Belonging

Belonging is a wordless picture book that tells its story through detailed collage illustrations. Through a series of window views, it shows the transformation of an urban landscape over time. The narrative follows changes in an Australian neighborhood across multiple years, with each spread depicting the same view at different points. The window frame remains constant while the scene beyond it evolves with the community's efforts. The book documents how small actions by individuals can lead to significant environmental changes in an urban setting. Through its environmental and community themes, Belonging explores the connections between people, nature, and the spaces they share.

Readers emphasize the book's powerful environmental message and emotional impact through its wordless format. Parents and teachers note its effectiveness in teaching children about urban renewal and community action. Readers appreciate: - The detailed collage illustrations that reward repeat viewing - How it demonstrates positive change is possible through small actions - The accessibility for non-readers and ESL students - Its use as a teaching tool for environmental topics Common criticisms: - Some find the message too subtle without text guidance - A few note the pacing feels slow for younger children - The abstract concept can be challenging for pre-K students Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (90+ ratings) Reader quote: "My students were captivated by the transformation shown through the images. It led to great discussions about what we can do in our own community." - Elementary teacher on Amazon Many reviewers mentioned successfully using it in classrooms from K-6 for units on environment and civic engagement.

Window by Jeannie Baker This wordless picture book follows changes to a natural landscape through a window frame over time, similar to Belonging's theme of urban transformation.

The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton The story tracks a country house as its surroundings transform from rural to urban over decades.

Journey by Aaron Becker A wordless picture book depicts a child's discovery of how human-made and natural environments interact through magical elements.

The Curious Garden by Peter Brown A boy transforms an abandoned railway into a garden that spreads throughout a grey city, showing the revitalization of urban spaces.

One Small Place in a Tree by Barbara Brenner The book reveals how a single tree becomes home to multiple species as nature reclaims space in an urban setting.

🌿 Jeannie Baker spent three years meticulously crafting the collages that appear in "Belonging," using natural and urban materials like bark, leaves, and newspaper clippings. 🏘️ The book tells its story entirely through wordless images, showing the transformation of an urban landscape over a 50-year period when viewed through the same window. 🦋 Each detailed spread in "Belonging" contains hidden elements for readers to discover, including subtle changes in wildlife and vegetation that reflect real ecological processes. 🎨 The author created the artwork by building up layers of mixed media, photographing each completed collage to create the final images used in the book. 🌍 "Belonging" was published in multiple countries under different titles, including "Window" in some regions, and has been used extensively in environmental education programs.