Whoever You Are by Mem Fox, Illustrated by Leslie Staub, Published in 1997
Whoever You Are is a wonderful children's book about the similarities that join us together, despite the differences in people around the world. This book shares that though people's skin, homes, schools, and language may be very different, their hearts are just the same. It highlights the similarities that we all share; such as, love, joy, laughter, pain, and sadness, and shows that we are all a part of this world, wherever we are.
Mem Fox is an Australian writer of children's books and
dedicates this story to "you, whoever you are" (Fox, 1997).
Fox uses very simple language that is geared towards
young children, demonstrating the peace, equality, and
unity we hope to make evident to all children. The author
explains that every child is different, but mentions the
Staub's illustrations perfectly depicts the message the
author was conveying throughout the book. Her pictures
tell the story just as well as the text, and does an
exceptional job on depicting children of all races and places
throughout the world. Staub uses a type of folk-art painting
to portray the children in the story to look like little dolls.
One may argue that some of the illustrations portray stereotyping; such as some of the Asian girls wearing rice or straw hats or the African American children playing with a monkey. However, this book is not stereotyping different cultures, but rather showing how different we are not only by our appearance, but in how we learn, interact, and celebrate with one another. Fox directly states in the beginning of her book that though others' skin, homes, and land may look different, they love, laugh, and feel the same as you do. There are children of all races shown in this story with how they learn and live within their own culture being depicted.
Whoever You Are is a positive and appropriate book for young children that Publishers Weekly considers to "provide a compelling exploration of the differences between children that make them unique as well as the common humanity that unites them" (publishersweekly.com). I would most definitely consider this book to be well suited for a classroom environment. It is a wonderful story for young children to teach them about the traditions that different cultures have, as well as the similarities that we all share. This would also be a great book for parents to read to their young children at home, demonstrating the acceptance for others as an entire family.
References:
- 10 Quick Ways to Analyze Children's Books for Racism and Sexism. Adapted from the original brochure, which was published by the Council on Interracial Books for Children by the California State Department of Education. Sacramento, 1998.
- Fox, M. Whoever You Are. 1997.
- Whoever You Are. (n.d.). In Publishers Weekly. Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com:8080/978-0-15-200787-4
- Whoever You Are. (n.d.). In Sweet On Books. Retrieved from http://www.sweetonbooks.com/all-titles/261-whoever-you-are.html
Thanks for the review Christina. One thing that I liked about this book was that it depicted different skin colors dressed differently to represent the different cultures, rather some might be seen as stereotypical as you stated, I agree that it is to signify that each individual is different and come from different cultures. This book is a great read to show children that no matter the skin color or culture that everyone loves, laughs, and feels the same way as another. That point should never be forgotten, even as an adult.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great choice! It seems like a good book. What I like about your blog is that you put more than one picture. I didn't know that Mem Fox was an Australian writer. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you her wording in this book is fantastic. However, I might agree with individuals that believe the pictures do show stereotypes. For instance the page about African American playing with monkeys gives children the false idea that all African America individuals play with monkeys. I can see how people believe it is stereotypical.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a good book with a positive message. The illustrations could be appropriate because they are supposed to represent accurate examples of other cultures. Like you said "showing how different we are not only by our appearance, but in how we learn, interact, and celebrate with one another." I could also understand with others that thought the images were stereotypical because of the imaging that it gives children; such as picturing African Americans playing with monkeys as Katie McCoy said. All in all I would guess that this is a good book for children because the message that it conveys sound great.
ReplyDeleteFrom your summary, the book sounds like it sends a very positive message. The illustrations may have been "stereotypical" but over all sends a great message to kids. I love the message that even though we look different we all love and laugh the same. Great review.
ReplyDeleteThis book looks really interesting and I would love to read it. I like how you explained the story and what the differences were from the cultures. This book would be great for children showing them how different ethnicities are different and what the differences are.
ReplyDeleteChristina, I have never seen this book but I am happy you picked it and brought it to my attention. I think this would also be a wonderful book to read to children. It is a positive and I believe an appropriate book to read and educate children about different cultures and how we are all different and what makes them unique but also what they have in common.
ReplyDeleteThis book is my favorite book. I was going to choose it for my analyse but you were choosing it before me:-) The whole massage of this book is that we are all same even though we have differences such as skin color, home address, and culture. It shows different people from across the world in every page and at the end bring on some things that we all similar about like blood, happiness, and sadness. Good job on your analysis.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is important that children in school are taught about other cultures/ their traditions. Our society mainstreams whites and all of the major holidays that are celebrated pertain to them. History taught in schools required by curriculum are also based on whites. I think that you chose a good book. I like how you point out how everyone shares the same emotions.
ReplyDelete