With gorgeous multimedia paintings-and-collages by acclaimed artist Mary GrandPre, James Preller'sAll Welcome Here promises to be an evergreen gift picture book for children about to take the big leap into their first days of school.

The bus door swishes
Open, an invitation.
Someone is not sure . . .

The first day of school and all its excitement, challenges, and yes, anxieties, are celebrated here in connected haiku poems. A diverse cast of characters all start--and finish--their first days of school, and have experiences that all children will relate to.