PIcture Book Pick: Be You!

Be You!
by Peter H. Reynolds
Illustrations by the author
Orchard Books
(Scholastic imprint)
2020
32 pages
ISBN: 9781338572315

Be You! is a celebration of loving yourself, accepting yourself, motivating yourself, and pushing yourself! Each two-page spread begins with a positive message, for example: "Be adventurous," or "Be curious," or "Be persistent." The second part of the spread explains how to be adventurous or curious or persistent.

Cute, clever and quirky illustrations will bring smiles  to toddlers, parents and graduates for this little gem of a book would make an excellent life guide. If only we could all be persistent, curious, adventurous, different and brave! What changes humankind could bring to this world! Never preachy or stuffy or moralistic,  Be You! is a manual for young children and adults alike.

Highly recommended for ages four and up. Great graduation present or daily read for children. A child would be happy to tell an adult what each message means and how they practiced it that day or week. Likely to become a classic, Be You! will surely be up for awards this year.

Beautiful Message: When You Need Wings

When You Need Wings
by Lita Judge
Illustrated by the author
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
2020
40 pages
ISBN: 9781534437555

Simply beautiful illustrations take the reader on a magical journey into one child's imaginary world. A little girl feels alone and afraid as she goes off to pre-school, but the message is when you're afraid or lonely and you hear your heartbeat, that's really your strength and your wings. The girl imagines wings that can take her into a storybook land with her friendly, magical bestie, a winsome, cuddly tiger. Because the girl has her imagination and her wings, she can fit in and face anything. By the end of the story, other kids come near her and welcome her into their group.

The positive message and terrific artwork take this simple children's book to the realm of magical and MUST HAVE. Parents will love its inspiring message. Few words make the story easy for any child to understand. Parents may want to let their children tell their own story using the illustrations alone.

Highly recommended ages 3 and up.