Repeat After Me

March 1, 2023
Actors, married couple, and parents Simon and Hill offer affirmations that center Black and brown children. The book begins with a note explaining that the authors wrote this book "to help our children see themselves as they truly are: spectacular." Each spread contains a declaration and a short poem along with vibrant and imaginative artwork. "I am WORTHY"--an adult gently tosses a smiling child into the air. "I am DESERVING"--another child reclines by the pool, a bowl of ice cream on their lap and a glass of lemonade on the table beside them. "I am BRAVE"--a child invites a solitary classmate to sit with them and their friends. "I am STRONG"--a child plays on a jungle gym. Simon and Hill advise parents to have their children repeat these statements back to them to foster self-love. The verse is warm and encouraging, reminding little ones of their worth. Depicting scenes ranging from birthday parties to playgrounds to fields of flowers, Knight-Justice's digital illustrations have a collagelike look, incorporating written text and bits of sheet music; they have a DIY feel that may inspire kids to create their own art--a nice reflection of the book's theme of empowerment. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Will help instill much-needed feelings of self-worth in little ones. (Picture book. 4-8)

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April 1, 2023

PreS-Gr 3-The husband-and-wife authors present a treasure trove of positive affirmations for young readers. Each endlessly encouraging spread features an uplifting, "I am" phrase in large, colorful letters, followed by a comforting rhyming couplet presumably spoken by a caregiver. For example, one spread depicts a young Black child as an astronaut in outer space, with a statement that reads, "I am IMPORTANT," followed by, "You're here for a purpose. Your life has great meaning. Believe in yourself, and never stop dreaming." The book's empowering conclusion invites listeners to repeat the statements from the story and reminds them that they are all of those things "and so much more." Knight-Justice's warm digital illustrations portray Black children in a variety of settings, including on the playground, the school cafeteria, relaxing by the pool, playing with loved ones, and celebrating a birthday, to name a few. An end note details the writers' history of using affirmations with their children as well as hope and advice for readers to practice them in their daily lives as well. Put with Peter H. Reynolds's Be You! and Alissa Holder's I Am Smart, I Am Blessed, I Can Do Anything! for a lesson brimming with upbeat and encouraging themes. VERDICT An inspiring and heartening title that will find a home in any collection.-Olivia Gorecke

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April 24, 2023
Actors and married collaborators Hill and Simon share their take on fostering self-love in children via powerful affirmations. An introductory authors’ note suggests that “when you say affirmations... you are actually rewiring your brain to believe what you say,” and instructs caregivers on how to create a meaningful ritual by “having your child repeat the affirmation back to you, out loud, in first person.” What follows is a series of “I am” statements (“I am BRAVE,” “I am IMPORTANT,” “I am LOVED,” and others), each of which is followed by brief rhyming verse that expands on the theme: “I am CHERISHED/ Just as the dawn of each day/ is wondrous and new,/ the most valuable treasure/ you have is you.” Knight-Justice’s digital artwork depicts kids with brown skin of varying tones exuding confidence and joy as they act out the accompanying text, modeling big concepts wrapped in an attainable, welcome family practice. Ages 4–8.