Reviews

Whoever You Are by Mem Fox, Leslie Staub

tooamy's review against another edition

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One World Many Stories outreach, about how children around the world may be different but share many similarities, including emotions.

ambientmagic's review against another edition

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3.0

I'm reading this for a class in a couple months, so these are notes to myself more than a review:

Words:
A solid central message that's good for young kids to hear. Touches on a few differences in cultures (environment, houses, schools, ethnicities) and on the ways people are the same (emotions, laughter, familial ties) to remind kids that superficial differences don't make people of other cultures fundamentally different in a way youngsters can understand.

Illustrations:
Solid diversity in outfits, skin tones, and environments. All the characters have a major case of sameface syndrome, but I think that's a stylistic choice more than anything. Colors are bright and eye-catching for kids, and I like how the "narrator" is a person of color (specifically Latino?). The way he flies around in the background of the other pages is cute as well. It would have been nice to see other types of diversity as well (body types, disabilities) but we can't have everything.

vasiljul000's review against another edition

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4.0

This book established the commonality of the human race in the simplest of terms. This book would be especially beneficial to younger children, ages 2-6, to teach the concepts of diversity without going over their heads. The colorful illustrations are attention-grabbing and colorful, and overall provides the positive message that we all bleed the same, we are all humans at the end of the day.

jeninmotion's review against another edition

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3.0

The art is lovely, and I like the message but somehow this book didn't quite come together for me or really catch my kiddo's fancy.

howlinglibraries's review against another edition

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2.0

Assigned reading for MLIS 7421: Multicultural Youth Literature.

The idea behind this is great - teaching children to love and accept one another regardless of differences - but be aware that this is an incredibly simplistic children's books. I would definitely gear this towards toddlers, not children nearing chapter book ages. On a side note, the artwork of the children's faces is slightly terrifying and I am not joking at all when I say that I believe it would frighten some of the more sensitive little ones.

skeinsinthestacks's review against another edition

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inspiring reflective fast-paced

3.75

katyjean81's review against another edition

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5.0

Fantastic! This book is an ideal children's book to help students look outside of themselves and into the world around us. I shouldn't be surprised, as Mem Fox is widely known as kidlit superstar, but I was pleased to discover yet another picture book I think everyone young person should read. I really like the reminder to us older folk that everyone is the same all around the world, no matter how different we are on the outside.

crystalmd1998's review against another edition

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4.0

Fantastic story, I love the message. However, the pictures are a little creepy (I don’t like how the man is hiding on every page)

kesterbird's review against another edition

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1.0

preachier than a sermon, but probably less interesting. Also: SUPER CREEPY FACES. Like:holy uncany valley, Batman!

randiroo's review against another edition

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4.0

I would use this in a primary or middle school classroom as a way to introduce the topic of identity and multiculturalism. It would be a great introduction to study about other cultures and "who I am." Gorgeous illustrations!