You Are a Story

November 15, 2022
Understand your story and listen to others'. An unseen narrator muses on how special everyone is through a series of connected passages that will leave readers contemplating their places in the world. Readers are reminded that they are many things: someone's child, an animal, a body of water (mostly), and much more. The text is informative and inspirational: "You are a sponge. You are constantly soaking up new information. You are a student of the world. You learn by trying new things. You absorb everything you see, hear, taste, smell, and touch." As the declarations continue, a diverse group of children with different skin tones, hair textures, and physical abilities explore and interact with their world and with each other. Accompanied by appealing digital illustrations that have an intimate, collagelike feel, the story is a little nonfiction (with a few facts about the solar system, water, and more sprinkled in) and a lot pep talk and will hopefully inspire young readers and caregivers alike to remember that we are all unique and that we each contain multitudes. The final message is perhaps the most profound: "You are a story. You are the author of your life. Every day is a blank page waiting for you to fill it. Make your story funny. Make it an adventure. Tell your story to others. Then listen to theirs." That final sentence is an important reminder for readers of all ages. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Bold and stirring. (Picture book. 4-8)

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January 2, 2023
Speaking directly to readers, Raczka (The Poet of Piney Woods) explores human existence from multiple unifying angles. Second-person lines suggest commonality by way of physical similarities (“You are a living thing./ You breathe.// You eat./ You sleep”), familial bonds (“No matter who your family is,/ you deserve all the love you can get”), and animalian comparatives (“You are a member of the mammal/ family. You have bones. You have/ hair. You drink milk”). Quirkier descriptions follow—each person is a body of water, an astronaut sailing through space aboard Earth, and an information-soaking sponge—before a vertical spread shows a figure surrounded by scaffolding and construction equipment: “You are not a finished person. You are a work in progress.” The Howdeshells (I Am the Storm), a married team, give digital spreads a friendly feel, portraying figures with varied abilities and skin tones via textures that recall printmaking techniques. People flourish in varied ways, but this compendium contains affirmations that are broadly applicable to many—first and foremost, “You are the author of your life. Every day is a blank page waiting for you to fill it.” Ages 4–8.

Starred review from January 1, 2023

Gr 1-5-This book breaks being human down into chapterlike sections, each of which begins with a bold face sentence. "You are" a living thing, someone's child, an animal, a body of water, an astronaut, a sponge, a friend, under construction, a mystery, one-of-a-kind, a miracle, a story. The chapters range from a single spread to several pages long and clearly and efficiently cover a lot of ground without being heavy-handed or didactic. They dispense facts ("More than half of you is made from water"), speculate ("Where will you live?"), and give advice ("Tell your story to others. Then listen to theirs"). The illustrations, featuring people with a variety of skin tones and abilities, enhance the text with lively scenes in various styles that will keep readers engaged. It would pair beautifully with Howard Schwartz's All You Need. VERDICT This delightful primer on being human is a mix of facts, speculation, and advice which is not to be missed. It will definitely get kids and adults alike thinking about what it means to be them in this world both now and in the future.-Catherine Callegari

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from February 15, 2023
Preschool-Grade 3 *Starred Review* Renowned author and poet Raczka is back with this stunning exploration of the interconnection between us and the world. In lyrical lines, he describes what humans are and do in straightforward terms--"You are someone's child"; "You breathe. // You eat. // You sleep." We are all living beings who have our own thoughts, memories, and experiences that make up our unique stories. But as the book progresses, Raczka provides metaphorical perspectives on what makes us individuals, referring to readers as astronauts voyaging through the galaxy, mysteries with an unwritten future, and sponges ready to absorb information. There is emphasis on the idea that our stories are ongoing and we are the only ones with the power to decide where our story takes us next. As readers grow and learn, they are reminded not only to share these stories but to listen to others as well. With lively illustrations by Kristen and Kevin Howdeshell, using powerful visual metaphors in an inviting, playful style, the universal beauty of life is perfectly captured and harmonizes well with the inspiring text. This empowering and evocative title makes for a delightful read-aloud and is a great pick for those who enjoyed All around Us (2017), by Xelena Gonz�lez, and Be a Tree! (2021), by Maria Gianferrari.

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