Just Like Me

October 14, 2019
In this picture-book poetry collection, Brantley-Newton (Grandma’s Purse) writes in the voices of various girls, exploring themes such as community and identity (“I Am a Canvas”), simple pleasures (“Summer Loves”), and unavoidable troubles (“Pimples”). Ranging from a few lines to the length of a page, the poems are matched with bright, textured, mixed-media illustrations featuring a variety of girls—curly and straight haired, ethnically diverse, blemish dotted, glasses wearing, spunky, shy, lonely, and empowered—in highly relatable moments. One standout piece, “A Wish For Daddy,” departs from some of the sunnier themes to address a feeling of longing: a brown-skinned girl with braids watches the joyful interactions between a schoolmate and her grinning father: “She dances on his feet/ and he tells her she’s sweet/ I wish I had a daddy/ That would be so neat.” Thoughtful, inclusive, and celebratory, this collection encourages readers to look both inward and outward, and to use kindness as a link to “go/ higher and higher/ pulling each one up.” Ages 4–8.

November 1, 2019
Brantley-Newton delivers a book of poems featuring girls of all kinds. The first few poems--"I Am a Canvas," "The Day I Decided To Become Sunshine," and "Warrior"--draw readers in through personal perspectives before "All in Together Girls" pulls out to a group perspective: "If we view each other with amazing grace / our America would be such a great place." Characters express deep self-love in "I Love My Body" and mild angst in "Pimple." A city girl longs to be a country girl, and a country girl longs to be a city girl. One girl is "weird," one is shy, one is "mixed." One girl wishes for a daddy; another lists her "Memawh's Wisdom" on how to be "a great lady someday." The girls are diverse in race, ethnicity, style, situation, relationships, and personality, and on the final spread, they all link up "like a paper chain / made of every single / color / ... / pulling each other up / ... / until our link crosses the world / like the change / we long to see." Brantley-Newton's attractive illustrations feature bright colors and layered textures and patterns, with such variety that each page has its own feel to suit its story. The poems are simple, upbeat, and affirming--a great reminder of what is to be gained when girls appreciate their own uniqueness and that of others. A dynamic, uplifting, and welcoming world of girls. (Picture book/poetry. 4-10)

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January 1, 2020

PreS-Gr 3-This collection of 28 poems features bright and colorful illustrations depicting a variety of girls. Brantley-Newton's artwork pops with neon bright shades and interesting textiles, exuding a welcoming, cheerful vibe. The poems encourage girls to love their bodies and families, and to embrace their unique personalities. On the surface, this appears to be a work of feel-good poems for young readers; however, a handful of verses discuss topics that might deter some adults from using the book as a storytime read-aloud, like "Sundress Blues," in which a gust of wind exposes a girl's underwear. "A Wish for Daddy" shows a young girl who envies another girl's tender relationship with her father. There is a subtle reference to religion in "Memawh's Wisdom," where a girl is cautioned to make "the right choice...and keep the Good Book handy...and don't forget to pray." Readers will appreciate the author's inclusive approach to the artwork (girls of many races are represented), though the illustrations are not diverse in terms of body type, physical ability, or gender expression. VERDICT A bright addition to refresh any poetry collection.-Shannon O'Connor, Unami Middle School, Chalfont, PA

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2019
Grades K-3 Brantley-Newton's vibrantly illustrated picture book offers an empowering yet playful collection of poems that explores the beauty and nuances of girlhood. Despite the girl-power through line, well over half of the poems apply to children of any gender. For instance, Warrior declares, I am a warrior / willing to fight the good fight / Respectfully / with humanity / and lovingly. And while a multi-cultural group of girls jumps rope in All in Together Girls, the message of this poem applies to all: We all belong to the human race / Diversity will help us keep the pace. The mixed-media artwork?fashioned with paints, pastels, collage, handmade paper, and "lots of magic"?features relatable, detailed scenes that pop with color and diversity. The wide array of topics covered is evident in the poems' titles: I Love My Body, Pimples, Explorer, Gumbo Me, and I Am a Canvas, to name a few. Bursting with positivity, this would be a great book to use in primary school classrooms when discussing issues of friendship, diversity, and self-esteem.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)