I Am Human

September 1, 2018

PreS-Gr 3-This companion book to I Am Yoga and I Am Peace explores what it means to be human. It begins with "I was born. A miracle! One of billions but unique!" and continues with traits that make us human-learning, having dreams, seeing possibility, curiosity, wonder, and friendships. Then it addresses the not-so-great stuff: hurting others with words or actions; being fearful or sad. It also offers a way to get beyond the not-perfect bits-with thoughtfulness, kindness, helping, being fair, listening, and apologizing. Verde brings it all together in the end with the connectedness of humans to each other. The clear and concise text is well-matched by Reynolds' familiar illustrations in which viewers follow an unnamed boy of color (born on page one) on his human journey. As in the previous books, each page features an abundance of white space around the main illustration, giving readers plenty of room to absorb the thoughtful text. An author's note on being human with a short lesson on loving-kindness meditation is appended. VERDICT An age-appropriate and hopeful look at what it means to be a connected human on this planet. It can be read as a picture book with big ideas or used as a great discussion starter.-Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2018
Verde and Reynolds (I am Yoga, 2015; I Am Peace, 2017) team up again, this time to explore what it means to be human.A child in red-striped shirt and blue jeans explores the range of possibilities open to them as a human being. Starting with "I was born. A miracle! One of billions but unique!" the narrator lists activities ("I am always learning"; "I have BIG dreams") and feelings ("I am amazed by nature"). After rejoicing in the positive, the child finds that they sometimes make mistakes, hurt others, and are hurt. They explore the difficult sides of being human: fear and sadness. Here, the colors of the illustrations dull to a greyish blue. But they have a solution. They can "make choices" and "move forward" with "thoughtfulness" (giving flowers to that friend they hurt). When the child chooses kindness, compassion, listening, and saying sorry, they find that they are connected to everyone, and they resolve to keep trying, because "I am full of hope. I am human." Reynolds' simple line drawings with bursts of color have become iconic, and they serve the simple, affirming text with their own vision of the emotions and possibilities we humans have in this wide world. He depicts the protagonist with brown skin and black, curly hair amid a multiracial gathering of other children and adults. An author's note guides readers through a loving-kindness meditation as an example of how one can choose to improve one's relationships with others.Grown-ups will enjoy reading this regularly with the children in their lives: The reminders benefit us all. (Picture book. 3-9)

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January 1, 2019
A boy describes his personal characteristics, such as having "a playful side" and "endless curiosity," and also enumerates the broader qualities of being human, including making mistakes and making amends. Reynolds's recognizable expressive vignettes extend the mindfulness-themed text; an author's note describes the benefits of empathy, love, and compassion, and gives instructions for a loving-kindness meditation.

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)