I am Josephine (and I am a living thing) by Jan Thornhill and Jacqui Lee

I am Josephine (and I am a living thing) by Jan Thornhill and Jacqui Lee (2016)

This book made me so happy when it came across my desk—I don’t order nonfiction, so it was a surprise.  Josephine tells us that she is a human being, talks about other human beings, and invites readers to point out other human beings on a full spread. She then defines herself as a mammal, an animal, and a living thing following the same pattern. This book is a great introduction to the concept of how humans fit into broader categories, while still being unique individually. The delightful pictures, by the illustrator of the fabulous reader series, Murilla Gorilla, are large, clear, and perfect for sharing during storytime.

Themes/topics: people, self-esteem, individuality, STEM, categories

Sample text from two spreads:

I am Josephine, and I am a living thing.

I am a living thing, and so is my brother, Felix, and so is a butterfly, and so is a tree, and so is a penguin. How many different living things can you find on this page?

Happy Hair

Happy Hair by Mechal Renee Roe (2014) #ownvoices

A joyful, unapologetic celebration of black hair styles, the message of this title is universal and should be a no-brainer to add to storytime everywhere. Intended to be read as a call-and-response, the rhyming text invites readers to shout, “I love being me” with each verse. I love this one!

Themes/topics:  hair, girl power, self-esteem, fashion,

Sample text:

Cool vibes, accessorize! “I love being me”

[word bubble] Pattern wrap!

Loved and free! “I love being me”

[word bubble] Wash-n-go!

Pom-pom puffs—Pretty and stuff “I love being me!”

[word bubble] Pom-pom puffs!

What Do You Love About You

What Do You Love About You by Karen Lechelt (2016)

This is a sweet and simple story that will fit right into a storytime about love, providing a welcome opportunity to build self-esteem by thinking and talking about the things we love about ourselves. The young girl with a dark pageboy and medium brown skin asks various animals (shown as toys at the end) what they love about themselves, and they answer with things that make them happy. Many celebrate their relationship with the girl.

Themes/topics: love, self-esteem, stuffed animals

Sample text from two pages:

What do you love about you? [octopus]/

I love my tentacles because I am a hugging machine