Overview

With vibrant, high-energy illustrations, this ode to being your true self (who else would you be?) is also an appeal to honor the individuality of all those you meet. You might be an artist, a gardener, a drummer, a tennis player, or all of the above. You might stand out or fit in, be part of the flock or a new kid on the block, be a hardworking early bird or a night owl who loves having fun. There are endless possibilities for who you can be, and this vibrant picture book, with its bold, swirling, intricate artwork and spirited verse, makes it clear you can be everything you wish. The dynamic pairing of author Chitra Soundar and illustrator Sophie Bass champions the joy of authentic selfhood but also strikes an equal plea for us to let others be themselves, too, no matter how unfamiliar they may seem—not to label them, snatch their tune, set boundaries, or tell them how to feel. For when you are anything you want to be, and I am my most magnificent self, could the “us” that results be any more fabulous?

Full Product Details

9781536246599

Table of Contents

Reviews

A celebration of individuality. Written in rhymes with a fluid, musical cadence, this read-aloud-friendly book has a clear message: Be yourself. . . . An uplifting message, bolstered by playful art and energetic text. —Kirkus Reviews The artwork is bright, happy, cheerful, and ¬depicts ¬diverse children who are cued with a variety of ethnicities and are shown using wheelchairs and assistive devices. . . . The poetry’s AABB rhyme scheme lends a singsong tone and flow that fits well with such an uplifting message. —School Library Journal

A celebration of individuality. Written in rhymes with a fluid, musical cadence, this read-aloud-friendly book has a clear message: Be yourself. . . . An uplifting message, bolstered by playful art and energetic text. —Kirkus Reviews

Author Information

Chitra Soundar is the award-winning author of more than forty books for children, including the picture books It’s Time to Hush and Say Goodnight, illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat, and Pattan’s Pumpkin: A Traditional Flood Story from Southern India, illustrated by Frané Lessac. She is also the author of the chapter books about Sona Sharma, all illustrated by Jen Khatun. Chitra Soundar loves writing picture books, fiction, nonfiction, and verse and travels the world visiting schools and appearing at festivals to bring Indian stories to children everywhere. She grew up in Chennai, India, and lives in southeast London. Sophie Bass is the illustrator of The Magic Callaloo by Trish Cooke and Windrush Child: The Tale of a Caribbean Child Who Faced a New Horizon by John Agard. She draws inspiration from her mixed British and Trinidadian heritage and from music, social justice, mythology, and symbolism. She works by hand, employing traditional techniques with gouache and pen to create contemporary images characterized by strong figures, vivid colors, and a distinctive style. Sophie Bass lives and works in London.

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