The Boy Who Loved Everyone

Published July 2020 | Little Rebels Award Winner 2020 | Awarded a Christopher Award | Amazon ‘Teacher’s Pick’

Published by Walker Books
ISBN 9781406392876

On his first day of preschool, Dimitri's vocal affection for everything is met with wary reactions – until his guileless words begin to take root and grow.

Dimitri may be small, but his heart is as big and as open as a cloudless blue sky. "I love you," Dimitri tells his new classmates at preschool. "I love you," Dimitri tells the class guinea pig and the ants on the ground. "I love you," Dimitri tells the paintbrushes and the tree with heart-shaped leaves.

So why doesn't anyone say "I love you" back? Could love also be expressed in unspoken ways? In a familiar story of navigating the social cues of new friendship, author Jane Porter and illustrator Maisie Paradise Shearring offer a thoughtful tribute to the tender ones – those who spread kindness simply by being, and who love without bounds.

Order the book:

Waterstones
Waterstones
Bookshop.org
Bookshop.org
Find your local indie
Find your local indie
Amazon
Amazon

  • “A beautiful, deceptively simple and subtle exploration of self-expression, kindness, and, even, consent.”

    – Amnesty International

  • “A touching tale with a theme of emotional honesty and intelligence. Shearring’s diverse illustrations are a real joy, especially the lovely nursery teacher.”

    – BookTrust

  • “Shearring's mixed-media illustrations present simple yet vibrantly patterned spreads, with people of various skin tones and hair textures populating Dimitri's world. A gentle, resonant narrative for children navigating new social-emotional spaces.”

    – Publishers Weekly (starred review)

  • “Leaves fallen upon the ground, characters bundled in chunky scarves and sweaters, and a generous infusion of yellows and reds into each mixed-media illustration combine for a tender story of a child full of love learning the many ways it can be expressed. . .This snug lesson complements the many stories of shy children coping with their emotions in new environments. A loving tale.”

    – School Library Journal

  • “The child-friendly pictures reflect mood changes as they weave in and out of the day and into the next with bright colours and free line-work. This is a beautiful book; gentle, uplifting, full of love and kindness towards everyone. One to share with everyone!”

    – Mary Esther Judy, Fallen Star Stories

View all of Maisie’s books here.