A Note From Ms. Kate:
In January many of us focus on self-improvement. The goals vary. Perhaps we want to change our bodies, get ourselves organized, or learn a new skill. Few of us consider that we can improve our relationship with the person we spend the most time with: ourselves.
We often spend time teaching children to love themselves. But let’s see what we can do to take this message and also apply it ourselves. The children and families we serve are wonderful. Each and every one of them.
So, perhaps, we can accept that we might not be so bad ourselves. And internalize the love and lessons that these amazing books share.
In Solidarity,
Kate (she/they)
Founder, Storytime Solidarity
Letting off some self-esteem:
- BE WHO YOU ARE! by Todd Parr.
- BIG BOLD BEAUTIFUL ME by Maddison Stemple-Piatt, Jane Yolen, and Chloe Burgett.
- COMPLETELY ME by Justine Green and Ana Luísa Silva.
- I AM KIKI! I LOVE ME! by Tammy Paikai and Eliza Fortney.
- I AM PERFECTLY DESIGNED by Karamo Brown, Jason Brown, and Anoosha Syed.
- I LIKE ME! by Nancy Carlson.
- I LIKE MYSELF! by Karen Beaumont and David Catrow.
- I LOVE ME by Sally Morgan and Ambelin Kwaymullina.
- I LOVE MY BODY BECAUSE by Shelly Anand, Nomi Ellenson, and Erika Medina.
- I’M GONNA LIKE ME: LETTING OFF A LITTLE SELF-ESTEEM by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell.
- MARY WEARS WHAT SHE WANTS by Keith Negley.
- THE ME I CHOOSE TO BE by Natasha Anatasia Tarpley, Regis Bethencourt, and Kahran Bethencourt.
- MY HAIR, MY CROWN by Tonya Abari and Tabitha Brown.
- PERFECTLY IMPERFECT MIRA by Faith Pray.
- PRINCESS HAIR by Sharee Miller.
- RIGHT NOW by Jessica Olien.
- STAND TALL, MOLLY LOU MELON by Patty Lvell and David Catrow.
- STELLA’S STELLAR HAIR by Yesenia Moises.
- STRONG by Rob Kearney, Eric Rosswood, and Nidhi Chanani.
- THIS IS ME! by Sally Morgan.
- WOW! IT SURE IS GOOD TO BE YOU! by Cynthia Jabar.
- YOU ARE LIFE by Bao Phi and Hannah Li.
- YOU RULE by Rilla Alexander.
- YOUR NAME IS A SONG by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and Luisa Uribe.
A note from Auntie Anne:
The inspiration for this post started as an antidote to the usual February Valentine’s ideas.
I’m sure many of you expand the theme of love to include love of friends, family, pets, community….
But, I still find it uncomfortable to base a storytime for little ones, around something that is — at its heart (and excusing the pun) — all about romantic relationships.
I want all our little ones to grow up and have the romantic relationships they want and deserve.
But, more than that, I want them to love themselves. They are all so wonderful and loveable. I want them to remember this always.
And, that’s a message we all need. Even grownups. Even library workers.
