I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

First off, I loved the meaning of this book! So simple and easy to follow and explain to children of different ages. It cited many ways you can be a bridge (being helpful, kind, brave, inclusive). There was a lot of diversity in characters and the illustrations were wonderful. A great book for readers of all ages!

A beautiful book about the superpower we all possess: the power of kindness. Easy to follow with great examples for young kids to follow on how to include everyone and pass along the gift of caring. Illustrations are engaging and help young readers access the message better. Inclusive artwork makes this book relatable for every reader. Further bridge building activities are listed at the end of the book along with the bridge builder pledge. A great way to start a school year to set a safe, inclusive class atmosphere.

This is a beautiful book that teaches children about diversity, kindness, and inclusivity. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, and my 4 year old twin daughters loved “reading” the book to themselves and scanning through all the pictures after we finished it.

This book contains valuable lessons about showing compassion to others and even standing up to bullies. My daughter remarked that, “if you see someone makin fun of other kids, you stand up straight and tell them to cut it out.”

I got choked up reading this beautiful book. Thanks to NetGalley and Lerner Publishing group for access to this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. I can’t wait to own a physical copy for our home library.

This book was super cute. Flowed nicely and taught valuable lessons. My daughter loves it because “it’s about standing up for people”.

I love this book! The illustrations are colorful and vibrant, and the message is beautiful: be kind to others, be welcoming to all, and be a good listener when others need to speak.

"Listening takes courage.
Let every voice be heard."

All the illustrations of the children going through their school day (art class, lunch, recess) are wonderful. I especially love the detail of the children eating diverse lunches together. This is something my daughter is currently having issues with at her school.

I will definitely order a copy of this for our home, and an extra copy for our diverse free little library.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

This book is absolutely beautiful! It teaches children how to “be a bridge” to be kind and inclusive to other friends who may not feel included. It’s such a powerful story for young children to start learning kindness and empathy at a young age. The rhyming helps kids pay attention and the illustrations help to move the story are beautiful. I also think this a good story to help children understand how important it is to be an ally.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lerner Publishing group for access to this digital ARC.

What a beautiful book. I'm so happy that the children today have an overwhelming supply of loving messages about acceptance and kindness and understanding. I can't wait to add this one to our shelves and gift it to our beloved teachers.

I received a free copy of this picture book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is all about spreading kindness to everyone and creating positive environments. The art is beautiful and diverse and teaches a strong lesson in kindness.

Be a Bridge is a beautiful and inspiring children's book with breathtaking and colorful illustrations. The message is essential in letting young children know how to be a friend, tune with feelings/emotions, display inclusivity, and welcome diversity.

As a kindergarten teacher, I do many friendship activities in building classroom connections. This book has it all through the pages and the pledge at the end and activities to finish it up.

I recommend this book and cannot wait to have it in my own school!

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

"A bridge is love. And love is you! Take a chance-imagine all the good you can do."

I adored this! A beautifully written story paired with equally beautiful illustrations. Be a Bridge is the perfect reminder that unity is intersectional. Being together as one, means being kind to everyone. This is going to be a staple in every classroom.

I loved this sweet picture book! An easy place to start with kids to teach them how to be includers and what that looks like. I would highly recommend this for all parents or librarians looking to teach children about inclusion and kindness.

Be a Bridge is a beautiful book in both its message and its art work. I know my first grade class will enjoying hearing it and discussing all the ways we can be a bridge to others through kindness, acceptance, and including others. Charles Waters and Irene Latham have written another treasure.

MY gosh! This book gave me such warm, fuzzy feelings! It showed a great diversity of characters (children using a wheelchair, a child wearing a hijab, racial diversity). It also had a really wonderful message about caring for others and advice for what to do in various situations. Very positive, much needed at this time in the world!

I absolutely love this story and everything about it! From the stunning artwork to the recommended activities and every word in between - I found this book to be a breath of fresh air. It teaches readers of all walks of life the importance of practicing kindness, encouraging peace, and being mindful wherever you go. I can see this book being used in schools across the nation as a read aloud any time of the year and will be adding it to my wishlist immediately!

Be a bridge! What a wonderful message for children! I loved that being a bridge stands for so many things such as being kind, lending a helping hand, comforting friends, respecting others and their beliefs.

The illustrations are so bright and beautiful and go well with the message in the story. I love how all kinds of people are represented in the story and can see so many people being able to relate to the characters in the book.

This is a great book for not just kids but adults too. We could all learn from the message included!

I love this book and 100% recommend every child read this book! It’s about being the change and making the difference. Not just being a witness. 5 stars :)

This is such a great story for teaching little ones what it means to listen to different perspectives, to be a friend to others, and to stand up against bullying. The illustrations are beautiful, and I love that the child in a wheelchair is really part of the class. I recommend for PK and K as they explore different aspects of social-emotional learning.

What a sweet book for younger children that teaches kindness, empathy, and respect. Both the illustrations and the text really do the theme justice.

The diversity in this book is very natural. As an educator, I also really appreciate the resources in the back of the book. Children will be very engaged while reading, and will feel empowered throughout.

5 stars, would love to read to my students!

This is a beautifully written and illustrated book. The use of rainbows to help build the bridge to show inclusivity was fantastic. This is a book we all need to read right now. We all need to come together and respect each other’s differences.

The inclusion of activities, other reading materials, and a pledge at the end was a great addition.

I look forward to putting this on my son’s bookshelf in the future. A very meaningful book for all children to have in their home.

The premise is a quote by Rumi, "Love is a bridge between you and everything," and the rainbow theme is used to show inclusivity, a symbol often synonymous with the LGBTQ+ community, but not one that is exclusive to one group or another. The book features a #muslimintheillustration and I absolutely love that she is not the new kid in class, and when she doesn't want to participate in a music activity that is ok. She is given space to make dua before she eats and she too is a good friend when someone is hurting. The kids model the suggestions the text is making on how to be a bridge of inclusion, kindness, community, and compassion. The illustrator is Muslim (#muslimillustrator) and the book a great way to help kids be better to one another by highlighting familiar, relatable scenarios and action plans to be bridges for others. Perfect for ages 4-8. #muslimsintheillustrations #2022 #islamicschoollibrarian @lernerpublishing