You Matter

"Employing a cast of diverse children reminiscent of that depicted in Another (2019), Robinson shows that every living entity has value.

After opening endpapers that depict an aerial view of a busy playground, the perspective shifts to a black child, ponytails tied with beaded elastics, peering into a microscope. So begins an exercise in perspective. From those bits of green life under the lens readers move to “Those who swim with the tide / and those who don’t.” They observe a “pest”—a mosquito biting a dinosaur, a “really gassy” planet, and a dog whose walker—a child in a pink hijab—has lost hold of the leash. Periodically, the examples are validated with the titular refrain. Textured paint strokes and collage show more elements contrast with uncluttered backgrounds that move from white to black to white. The black pages in the middle portion foreground scenes in space, including a black astronaut viewing Earth; the astronaut is holding an image of another black youngster who appears on the next spread flying a toy rocket and looking lonely. There are many such visual connections, creating emotional interest and invitations for conversation. The story’s conclusion spins full circle, repeating opening sentences with new scenarios. From the microscopic to the cosmic, word and image illuminate the message without a whiff of didacticism.

Whimsy, intelligence, and a subtle narrative thread make this rise to the top of a growing list of self-love titles. (Picture book. 4-7)" www.kirkusreviews.com, A Kirkus Starred Review show less

Christian Robinson's illustration style might not be everyone's cup of tea. Full disclosure, it wasn't always mine. It was at YALSA last November (back when we could travel for conferences. Remember those days?) and hearing him speak that gave me a greater appreciation for Christian.

This book is SO timely. It is a beautiful reminder that ALL matter. All races and creeds and sizes. Every few pages of illustrations tell a new story, which is something fun for children to pay attention for. It also is a reminder that every different person tells a different story.....and we would be lost without one or the other.

Word of encouragement hit at just the right time in this celebration of self-worth.

The title already says it all—you matter. Hitting examples out of life, which illustrate how small or slow or first or old things can be in everyday life, the message then rings clear that none of that is important because you matter. The scenes are mostly taken from nature and outdoor activities and range from dinosaurs to space travel to a quite day in the park.

There's no way to ignore the message when reading through these pages, and it's one that young listeners can never hear enough. Of course, just a message would be boring, and the author makes sure this book is anything but. He builds in a variety of scenes, making sure that almost every show more listener will see something that sparks their interest or that they can relate to. While some pages show science, others hit more day to day events. It's a lovely mixture, especially since there's also a bit of humor thrown in now and then.

The phrases on each page are kept very short and come directly to the point. The illustrations then expand on these words, allowing the visual scenes to carry just as much of the book as the text. The vocabulary is simple, making it a nice read for even the younger end of the read-aloud audience. And some depictions are sure to grab a few passing comments from young listeners, too.

This is a lovely read-aloud which spreads an uplifting message, while not forgetting that young listeners enjoy the illustrations just as much if not more than the text. In other words, it gets a big thumbs up.

I received an ARC and found it to be a great read-aloud. show less

When was it decided that most modern picture books will now be inspirational tracts written by Stuart Smalley? Whatever happened to embedding such sentiments in a humorous story about interesting characters?

I did get a chuckle out of the unexpected asteroid strike of doom.

PreS-Gr 1—A hug you can read! From microorganisms going their own way under a microscope to a dog separated from its owners by a busy street, Robinson's message is emotional and resounding—you matter. The pacing is
impressive, the message simple and ringing.

In this full, bright, and beautiful picture book, many different perspectives around the world are deftly and empathetically explored—from a pair of bird-watchers to the pigeons they’re feeding. Young readers will be drawn into the luminous illustrations inviting them to engage with the world in a new way and see how everyone is connected, and that everyone matters.

"Para quem não tem a certeza se faz a diferença" diz a dedicatória deste livro. Uma escrita simples, muito bem ilustrado, mas parece-me difícil que uma criança consiga endender as subtilezas das ligações entre o texto e as imagens.