Customer Reviews

Me I Am!

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Prelutsky, Jack, Me I Am!, FSG, 2007, 1983

Prelutsky's classic poem, entitled ME I AM (c1983) celebrates self-esteem, "no other ME I AM can fit precisely in my skin" and is brought to life in a splendid pairing with Christine Davenier's lively illustrations that portray three children in animated movement: leaping, jumping, riding a bike, ballet dancing and many other effervescent or thoughtful activities. The excitement of each individual "Me" as they go about their daily activities is created out of numerous little vignettes that thoughtfully interpret the simple yet powerful text: a boy finds a bird that has fallen out of a nest, and rescues and cares for it, (presumably, the mother has rejected her baby after it was first put back in the nest.) His room is filled with animals, plants, and science books, A young girl is roller skating, she falls down, but then triumphantly picks herself up to skate some more, and a brown-faced girl is ballet dancing both in her room and in her imagination. The three children converge in a final double spread when they join many more children hanging from the word ME! There are many blond or red haired children but few clearly visible representations of other cultures on the inside pages, although the cover definitely suggests a more multicultural cast of children; Nevertheless, all of them are clearly bursting with action and glee. There is so much going on that children will listen to the poem and then likely want to pour over the colorful exuberant illustrations.

"Me I Am!" by Jack Prelutsky and illustrated by Christine Davenier, celebrates the individuality in every child.

Based on a single poem by Prelutsky, "Me I Am!" follows the exuberant personality of several children as they show their stuff--baseball stances, roller skating, bike riding, insect-studying, ballet dancing, and dressing up. The kids are gleeful as they pursue their passions in a chaotic, kinetic kid-like style.

Here are the first eight lines of "Me I Am!":

I am the only ME I AM
who qualifies as me;
no ME I AM has been before,
and none will ever be.

No other ME I AM can feel
the feelings I've within;
no other ME I AM can fit
precisely in my skin.

"Me I Am!" is the perfect choice for a child who is feeling a little out of place. Best suited for children ages three to seven, "Me I Am!" encourages children to find the special within themselves. Christine Davenier's illustrations are simply wonderful--colorful, busy and full-of-life. Children will search for kindred spirits in these pictures. Davenier includes not only active, busy kids, but also the detritus of their lives. Books, frogs, flowers, items of clothing, and art supplies litter the pages, just as they do the lives of young children. Enjoy!

Cute with fun illustrations, but the repetitiveness a little boring for my 4-5 yr old... still a good lesson to learn and talk about...