Space for Everyone, Seina Wedlick
Space for Everyone, Seina Wedlick
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Space for Everyone

Author: Seina Wedlick

Narrator: Keylor Leigh

Unabridged: 6 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 04/08/2025


Synopsis

This lyrical and heartwarming picture book follows a Nigerian girl who worries about her family's upcoming move. But she soon realizes that no matter where they go, there will always be room at their kitchen table for her community to gather around.

When Zainab runs down the stairs in the morning, she knows what she'll find: Papa cooking at the stove, Mama pouring tea, and then everyone gathering around the family table. Neighbors stop by, and there's plenty of room for them, too. There are so many beloved rituals that happen at the table: homework and crafts, aunties coming to plait hair, and festive gatherings with neighbors and relatives. But soon boxes start piling up around the house, and Zainab worries about the move—will the rituals feel the same in her new home?

In the new house, the family table still feels cozy to sit around. And soon, old neighbors and new friends stop by, and everyone is welcome at the table. Meg Medina's Evelyn Del Ray is Moving Away meets Peter H. Reynolds's Our Table in this heartwarming story about how difficult it is to move, but how connecting with community makes everything better.

About The Author

Seina Wedlick is the author of Naming Ceremony, her debut picture book. When she is not spending time with her husband and children, she can be found working as a technical program manager, designing bags, and running her handbag line Brysie Lane.Camilla Sucre is a first generation Trinidadian American illustrator. Born in New York and raised in Baltimore, Camilla graduated with her BFA in illustration from MICA. Space for Everyone is her US debut picture book.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Bookishrealm on March 12, 2025

Unfortunately, this wasn’t as strong as I anticipated. While I liked the overall theme of the book, I think that I struggled with the lack of movement within the pictures. As two other reviewers have pointed out, the family transitions to a new home but the way that it happens in quite abrupt and le......more

Goodreads review by Hinnah on April 04, 2025

A little girl worries her table, which has space for everyone and is a place where fond memories were made, will be the same after moving homes. She quickly finds her community from before is still connected with her family and it continues to grow at the new home with new friends. Good book for you......more

Goodreads review by Barbara on February 21, 2025

Although this picture book covers the importance of a gathering place where family members and friends can come together and yes, as the title indicates, there is "space for everyone" or space will be made, I agree with another reviewer who pointed out that the move from one home to another is abrup......more

Goodreads review by Christie on February 02, 2025

This beautifully illustrated unique perspective of "home is where the heart is" shows a big loving family around the kitchen table with extended family and neighbors. Told from the voice of the young girl Zainab ~~ who is a bit worried about her family's upcoming move to a new neighborhood ~~ soon r......more

Goodreads review by Caroline on March 29, 2025

I loved this story, but I’m so sad to say the pacing felt really off. I was convinced that I had pages stuck together or missing because it just wasn’t flowing how I wanted. I do love picture books that start before the title page, though.......more


Quotes

★ "[A] bighearted tale....Warm, cheerful artwork and stylized characters portrayed with brown skin populate cozy family scenes, while gentle prose makes room for everyone, no matter the group’s size." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Space for Everyone reminds readers to be open and optimistic, in their hearts as well as their homes....an affirming depiction of a strong, loving Black community." —Booklist