Customer Reviews

Just the Two of Us

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have always been partial to the idea of coupling genres. I like to see sculptures that are imaginatively lit, with music playing in the background. To take a song and turn it into a book was an inspired choice to me. As I read the words and look at the beautiful images, I feel strong emotions that are evoked by hearing the song in my mind. The effect is a lot like seeing a motion picture, or being in an emotion-filled moment with wonderful music resonating through your body. Whether or not you are a single father, this book will move you in beautiful ways.

The book builds from a father's reminiscences about what it was like to become a man, a father, and then to take on the sole parenting role after a divorce. Every father will remember having these same emotions, and will be glad to have memories of them reawakened.

The book begins with:

"I told my parents I wanted to build a castle in the sky."

"'Here's a pencil and paper, let's draw the plans,' they replied."

The book ends with:

"My son told me he wanted to build a castle in the sky."

"'Here's a pencil and paper, let's draw the plans,' I replied."

The song has many other inspiring lyrics that work well here. Some of my favorites include:

"I pledge my life to you."

"a little me"

"I wanna kiss you all the time."

"I try to be a tough dad, but you keep making me laugh . . . ."

"It didn't work out with me and your mom . . ./You were conceived in love."

"One day some girl's gonna break your heart."

"Throughout life people will make you mad . . . /Let God deal with the things they do . . . ."

"Always tell the truth, say your prayers/Hold doors, pull out chairs, easy on the swears."

Some people may be bothered by the colloquial words and grammar. If the book were not based on a song, that would be a problem. But I found the usages helped with the mood. This is just an ordinary man, with feet of clay, doing his best. If his grammar isn't perfect, that's just part of portraying his character.

Some readers may not like the way the rhymes scan. Some rhymes are definitely forced, but others lines flow nicely. If I were to judge the book as poetry, I would definitely grade it down for these problems. But in the context of the musical experience, I found it worked all right. So it is just a missed opportunity to be even better.

I found the recollections of what it was like before going to the hospital, the experiences there, and coming home to be especially moving.

I hope other authors will take on these important moments of fatherhood and give them their own special interpretation, as well.

The illustrations should be singled out for special praise. They create a magical mood that allows your mind to experience the book as both memory and movie while the music plays on. Whether you are black or have some other color skin, you will identify directly with the characters in these illustrations without thinking about what their color is. That is a fine achievement in portraying universal expressions of love.

Almost any father would be delighted to have this book as a gift for father's day from a daughter or son.

After you finish reading the book, take a moment to reflect on your father or your experiences as a father. If your father is still alive, share with him some of your memories of when it was "just the two of us" when you were growing up.

Be inspired by the most precious and optimistic memories you have!

"Just the two of us,
Building castles in the sky.
Just the two of us,
You and I."

Every time I came to this refrain in the book, I sang it to the Bill Withers's song of the same title. Sure enough--right on the copyright page is accredited the 1980 song used in this book, "Just the two of us." That is when I discovered also that this was a hit rap song by Will Smith. I knew he was a rapper, but never listened, so I was not familiar with the song.

"Just the Two of Us" was adapted by Smith in this celebration of fatherhood and responsibility. It is also Smith's song about his deep and abiding love for his son. According to the lyrics, Smith fell in love at seventeen. When his girlfriend became pregnant, they did the responsible thing and were married. It ended at some point with Smith obtaining custody.

Just as his parents before him, Smith works to teach his son how to be a man: "Dignity, integrity, honor..." and "Always tell the truth, say your prayers, hold doors, pull out chairs, easy on the swears..."

The closing words: "Daddy loves you! Daddy loves you! for the rest of your life." These are words that spring tears because of the power of their declaration. You know Will Smith means what he says.

The third part of the collaboration is the artwork of Kadir Nelson: beautiful, intense, and vivid, rendered in pencil and oil paint. I'm not sure why he adds the little exaggerations like that awful sway in Smith's back and the large skulls of both Smith and his son. Those are not very attractive, but not enough to take away from the gorgeous sunset picture of Smith and his son--orange sky, seagulls sweeping low, making a catch

At any rate the original Withers song as the creative source, plus the top-selling rap version, placed into a combination book of bright, happy yet realistic illustrations. This is a book that stays checked out in my school library.

Good job, Will Smith, on all fronts!

One day, I came home from work and found my daughters watching a television sitcom called, "The Fresh Prince of BelAir". Will Smith played the title role of a young man whose mom uprooted him from the tough streets of West Philly to the care of his affluent aunt and uncle in BelAir, California. The storyline hilariously depicted Will's adjustment from rags to riches with his new family; and moreover, their adjustment to their new relative. From that moment on, I became a big fan of Will Smith, watching every episode of the show, and following his career as a movie actor. Needless to say, he is a multi-talented and gifted entertainer.

Just the other day, I was in a local bookstore and ventured on over to the children's section and found this little book that Will had written. I lifted it from the display and began to read it, and with tears welling up in my eyes, was introduced to the softer, fatherly side of the Fresh Prince. Furthermore, the story caused me to reflect on the good times that I had growing up with my dad, and the importance for all dads to spend significant amounts of time with their young sons. It would be a great book for fathers and sons to read together, and would make a perfect Father's Day gift.

Will Smith bases Just the Two of Us on his rap song of the same title. The book shows a father giving advice on growing up and sharing his experiences with his son. The book instills good morals and values while showing love, support, and encouragement. The pictures by Kadir Nelson are simply breathtaking and show the life stages of a baby growing into a young man. This highly recommended book gives testimony to the unique relationship between father and son.

Will Smith captures the heart of a father's love for his son in Just the Two of Us. This book is a must for every father and son to read!

I just purchased this book, and I was blown away with the illulstrations and how well they matched the words. I remembered hearing the song when Jada was pregnant with their first and Tre' was a little guy, but I couldn't remember the flow---Regardless, the book's lyrical flow didn't need music-- it was clearly a love song. When I was done reading it to me kids--- my son smiled and said " My Daddy Loves me.." That was worth a million reads ThanX Will & Jada.

My husband and I are expecting our first child and recently learned we were having a little boy. I have heard the song many times and while I always enjoyed it, seeing the lyrics in print is so powerful. The words, along with the illistrations brought tears to my eyes. We are busy collecting books for our new little one and I simply could not do without this book. I bought it as a gift for my husband. I highly reccomend this book to anyone and everyone!

I have always been a fan of Will Smith and I really loved the song...I love the idea of the song in book form. It gives parent the opportunity to explain some of the basic things in life in language that is popular to kids and easily explained. I also enjoy the fact that my son, who is 5 yrs. old, is able to identify many of the words and he can read the story himself. It encourages positive images, good morals, reading, and it's fun. Bravo Will...

My husband has been singing this song to our son (now 3) since the day he came home from the hospital--literally singing it on the way home! I saw this book in the store and knew it would be the perfect gift for our son to give him on Father's Day.

The illustrations on each page clearly depicts the lyrics of the song. I would recommend this to anyone--even those of you who are not Will Smith fans!

This book had great illustrations, as well as a great story. Will Smith conveys a great message, talking about his son. I once had a book called, "Mom and I," that my mom would read to me everynight. Just like that book, I think I am going to read this book to my kids when they are young. This book gave me a different perspective into the feelings of Will Smith. Will Smith showed that he has a very deep caring side towards his son. This was an overall good book with a good message.