Book Bites: I Am Me - Picture Books About Self
Young children may not be consciously aware of it but every interaction and reaction they encounter builds their unique sense of self. Identity: a cryptic collection of characteristics, mindsets and personality traits that describe who you are to the world. But who are we really? And why is it important that children understand and develop their sense of self? What I love about this small collection of picture books is their ability to combine the notion of loving who you are in relatable visual story lines without explicitly forcing ideals down our throats. When less emphasis is given to maintaining differences and energies refocused on the actual joys of living, greater understanding and harmony is assured. So, let’s start our journey of self-discovery…
Philip
Bunting is well-known for
his strikingly simple artwork and nimble narratives. His ability to dress non
fictional facts with tongue-in-cheek- humour ensures maximum enjoyment and depth
of learning. This book not only exemplifies this but addresses the
transcendental conundrum of who we are by describing in detail what we are not. Bunting explains we are not our
individual components such as name, thoughts, possessions, gender, guts (and
associated stuff within) or even our emotions but rather a glorious combination
of them all, unique and unrepeatable. Most powerful of all, is his
clarification that the very essence of us is something no one can really define
or even agree on what to call but is something we all possess and have in
common. We are all one yet wondrously different. We share the same everythings,
exist on the same small planet yet we each have the ability to choose exactly
who we will be. Who
am I? is sufficiently
scientific to captivate, satisfyingly comical to humour, and profound enough to
set small minds (and big ones) whirling with possibilities.
Pure brilliance.
Title: Who Am I?
Author / Illustrator: Philip Bunting
Publisher: Omnibus Books, $17.99
Publication Date: June 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781743834084
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book
Buy the Book: Readings, Booktopia
The end pages of I Am Perfectly Designed invite young
readers into a warm embrace of humankind. Diversity is shown in a rainbow of skin
tones and the bright smiles on a dozen different faces. It’s a simple tale of
shared acknowledgments between a son and his father: first there was just dad, now there’s me, together there’s us! As
the father son relationship evolves over time, the affirmations change; the
baby boy was once the bald one, now it’s the father who has no hair. These
simple comparisons allow the pair room to remember their past together and
speculate about the future through which, one empowering notion resonates: that
no matter where they end up, they are perfectly designed to always be together.
Because that is what unconditional love looks like. Undeniably a beautiful tribute
to fathers and sons, I Am Perfectly Designed also celebrates individuality and the
paths of self-discovery making it suitable to share in any family dynamic.
Author: Karamo Brown with Jason ‘Rachel’ Brown
Illustrator: Anoosha Syed
Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia, $24.99
Publication Date: November 2019
Format: Hardcover (Paperback May 2020)
ISBN: 9781529036152
For ages: 4 – 8
Type: Picture Book
Buy the Book: Pan Macmillan, Boomerang Books, Booktopia
One day in the Cloud Tower, a clutch of baby Quigs roll out of their eggs.
Four of them quickly accustom themselves to their sky-high home; jumping and
swinging fearlessly from tower to tower. The fifth does not. Unlike his
brothers and sisters, the forth little Quig’s fins are stumpy and thin. Wide
open spaces and huge drops terrify him. Beneath their cape of cruel critcisms,
‘Stumpy’ slinks down to the streets below Cloud Tower to live among the
shadows. The curious under-tower dwellers repeatedly remind Stumpy that he
should be frolicking above but Stumpy does not feel like he belongs aloft at
all. After reluctantly returning to the Tower, Stumpy is victim to his
siblings’ relentless jibes to jump, jump, JUMP! So, eventually he does…
Jump! is a fantastical and imaginative tale of taking a leap into the unknown, of believing in yourself enough to risk all and in finding your true calling. Stumpy represents our inner uncertainties, a creature of self-doubt purely because whenever he compares himself to others, he always comes up short. His tale underlines the adage that if we never make a leap of faith, how do we know if we can fly or not? This is a powerful concept to instil in young minds and Plant's warming colour palette and cute Quig characters tackle themes of bullying, disability and self-esteem with sensitivity and originality.
An emotive visual joy!
Title: Jump!
Author Illustrator: Andrew Plant
Publisher: Ford Street Publishing, $16.95
Publication Date: March 2020
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781925804461
For ages: 4 – 8
Type: Picture Book
Buy the Book: Ford Street Publishing, Booktopia, Boomerang Books (hardcover)
If a child’s mindset is partially or wholly the result of their upbringing,
then My Mama is the sort of story that should be part of any
parent’s treasure chest of influencing blessings. Sweet and unadorned this
translated Dutch picture book story is anthropomorphically told through the eyes of a baby
elephant though of course it relates to any and all children and is made even
more potent by the universal belief of very young children that their mothers
are arguably the best thing in their lives. Little elephant loves his mother
unconditionally and has learnt that through her love for him, he can do
anything, be anything and achieve anything; even flight. Gorgeous line
illustrations flecked with ribbons of rainbow that focus just on mother
and child fill the pages with joyful mellowness. A comforting book to share.
Author Illustrator: Annemarie van Haeringen
Translator: Bill Nagelkerke
Publication Date: April 2020
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781776572687
For ages: 2 – 5
Type: Picture Book
Buy the Book: Gecko Press (NZ), Boomerang Books, Booktopia
We are often defined not just by who we are but by what we experience.
Children experiencing situations out of their control may develop anxiety,
self-doubt and confusion, especially if that situation involves a parent. Parents
are supposed to be rock solid, safe harbours of security and reassurance. So
what happens when they aren’t?
The rainbow bedecked, father and son cover of, My Daddy Is Different suggests a
number of storylines. Turns out, the focal point is about the mental illness of a parent
from a child’s point of view and how both he and his father work to overcome
feelings of uncertainty and despair. A small boy describes how although his
daddy looks and sounds much like everyone else’s daddy, something strange and
sinister, something different eventually smothers his daddy, dulling all his
colour and familiarity. The boy finds it hard to accept his father’s illness
even after he knows about it. Too much has changed causing a major shift in the
boy’s own mental wellbeing. He is ashamed and terrified, bereft and wondering.
Through expressive watercolour illustrations and soothing narrative, creators,
Suzi Faed and Lisa Coutts, gently escort the boy through his tumult of emotions
until colour returns and he realises that daddy is not the stranger he first
feared. A powerful and loving assurance about a not-so-uncommon affliction that
will augment self-esteem and emotional resilience in children and their families.
Title: My Daddy Is Different
Author: Suzi Faed
Illustrator: Lisa Coutts
Publisher: Empowering Resources, 17.00
Publication Date: January 2020
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781925592184
For ages: 5+
Type: Picture Book
Buy the Book: Empowering Resources, Boomerang Books, Booktopia
In a classroom somewhere on this planet, children of every creed, religion,
skin colour and gender learn, play, eat, dance, create, share, jump, joke and
play … together. The premise is more than obvious, simple and unashamed: All
are welcome here. That’s it. And really, that is all there should be because
our children’s perceptions of themselves and of others are ultimately coloured
by our own. If this illustration of humility is painted for them in the right way from
the outset, then surely it stands to reason that empathy and caring will reign
supreme. This book endeavours to take this Utopian ideal and make it a reality.
All Are
Welcome is a touch zealous emphasizing this concept but it does
in fact leave you with a bubbling sense of hope. Why shouldn’t we all be
welcome under the same roof? We all share the same need to eat and love and
dream. Does it matter if the bread we eat comes in a thousand different shapes and
sizes? It is still bread. Illustrations that ooze cheer and frivolity and
reflect dozens of different colourful cultures embrace repeating phraseology which reinforces the notion that despite every glorious
difference, we are all the same. This is definitive picture book diversity. It
is bright, bold and concentrates on celebrating similarities and kindness
rather than simply perpetuating hatred through side-taking. For this reason it
should be a compulsory classroom read and discussion starter.
Author: Alexandra Penfold
Illustrator: Suzanne Kaufman
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Publication Date: February 2019
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781526604071
For ages: 4 – 8
Type: Picture Book
Buy the Book: Bloomsbury
Books, Booktopia
Be sure to visit again for my review of a picture book that truly exemplifies the essence of being true to your self and celebrates notions of identity with open arms. My Shadow is Pink by Scott Stuart airs Monday 27 July. Don't miss it!
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