Simon, Jazmyn. Repeat After Me: Big Things to Say Every Day. Shamar Knight-Justice, Illus. Addl. Creators Dule Hill. Random, 05/2023. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-593-42697-5. GRADES Preschool–2. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
In this unusual picture book, each spread contains an affirmation to promote a child’s self-esteem, paired with a four- to six-line rhyme relating to the quality mentioned in the affirmation. For example: “I am BRAVE. You are courageous, gutsy, and a little bit daring—and sometimes your bravery means being kind and caring.” Black children are the main characters depicted in the full-color, digitally-created illustrations, but classmates of other ethnicities are represented, too. Parents looking for books that will help their children with social and emotional learning may be the main audience for this. It will partner well with Christian Robinson’s You Matter (Atheneum, 2020).
Penny Peck—SJSU iSchool