Review: I Like Myself

I Like Myself

Written by Karen Beaumont

Illustrated by David Catrow

Publication date: 2005

Publisher: Koala Books

ISBN: 0-86461-611-2

Summary:

I like myself--inside and out! Why? Just because I'm ME! At once silly and serious, this exuberant ode to self-esteem is sassy, soulful--and straight from the heart.

Review:

As the title says, this book is about liking yourself.  The opening page states "I like myself! I'm glad I'm me" and the book closes with "I like myself because I'm ME!"

It is full of imaginative eye-catching illustrations and while the text may be a bit repetitive (it finds a number of different ways of saying the same thing; I like myself!) it is a positive affirmation that any parent would want their child to pick up on and start believing for themselves.  The rhyming will hold younger listeners attention and is simple enough for early readers.

4/5

Review written by QTCass

Review: The Boy Who Looked Like Lincoln

The Boy Who Looked Like Lincoln

Written by Mike Reiss

Illustrated by David Catrow

Publication date: 2003

Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group

ISBN: 0-8431-0271-3

Summary/Back cover:

Eight-year-old Benjy, who resembles Abraham Lincoln, is tired of being teased and always being Lincoln in the school play, but a special camp helps him to appreciate his appearance.

Benjy looks like Abe Lincoln, has done so since birth, His plans for the summer are to stay in his room in the dark, but his parents send him to Camp What-Cha-Ma-Call-It, a camp for kids who like like things.  Here Benjy meets other kids like him, ones who look like random things such as a bowling ball, a box of tissues, a toaster - even one who looks like the back of a horse! (who by the end of the summer, becomes friends with a girl who looks like the head of a horse : ) )  It is here that Benjy learns to appreciate who he is and when he returns to school, gives him the courage to stand up to the bullies.

Another humorous book, reviews have seen it be criticised for the humour being too adult related.  I have no issues with this as a lot of my favourite books for my kids are the ones that have that underlying humour in there for the parents; think Shrek.  The illustrations are great and the uplifting message of the story is a good one for older children.  This is an American book though, with American subject matter.  It alludes to historical facts about Lincoln and in the end we learn of Benjy's brother Dickie who looks like Richard Nixon, complete with a tape recorder and holding up the peace sign.  This will be of no concern to the littlies as the story and pictures are funny enough for them to pick up.

4/5

Review written by QTCass