With the ease and simplicity of a nursery rhyme, this lively story delivers an important message of social acceptance to young readers. Themes associated with child development and social harmony, such as friendship, acceptance, self-esteem, and diversity are promoted in simple and straightforward prose. Vivid illustrations of children's activities for all cultures, such as swimming in the ocean, hugging, catching butterflies, and eating birthday cake are also provided. This delightful picturebook offers a wonderful venue through which parents and teachers can discuss important social concepts with their children.
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2–This picture book takes a cheerful look at human diversity by focusing on skin. Rhyming verses describe the many experiences that can be had in it ("The skin you have fun in;/the skin that you run in;/the skin that you hop,/skip and jump in the sun in…"); the different shades in which it comes ("Your butterscotch gold skin,/your lemon tart bold skin;/your mountain high apple pie,/cookie dough rolled skin!"); and the things that it is not ("It's not tall skin/or short skin,/or best in the sport skin"). The poem ends by emphasizing the importance of the " 'You' who's within" and pointing out that skin is something that makes individuals different and similar at the same time. Tyler's cadenced language makes this a very rhythmic read-aloud. Csicsko's vibrant and energetic illustrations are a perfect complement to the text and feature stylized children with elliptical faces and flowing fingers. Differences in the appearances of the youngsters go beyond skin color and include hairstyles, freckles, and eye shape. While somewhat lengthy–the metaphors seem to go on and on–this volume is an affirming addition to the collection of books dealing with self-esteem and multiculturalism.–Kathleen Meulen, Blakely Elementary School, Bainbridge Island, WA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
"Brightly colored, engaging illustrations . . . accompanied by a poem by Michael Tyler that celebrates all kinds of skin." -- San Antonio Express-News
"Easy vocabulary and bouncy rhythm." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"They deliver a message about the beauty of diversity and the importance of accepting one another." -- The Dallas Morning News
"Using simple words and colorful images . . . offers the message that everyone is different, but the same, too." -- Chicago Parent
"Easy vocabulary and bouncy rhythm." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"They deliver a message about the beauty of diversity and the importance of accepting one another." -- The Dallas Morning News
"Using simple words and colorful images . . . offers the message that everyone is different, but the same, too." -- Chicago Parent
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
43 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As a Jewish father of four who is very conscientious about the social development of his children, this book will become the cornerstone of that concern. Every child should have it. Every adult should read it. Every school, library, synagogue, church and mosque should stock it. The Skin You Live In is what America needs in order to finally become "America, The Beautiful". The artwork and illustrations only further serve this point. The book is simply beautiful and transcends any other children's book ever written to overcome what divides us.
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The stated age for this book is four and up. It's a beautifully illustrated book, but the language is so figurative and complex that I think it's more appropriate for older children. Here are some sample passages so that you may decide for yourself if this book is appropriate for your child's developmental level (my daughter is a new five-year-old):
To describe the different shades of skin (there are several pages like this):
"Your pumpkin pie slice skin,
your caramel corn nice skin;
your toffee wrapped,
ginger snapped
cinnamon spice skin!
Your butterscotch gold skin,
your lemon tart bold skin;
your mountain high apple pie,
cookie dough rolled skin!"
To explain the purpose of skin:
"It's trembling fright skin
and cringes at night skin,
but turn off the lights
to make birthday-cake
bright skin."
To discourage stereotypes (This part really confused my daughter. I had to explain these were BAD things to think. She seemed confused by all these negative thoughts that suddenly appeared in such a happy, celebratory book).
"It's not dumb skin or smart skin,
or keep us apart skin,
or weak skin or strong skin,
I'm right and you're wrong skin.
Nor she skin or he skin,
you're better than me skin;
I'm lesser than you skin,
it's me against you skin."
To make you appreciate yourself. This was right after the stereotype part, and my daughter said, "This is still bad right?" I think the language was just too complex:
"You're a gifted creation
with imagination.
You're a new day desire to reach even higher."
My daughter told me that the meaning of the book was you needed to take care of your skin and not let it tear. We have re-read the book several times, and I have been careful to explain, "This is a really fancy way to say, "People come in all different colors and that's good," or "We like all skin colors." If I had been able to read the complete book before buying it, I would have chosen a different book that's message was a lot more direct and clear (just my personal preference). I hope these samples will allow you to decide of this book explains the message in a way your child can understand.
To describe the different shades of skin (there are several pages like this):
"Your pumpkin pie slice skin,
your caramel corn nice skin;
your toffee wrapped,
ginger snapped
cinnamon spice skin!
Your butterscotch gold skin,
your lemon tart bold skin;
your mountain high apple pie,
cookie dough rolled skin!"
To explain the purpose of skin:
"It's trembling fright skin
and cringes at night skin,
but turn off the lights
to make birthday-cake
bright skin."
To discourage stereotypes (This part really confused my daughter. I had to explain these were BAD things to think. She seemed confused by all these negative thoughts that suddenly appeared in such a happy, celebratory book).
"It's not dumb skin or smart skin,
or keep us apart skin,
or weak skin or strong skin,
I'm right and you're wrong skin.
Nor she skin or he skin,
you're better than me skin;
I'm lesser than you skin,
it's me against you skin."
To make you appreciate yourself. This was right after the stereotype part, and my daughter said, "This is still bad right?" I think the language was just too complex:
"You're a gifted creation
with imagination.
You're a new day desire to reach even higher."
My daughter told me that the meaning of the book was you needed to take care of your skin and not let it tear. We have re-read the book several times, and I have been careful to explain, "This is a really fancy way to say, "People come in all different colors and that's good," or "We like all skin colors." If I had been able to read the complete book before buying it, I would have chosen a different book that's message was a lot more direct and clear (just my personal preference). I hope these samples will allow you to decide of this book explains the message in a way your child can understand.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By Maine Mom
Format:Hardcover
My kids love turning the pages of this book - the colors and freshness of the illustrations are very eye-catching. Most importantly, the message is a natural, beautiful one about color and skin. My 2nd grader is studying a unit on Ellis Island and immigration and how America has been built by many people from different nations. This book is a great complement to their studies.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A beautifully illustrated book with an invaluable lesson
I LOVE this book! I purchased this book for my 4-year-old daughter who will be starting preschool this fall. Read more
Published 12 days ago by AKR3
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful book - especially for our biracial family
This book is wonderful. We bought our first copy from Unicef. They no longer sell it and we wanted to buy some more for our daughter's pre-school and a friend with a new baby... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Liz
5.0 out of 5 stars
The skin you live in
very nice book. easy read, colorful pictures. I use this book in my child care center for multi cultural reading.
Published 5 months ago by Barbara
3.0 out of 5 stars
Nice idea... tricky text
I'm a teacher (and soon to be first time mom) so I LOVE books for children. I loved the multi-racial faces in this book - the pictures/art was fantastic. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Book Fanatic
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's never too early to talk about race and celebrate diversity
I am white. I live in one of our country's most segregated cities, but I live in a relatively mixed race neighborhood. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Jennifer Adams
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cute!
The Skin You Live In is a cute book full of simple, yet adorable illustrations. The wording is in a tone that makes you want to sing-song the pages. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Simply Chasity
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of my kid's favorite books
This is a standard read in our home...my kids love this book. They are 2 and 3 years old now and this book never gets boring for them... Read more
Published 21 months ago by JK
5.0 out of 5 stars
AMAZING
I'm a teacher at a cooperative preschool with a dedicated anti-bias mission. This is a beautiful book about being proud of who you are from your skin tone to the dreams in your... Read more
Published on November 20, 2010 by risingsong
5.0 out of 5 stars
Review from Books That Heal Kids
As an elementary school counselor, I depend on books like The Skin You Live in to help create, teach, and embrace social awareness and acceptance. Read more
Published on July 12, 2010 by Books That Heal Kids
1.0 out of 5 stars
Kids Won't Like It, and Neither Did I
I spent a good bit of time reading reviews for a variety of children's books -- I was interested in buying something new and a little different for my children. Read more
Published on March 29, 2010 by S. Klein
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