All About Me

Though Wanda says she has a hundred dresses at home, her classmates tease her because she wears the same worn dress everyday. Only one girl feels badly when Wanda no longer attends school, and she tries to make amends. This girl learns what Wanda already knows — that words really hurt.

Exuberant language and jaunty illustrations seem to jump off the pages to celebrate “girlpie” hair, soft and billowy. With encouraging individuality, these girls love and accept themselves just the way they are.

She was a perfect baby, and she had a perfect name. Chrysanthemum. When she was old enough to appreciate it, Chrysanthemum loved her name. And then she started school. “I’m named after my grandmother,” said Victoria. “But you’re named after a flower.” Chrysanthemum wilted. Then the students were introduced to their music teacher, Mrs. Twinkle. Mrs. Delphinium Twinkle. And suddenly, Chrysanthemum blossomed…

Sally narrates the story of her brother’s crisis of confidence when his world turns fuzzy. She figures out he needs glasses and so together they visit the eye doctor and all things soon become clear! The lively illustrations are as varied as the typeface in this fun and fresh tale.

While everyone has a nose, toes, and hair, no one has them just alike — and so a girl with bouncy red ponytails celebrates her uniqueness, the “incredible me!” Engaging child-like drawings romp across the pages with rhythmic, rhyming text.

Children from various backgrounds and cultures appear in these early 20th century photographs, linked by an original poem that celebrates the joy of family and childhood. The format is reminiscent of an old-fashioned photo album while the emotions conveyed are very contemporary.

The robust pig first introduced in I Like Me (Viking, 1990) and her friends celebrate an alphabet soup of positive qualities and behaviors. They are awesome and brave, use imagination, and occasionally yawn as a bedtime reminder.

More than anything, first grader Jim wants to read. Even though his teacher is reassuring, Jim is impatient. But then, one day it happens — Jim reads! Adults and children alike will appreciate the subtle message of different learning rates and styles in this gentle story.

Can the youngest chick solve the problem and help the family get to their tasty meal of potato bugs and beans? Of course, for only she can run tippy-toe around the fierce — but leashed — dog! Young children will appreciate the youngest chick’s success in this brightly illustrated tale.

Ramona, now starting 4th grade, gets a teacher who is a stickler for proper spelling. Ramona is propelled into writing a letter when she finds an error in an advertisement — all with the verve and humor readers expect of Ramona.

The irrepressible Gabi is tired of speaking two languages and feels like she’s messing up both. But what can she do if she is only allowed to speak Spanish at home? Gabi comes up with a solution that will make readers chuckle and recognize some of their own thinking in Gabi’s reasoning.

The barbershop is where the magic happens. Boys go in as lumps of clay and, with princely robes draped around their shoulders, a dab of cool shaving cream on their foreheads, and a slow, steady cut, they become royalty. This rhythmic, read-aloud title is an unbridled celebration of the self-esteem, confidence, and swagger boys feel when they leave the barber’s chair. The fresh cuts. That’s where it all begins.