Additional information
by Jeff Christian (Author), Kathrine Gutkovskiy (Illustrator)
We Rise Together is part of a series of books that help young readers take the necessary actions to develop and to humbly own their greatness. We Rise Together uses the pizza-making process to teach vital life lessons. The "rising of the dough" symbolizes the positive culture created by Mrs. Rock's secret recipe. "Feeding the starter" represents the actions Mrs. Rock's students take each day to develop healthy minds, bodies, and spirits. The "pizza sauce" speaks to cultivating their gardens to grow wholesome ingredients. It also speaks to taking the time to remove weeds so their gardens can flourish. The "ingredients and toppings" of the pizza symbolize diversity.
Mrs. Rock encourages her students to try each other's pizzas before they try their own. This action results in her students learning to appreciate differences and learning to be open to change. Cooking the pizza takes time and Mrs. Rock highlights the importance of being mindful of how you spend your time.
The final lesson is life's ultimate lesson-"serving others". Mrs. Rock encourages her students to serve others and helps her students realize that it feels better to give than to receive.
We Rise Together will serve as a bridge to deep and meaningful conversations. This book can be read as a family, a class, or by individuals. When you finish reading your heart will be full of love and joy. You might also be hungry for a slice of pizza!
