Be You, I’m already taken

Being You by Alexs Pate and illustrated by Soud is a fairly idealistic look at being You.

The story is very modern. Therefore, if you are looking for a slightly different book about “it’s good to be you” story this is it. I do not mean the story itself is different (the story is like any other with this theme) but the illustrations are different. While there is a mix of children there is defiantly more minority children. And the feeling of the illustrations gives you a more city school feeling.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this. In fact, this is what makes this a good book. However, there are so many books about being yourself with diversity, I do not see this one as standing out. I do not see it becoming a classic. It will get attention. It should even get an award or two. I would not be surprised if it was a Caldecott honor at least.

The illustrations are what make the book for me. They are just colorful, bright, delightful examples of the story itself as well as a slight side story. The end says that sometimes you find a friend and the how you find that friend might come at a surprising time or place. That side story is the friendship, but the main part is the “being you” story.

Pate is an expert in this field. He has study, written about and won awards in these areas. Soud also has been involved with children and creating works for all ages.