoke. It leaves the reader with a quiet optimism that even in the wildest places, kindness can create kinship.