You Are a Story - Hardcover

Raczka, Bob

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0823449149 ISBN 13: 9780823449149

Publisher: Neal Porter Books, 2023

Synopsis

An empowering reflection on the many things we are and the ways we relate to the world.

Poet Bob Raczka’s You are a Story highlights all of the nuance and potential of a growing person’s identity, delighting in the things that make us special and connect us to others. Text and illustrations replete with inventive imagery and appealing metaphors show how we all live as individuals and citizens of the world.

You are a living thing.
You breathe. You eat. You Sleep.
You work and play.
You have dreams and fears.
You have thoughts and memories.
You are.

What makes you you? So much goes into who you are, and you are so many different things: A child, an animal, a body of water, a friend, a mystery, one-of-a-kind, a miracle. You are and could be so many things, but whatever you choose to do, it’s your life to write, you are a story.

A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year

About this title

About the Author

Bob Raczka attended the University of Illinois, where he received a degree in graphic design. He writes collections of children's poetry and his own series, BOB RACZKA'S ADVENTURES IN ART. His children's books include NIKO DRAWS A FEELING andWET CEMENT: A MIX OF CONCRETE POEMS, both of which have received multiple starred reviews.  He lives in Glen Ellyn, Illinois with his wife and three children.

Reviews

Gr 1–5—This book breaks being human down into chapterlike sections, each of which begins with a bold face sentence. "You are" a living thing, someone's child, an animal, a body of water, an astronaut, a sponge, a friend, under construction, a mystery, one-of-a-kind, a miracle, a story. The chapters range from a single spread to several pages long and clearly and efficiently cover a lot of ground without being heavy-handed or didactic. They dispense facts ("More than half of you is made from water"), speculate ("Where will you live?"), and give advice ("Tell your story to others. Then listen to theirs"). The illustrations, featuring people with a variety of skin tones and abilities, enhance the text with lively scenes in various styles that will keep readers engaged. It would pair beautifully with Howard Schwartz's All You Need. VERDICT This delightful primer on being human is a mix of facts, speculation, and advice which is not to be missed. It will definitely get kids and adults alike thinking about what it means to be them in this world both now and in the future.—Catherine Callegari

Edition details

• Publisher: Neal Porter Books
• Publication date: 2023
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0823449149
• ISBN 13: 9780823449149
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Howdeshell Kristen, Howdeshell Kevin
• Number of pages: 32