Whoever You Are

“Little one, / whoever you are, / wherever you are, / there are little ones / just like you / all over the world.” So begins the Australian author Mem Fox’s joyful picture book Whoever You Are, a celebration of the world’s diverse cultures, both our similarities and differences. Leslie Straub’s innovative, colorful, folk art–style oil paintings of children from all corners of the globe are bordered with photographs of hand-carved, bejeweled frames—and they all reflect Fox’s message that no matter where we come from, within our hearts “Joys are the same, / and love is the same. / Pain is the same, / and blood is the same.” A gem!

I truly love this book. It is an amazing multicultural addition to any classroom shelf. It teaches children one of the most important lessons about life- that we are all so unique and so different but all still share other qualities like smiling, emotions, etc. The illustrations and bright colors are extremely captivating and beautiful. I found a review on Amazon abotut this book that I absolutely agreed with and couldn't have said it better myself. "Skin color, homes, schools, lifestyles, and languages may differ but love and laughter, pain and tears are the same for all." The main idea of this book is that although everyone may look different or live in different homes or celebrate different things, we are all still humans. It is our show more job as teachers to show our students to accept and love everyone around them. show less

"Whoever You Are" by Mem Fox is a very interesting book with a great message! The author is speaking to children directly to teach a lesson, that people may be different from you but are just like you in more way than one thinks! This book reminds me that we have more in common that differences.

Another beautifully poetic book by Mem Fox. It reminds us and our children that we are all human. We may look and sound different and have different beliefs but 'inside' we are the same. We all cry, love and bleed the same. Everytime I read this book, tears well up; this is the heart of humanity.
Review by: Fiona

“All over the world”—Book Review of Whoever You Are
Review by Sarah Mist
This book is more social commentary/poetry on the connection of humanity through similarities beyond race and culture, rather than a story, which I was not expecting. The multicultural illustrations and references are beautiful. While the message is beautiful and corresponding illustrations lovely, the lack of storyline could be better for a younger audience. My seven-year-old son has done a lot of traveling so he could relate to all the cultural “same same but different” images. We had fun finding the global flying guy on each page.

Summary: This book is about how everyone may have different homes, skin, schools, lands, lives, and words. However, inside everyone’s hearts everyone is the same. Everyone smiles and laughs in the same way. We all hurt. At the end it says to remember this: “Joys are the same, and love is the same. Pain is the same and blood is the same. Smiles are the same and hearts are the same.

Self reflection: I adore this book. I think it is a very simple way to say no matter what you look like or how big or small your house is we all are alike in some way. We all have happy times and sad times. I truly think if we gave everyone a chance in the world we could all get along because we are the same. I wish that more people would give others show more chances in our world today. I think children are being taught to much about how your race defines you as a person and I do not think this is true at all.

Class Extension: I think this would be a great way to teach students about race and other cultures. I love how this book is saying we are all equal and we have something in common no matter what. I also think that this book could fall into the category of bullying. No one should be bullied because no one is better than another. WE ARE ALL THE SAME. show less

This is a book about children all over the world. It teaches students that no matter where you live or you skin color you are all the same inside. This is a very simple way to explain this to children
I loved this book as it takes a complex view and makes it very simple. Today, many people welcome others no matter their skin color, but back in the day it was not the same. I think it is very important to start teaching children at a young age that skin color does not matter.
1. One thing to do is have each child draw a picture of themselves and then let their partner write things (positive) describing them.
2. Have each student find out where their family is from and see how many different places the class comes from.