I'm growing great

Mechal Renee Roe

Book - 2022

"Girls' growth and positivity are celebrated in this garden-themed inspirational book"--

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jE/Roe
1 / 2 copies available
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Subjects
Genres
Picture books
Published
New York : Doubleday Books for Young Readers [2022]
Language
English
Main Author
Mechal Renee Roe (author)
Edition
First edition
Physical Description
1 volume (unpaged) : color illustrations ; 27 cm
Audience
Ages 2-8.
ISBN
9780593428900
9780593428917
Contents unavailable.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

In this follow-up to Happy Hair, Roe centers a serene child of color on every spread, each one showcasing a different hairstyle against backgrounds filled with simple graphic florals and foliage. Employing the closing refrain "I am growing each day," the spreads also offer an uplifting, often nature-based couplet, presented in all caps: "REMEMBER MY NAME!/ NOTHING STAYS THE SAME!" one reads, with the closing line rendered in a smaller, lowercase font beneath. A dark brown--skinned child with long black waves and bright pink lips smiles beatifically beneath a starry headpiece, flowers and leaves surrounding them against a lavender background. Some couplets are less effective than others ("TRUE TO YOU,/ SWEET AS MORNING DEW!"), but this picture book's affirmations offer a centering lilt for those in the throes of growth. Ages 3--7. (Jan.)

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

An empowering picture book sows seeds of positivity and possibility. The Black and brown young girls who are the stars of this garden-themed motivational manifesto announce their great pride in how well they're growing--in mindfulness, hopefulness, calmness, self-awareness, and inner strength. Each girl stands contentedly in a different flower garden, sporting a distinctive, elegant natural hairstyle, and dressed gracefully in a feminine outfit. An affirmation appears on each spread (for example "STEADY AS A TREE! / PEACE WITHIN ME!") in the form of a rhyming couplet set in large capital letters and followed by the mantra "I am growing great!" Some of these declarations--like "EXPLORING MY FEELINGS! / BRINGS KIND HEALING!"--may go over younger children's heads; however, kids should have no trouble understanding the book's final statement: "I am born to be great!" While the author's intent is admirable, the text feels twee and lacks meaningful emotional content. The ebullient, brightly colored, eye-catching illustrations, set against mostly pastel-colored backgrounds, are the real draw here. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Hand this book to girls who might need a boost to their self-esteem, especially girls of color. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.