• In America’s Dreaming, a new student finds inspiration from a Welcome Wagon full of books about belonging and kindness.

  • Our goal is to donate 100 Welcome Wagons to communities across the country to similarly help children feel seen and like they belong.

About the Welcome Wagon initiative:

The idea of a “Welcome Wagon” of books was inspired by similar practices like the Buddy Bench, which provides tools for students and teachers to adjust to difficult situations.

Every year, over five million children will enter a new school in the United States. Over 70% of children will change schools before high school. Almost 15% attend four or more schools.

There are long-term implications when a child does not feel welcomed in school. It has been correlated with increased depression, mental health issues and drop out rates. The impact is felt hardest by children of little means.

Much like the Welcome Wagon plays a key role in helping the new student, America, in AMERICA’S DREAMING, we hope these welcome wagons, filled with books about kindness and belonging, may also inspire children all around the country to stand up, be seen and feel like they belong – regardless of where they are from or what their gender, race, or class is.

Bringing a Welcome Wagon to Your Community:

There are three ways to bring a Welcome Wagon to your school, library or community organization:

  1. 1. Apply

    Apply to receive a donated wagon. We have funds available to donate one hundred wagons to communities across the country. If you represent a place in need of a wagon but low on resources, please email Bob at bob@galewill.com and we will send you a simple form to apply.

  2. 2. Purchase

    Purchase your own Welcome Wagon. Our partner, Booked Authors, can directly fill orders for our list of books at discounted prices. Wagons can also be purchased separately on Amazon. Activity sheets and lesson plans for children related to the Welcome Wagon can be downloaded below.

  3. 3. Build

    Build your own Welcome Wagon. Your school, library or community may already have many of these books on your shelves. Organizing a Welcome Wagon could be as easy as collecting these books together, finding a Wagon and placing it in a prominent location.

What’s in a Welcome Wagon:

At the end of America’s Dreaming, there is a list of recommended books that all share themes of belonging and kindness and there are assuredly hundreds more out there. The specific books included in any Welcome Wagon are almost secondary to the fact that one might exist. It signals to children that they are not alone, and that they are welcomed.

Below is a representative list of books to be included in each wagon:

  • All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold and illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman
  • America’s Dreaming by Bob McKinnon and illustrated by Thai My Phuong
  • Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
  • Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White
  • Darryl’s Dream by Darryl “DMC” McDaniels with Shawnee Warfield, Johnny Warfield, and Adam Padilla, and illustrated by Tristan Tait
  • The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by Rafael López
  • Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho and illustrated by Dung Ho
  • I Am Enough by Grace Byers and illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo
  • Las tres pequeñas locomotoras by Bob McKinnon, translated by Isabel Mendoza, illustrated by Lou Fancher, Steve Johnson
  • The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
  • The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
  • Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B. Schiffer and illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown
  • Wonder by R. J. Palacio
  • Finally, there is the wonderful Who Was? series. Each book tells the story of a real person—some of whom overcame not being welcomed. They include many of the characters who visit America in America’s Dreaming, such as Sojourner Truth, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Emma Lazarus and Amelia Earhart.

In addition to the books, you can also download copies of a themed activity sheet for children from Penguin Workshop, this lesson plan created by AmazeWorks and letters from  the author Bob McKinnon,  and from the illustrator, Thai My Phuong, where they share the inspiration behind the America’s Dreaming and the Welcome Wagon.

Finally, if you are interested in hosting an event (virtual or in person) with Bob McKinnon, the author of America’s Dreaming and creator of The Welcome Wagon, please reach out directly at any time to Allyson Hickey at Booked Authors (allyson@bookedauthors.com). These events can include readings with children or discussion/workshops with educators, volunteers and advocates.

Our Partners

We are excited and so grateful to be partnering with these fantastic organizations to help bring Welcome Wagons to communities across the country. If you are interested in becoming a partner, please reach out to Bob directly at bob@galewill.com.

Penguin Young Readers, the publisher of America’s Dreaming, is donating books and providing additional support to help get wagons to communities in need.

Welcoming America has helped select our first twenty communities to receive Welcome Wagons and promote the initiative as part of their annual Welcoming Week, beginning September 12.

Raising a Reader is hosting a webinar, Creating Belonging: Welcoming Students Back to School with Diverse Books, that is open to the public on Sept 5th and offering their partners the opportunity to receive a Welcome Wagon. One of their partners, Brilliant Detroit will be hosting Bob for an event on September 12th.

Radio Flyer is supplying their iconic red wagons and helping spread the word about the Welcome Wagon program.

Booked Authors is our bookseller partner who is providing discounted books and helping coordinate in person author events.

Our Communities:

The following communities and organizations have already been selected to receive a Welcome Wagon which will be introduced this September during Welcome Week, an initiative of Welcoming America.

Our Supporters:

The Welcome Wagon initiative is made possible through the incredible generosity of the following:

  • Brian & Shelly Steinwurtzel
  • Matthew Cortellesi
  • Monica and Douglas Taylor
  • Brian Collier
  • David & Allison Taylor
  • Nils Boelset & Mary Lambert
  • Will & Lolita Platt-Higgins
  • Dan & Melissa Sbrega
  • Steven & Misty Chiu
  • John Seitz & Brenna Moore
  • John Doherty & Amy Lamberti
  • Doug & Daryn Sundheim
  • Matt Kelly & Rachel Martin
  • Peter & Mindy Walker
  • John & Susan Seligman
  • Andrew Rich
  • Norman & Stephanie Vanamee
  • Ted Andreasian & Nune Karamyan
  • Joseph & Susan Berry
  • Larry & Brandy Young
  • Mary Dennehy
  • Andrew Tucker and Rafaela Dela Huerta
  • Tommy & Julia Drake
  • Tim and Monica Ware
  • Lisa Finegan
  • Julie McKinnon