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Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
Kindergarten might seem like a small chapter in life, but for Sophia, it’s a turning point full of quiet courage. Not Everyone Walks the Stage by Sierra Andrews and Nicholas Seidler tells the story of Sophia’s first year of school—kindergarten. But this isn’t just a typical school story. Although it starts in typical fashion, we soon see that this is a story about how Sophia overcomes her toughest days and dreams of crossing the graduation stage with her classmates. There’s a bit of a twist at the end—one that’s meaningful—but the story focuses more on her joy of learning and quiet strength, which is shown through the wonderful illustrations by Alisa Tverdokhleb. From the first page, Sophia’s story reminds us that bravery isn’t always loud, and success doesn’t always wear a cap and gown.
As an educator, I found this book both heartwarming and incredibly useful. Sophia is a relatable character, and the situations she goes through are authentic, especially the nervousness she feels on her first day. I especially appreciated the way the book handles topics like repetition of a grade or different learning needs with honesty. There’s even a thoughtful section at the end designed to spark conversations between kids and adults about different abilities, empathy, and inclusion. Not Everyone Walks the Stage by Sierra Andrews and Nicholas Seidler encourages kids to celebrate each other’s paths, no matter how different they might be. It’s clever, kind, has great illustrations, and belongs in all libraries that children can access.
