The Welcome Chair by Rosemary Wells and Jerry Pinkney - OPTIONAL

The Welcome Chair by Rosemary Wells, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. PICTURE BOOK. Paula Wiseman (Simon), 2021. $18. 9781534429772

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Follow the journey of a rocking chair, from its carving by a Jewish immigrant in the early 1800’s to the hands of refugees from the Middle East in modern America.

Wells starts her book with a family story of the chair, which passed out of their family in the 1910’s, imagining the rest of the chair’s journey. Pinkney uses a muted palette and an old-fashioned feel to his illustrations. As a long-form read, with denser text, I can see a teacher using this to discuss parts of the American immigration experience, decorating the classroom with the word “Welcome” translated into many languages. Otherwise, I don’t see children picking this up on their own.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS