Be You!

Written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

Orchard Books (An imprint of Scholastic)

978-1-338-57231-5

32 pp.

Ages 4-8

March 2020

With words and art, Peter H. Reynolds is an inspiration of compassion, self-acceptance and living a good life well. In Be You!, which opens with a dedication to Stephanie Germanotta, the song queen of being yourself, Peter H. Reynolds will touch young readers with the positive message to be their best selves.

From Be You! by Peter H. Reynolds

My wish for you –
no matter where your journey leads –
is for you to always...
Be YOU!

In a series of simple directives, Peter H. Reynolds implores the reader to Be ready...to take that next step toward being an amazing human being and to be curious, adventurous, connected, persistent, different, kind and understanding, and brave. He encourages and empowers and accepts that everyone needs different things at different times. It could mean spending time alone, or asking for help, or being patient, because good things take time. 

From Be You! by Peter H. Reynolds

With that openness to possibilities and self-acceptance, he assures that there will be love and you've got this one.

You are ready.
So...go ahead. BE YOU.
Be very, very YOU!

I know that Be You! is a children's picture book but it's actually an empowering and meaningful self-help book for all. Peter H. Reynolds reminds us to be hopeful and accepting of ourselves, knowing that, with time and effort and affirmation, being oneself is pretty good. His illustrations, which rely heavily on watercolours, gouache and ink (though I've read he will use tea and other liquids too!), are emboldening in their colours and line. Life is not for the faint of heart and Be You!'s illustrations remind us to be present and live boldly, even if quietly sometimes. Reading his books–I have reviewed Happy Dreamer (2017), The Word Collector (2018) and Say Something! (2018) here–have always touched me with their compelling but simple messages of goodness. For anyone who needs reminders that it's good to just be yourself and be hopeful of the outcomes, Be You! does that.

From Be You! by Peter H. Reynolds