Sometimes, All I Need Is Me

A heartfelt, reassuring picture book that will help children develop inner resources and psychological strength.

Through the girl’s example, readers will learn self-reliance skills for soothing themselves when moments become difficult and an appreciation for both having company and being alone. 

PreS-K—In this simple ode to mindfulness and self-reliance, a young girl walks readers through pieces of her daily social-emotional journey. Her home is cozy, and "smells like cinnamon and feels like warm pajamas." When she's not home, things feel different, but she can find "home" within herself. She loves playing with her friends, but can be her own company. Dancing to music makes her happy, but she can dance to the rhythm of her own drum when things are quiet. While these concepts are abstract for the intended preschool audience, Perdomo simplifies them well enough to encourage conversation between the adults and children sharing the book. Illustrations full of vibrant color and texture, as well as racially diverse characters, give this book visual appeal for not only preschoolers, but a wide slice of the general population. While the message that "I can love myself and become whatever I need" may feel a little starry-eyed and pat to adults with more life experience, this book covers the topics of self-soothing and fostering inner peace well for a younger audience. VERDICT A worthy purchase for collections that need mindfulness/social-emotional selections for children.—Jennifer Noonan

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