You Are a Story

Bold and stirring.

[A] stunning exploration of the interconnection between us and the world. . . . 

Speaking directly to readers, Raczka (The Poet of Piney Woods) explores human existence from multiple unifying angles. Second-person lines suggest commonality by way of physical similarities ("You are a living thing./ You breathe.// You eat./ You sleep"), familial bonds ("No matter who your family is, / you deserve all the love you can get"), and animalian comparatives ("You are a member of the mammal/ family. You have bones. You have/ hair. You drink milk"). Quirkier descriptions follow--each person is a body of water, an astronaut sailing through space aboard Earth, and an information-soaking sponge--before a vertical spread shows a figure surrounded by scaffolding and construction equipment: "You are not a finished person. You are a work in progress." The Howdeshells (I Am the Storm), a married team, give digital spreads a friendly feel, portraying figures with varied abilities and skin tones via textures that recall printmaking techniques. People flourish in varied ways, but this compendium contains affirmations that are broadly applicable to many--first and foremost, "You are the author of your life. Every day is a blank page waiting for you to fill it." Ages 4-8. (Feb.)

Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 1-5--This book breaks being human down into chapterlike sections, each of which begins with a bold face sentence. "You are" a living thing, someone's child, an animal, a body of water, an astronaut, a sponge, a friend, under construction, a mystery, one-of-a-kind, a miracle, a story. The chapters range from a single spread to several pages long and clearly and efficiently cover a lot of ground without being heavy-handed or didactic. They dispense facts ("More than half of you is made from water"), speculate ("Where will you live?"), and give advice ("Tell your story to others. Then listen to theirs"). The illustrations, featuring people with a variety of skin tones and abilities, enhance the text with lively scenes in various styles that will keep readers engaged. It would pair beautifully with Howard Schwartz's All You Need. VERDICT This delightful primer on being human is a mix of facts, speculation, and advice which is not to be missed. It will definitely get kids and adults alike thinking about what it means to be them in this world both now and in the future.--Catherine Callegari

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

★ "[A] stunning exploration of the interconnection between us and the world. . . . With lively illustrations by Kristen and Kevin Howdeshell, using powerful visual metaphors in an inviting, playful style, the universal beauty of life is perfectly captured and harmonizes well with the empowering text. This empowering and evocative title makes for a delightful read-aloud. . . ."—Booklist, Starred Review

★ "This delightful primer on being human is a mix of facts, speculation, and advice which is not to be missed."—School Library Journal, Starred Review

"The Howdeshells . . . give digital spreads a friendly feel, portraying figures with varied abilities and skin tones via textures that recall printmaking techniques. People flourish in varied ways, but this compendium contains affirmations that are broadly applicable to many."—Publishers Weekly

"Raczka's well-crafted stanzas have a soothing cadence. . . . The Howdeshells' bring these visuals to life with vibrant, whimsical digital art. . . . The meditative dreaminess of each pairing and its implications have an overall inspirational effect, opening viewers up to new ways of perceiving themselves and their future. . . ."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Bold and stirring."—Kirkus Reviews