Stepping Up! (An All Are Welcome Early Reader)

Stepping Up! (An All Are Welcome Early Reader) by Alexandra Penfold is a delightful addition to children’s literature, published by Random House on March 11, 2025. This 32-page early reader is designed for emerging readers, featuring familiar characters from the bestselling picture book All Are Welcome. The story celebrates a graduation event where children proudly showcase their accomplishments, emphasizing the skills they have developed throughout the year.

In this engaging narrative, readers will find themes of growth, friendship, and social skills as the characters reflect on their journey of learning to be readers, writers, and leaders. The text employs basic vocabulary and short sentences, making it accessible for children who can recognize familiar words and sound out new ones with assistance. Stepping Up! serves as an encouraging resource for young readers ready to explore their independence in reading while reinforcing positive values such as kindness and perseverance.