Book

I'm Gonna Like Me

by Jamie Lee Curtis, Laura Cornell

📖 Overview

A young child shares moments of self-acceptance and confidence throughout different daily activities and life experiences. The rhyming text follows the narrator expressing pride and self-worth in both achievements and mistakes. The illustrations depict diverse children in colorful, energetic scenes that complement the first-person narrative. Each spread shows relatable situations like the first day of school, trying new things, and dealing with challenges. The book addresses themes of self-esteem, resilience, and embracing one's unique qualities in an accessible way for young readers. This celebration of individuality encourages children to maintain confidence and self-respect regardless of circumstances or outcomes.

👀 Reviews

Parents and teachers report this book helps children build self-esteem while avoiding heavy-handedness. Readers appreciate the playful rhyming text and detailed illustrations that show relatable childhood moments. Likes: - Message encourages self-acceptance without focusing on appearance - Illustrations include diverse children and family situations - Works well for classroom discussions about confidence - Balances fun and meaning for young readers Dislikes: - Some find the rhyming text forces awkward word choices - A few readers note the illustrations appear cluttered - Several mention the book feels too long for toddlers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (270+ ratings) Representative review: "My daughter asks for this book often. The scenes showing both success and mistakes help her understand it's okay to be imperfect." - Goodreads reviewer

📚 Similar books

Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell This story follows a girl who learns to embrace her unique qualities through her grandmother's wisdom.

I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont The text presents a child celebrating self-acceptance through different situations and characteristics.

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi A Korean girl starting school in America discovers the importance of embracing her identity and cultural name.

Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg This interactive book transforms mistakes into creative opportunities, teaching self-acceptance through art.

The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds A story about a girl who discovers her artistic abilities by starting with a simple mark on paper grows into confidence.

🤔 Interesting facts

★ Jamie Lee Curtis wrote this book to help children build self-esteem and accept themselves, inspired by her own journey of self-acceptance and her experiences as a mother. ★ The book's illustrator, Laura Cornell, has collaborated with Jamie Lee Curtis on 11 children's books, creating their signature whimsical and detailed illustration style. ★ Through playful rhymes, the story shows everyday moments when children can feel proud of themselves, whether they succeed or make mistakes. ★ The book addresses both boys and girls equally, featuring two main characters who take turns sharing their perspectives on self-love and confidence. ★ Published in 2002, "I'm Gonna Like Me" spent several weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and has become a popular choice for teaching emotional intelligence in elementary school classrooms.