All Other, Together is a mini-masterpiece in the making, brought to life through my collaboration with seventeen artists.

 

All Other, Together is a foundational picture book created for young children and the adults who read to them. Its mission is to nurture early empathy, self-worth, and the joyful celebration of life—helping the youngest readers feel connected, hopeful and capable of great kindness.

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With such simple words, we are reminded of a basic truth: we are all temporary beings of equal value on a shared planet that requires our care. From the simple reminders in this book and the beautiful imagery, we experience a reverence for the shared value of all life—from the tiniest insects to the vast, magical universe in which our shared home planet thrives. If we can ensure such kindness is instilled from early on—and not allowed to be wiped out by the prejudices and unkindness of our surroundings—we can raise adults who will challenge the ‘isms’ in our societies, eradicate overlooked hierarchies, and foster celebratory inclusivity.

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Growing up, many of my books were companions of comfort and hope. I hope with All Other, by nurturing this basic but fundamental goodness in young readers and their adults, that readers will be reminded we all deserve love, care, and the right to be our authentic selves.

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All Other, Together invites us to address our prejudices without shame, guided by self-awareness and empathy, so we can contribute ourselves as kinder beings to the world. This book advocates for us to celebrate what is unique, to cherish what unites us, to welcome what challenges our views, and to value what we learn from each other. It encourages us not merely to tolerate our perceived differences, but to celebrate them. It asks us not to be scared of opposing ways of being or to hide from the shadows cast by history's acts of hatred, but to confront them with courage and compassion.

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We are all ‘the other’ to one another. Accepting this truth allows us to cultivate a genuine desire to understand one another, acknowledging that we are part of this together, not at the centre looking out. We must look inward and continue to question our attitudes and subtle prejudices, choosing to remain open and curious, and deciding each day to become better people.

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Instead of working with one illustrator, I am collaborating with seventeen different artists to bring each page to life. When visualising the images for each page, they each had such distinct styles. The answer revealed for how to proceed was to work with multiple people to bring the visions to life and to showcase the work of different artists. For All Other, Together, each artist will create a double-page spread. Every page turn continues the text, accompanied by a unique image that complements the book's message in the artist's distinctive style. This celebration of artistic voices mirrors the book's celebration of individual self-expression and champions our collective joy for the blessing that is life.

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Thank you for taking the time to learn about All Other, Together.

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From one 'other' to another,
Rose

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P.S. If any children wish to contribute their art to All Other, inspired by a page of the book or its message, please send it to rose@opalinequill.com with your name, and I'll upload it here on the website.