I Am Smart, I Am Blessed, I Can Do Anything!

by Alissa Holder, Zulekha Holder-Young, Nneka Myers (Illustrator)

Overview

Based on a viral video comes the story of one boy's positive energy and how a sunny outlook can turn everything around.

It's a new day and Ayaan has woken up on the wrong side of the bed, where nothing feels quite right. What if he doesn't know the answer at school? What if he messes up? But as he sets out that morning, all it takes is a few reminders from his mom and some friends in the neighborhood to remind him that a new day is a good day because...
HE IS SMART,
HE IS BLESSED,
AND HE CAN DO ANYTHING!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593206607
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	12/29/2020
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	17,540
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 9.40(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Alissa Holder is a graduate of the State University of New York at Albany, where she earned a bachelor's degree in sociology. She has always had a passion for working with children and works as a teacher at a childcare center in New York City. She is the mother of two children, Ayaan Diop and Alaïa.

Zulekha Holder-Young is a graduate of Spelman College, where she earned her bachelor's degree in economics. She has passed on her love of reading to her three children, Amari, Amir, and Aria. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, children, and their dog, Mochi.

Nneka Myers is an illustrator and character designer based in Toronto, Canada. Since graduating with a BAA in animation from Sheridan College, her vibrant illustrations and designs have been published in several children's books and in animated preschool shows.

Editorial Reviews

"The open relationship and positive problem-solving between this mother-son team are cheerful and warm. Families looking to practice affirmations may find inspiration here." - Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2020-10-14
Young Ayaan needs affirmations to prepare for his day at school.

Ayaan loves school, but today he feels “a little bit worried.” His mom notices that he’s not looking happy as he usually does. He tells her what’s bothering him: “Sometimes at school I don’t feel very smart.” In the accompanying illustration, he imagines his classmates all raising their hands while he frowns. Ayaan’s mom has an answer for that, and it’s one Ayaan knows. They say it together: “I am smart.” Ayaan feels better, but he’s still dubious. As his mom walks him to school, they see encouraging friends and neighbors, which prompts their second affirmation: “I am blessed.” When Ayaan needs to tie his shoelace, his mom encourages him to try it all by himself. When he succeeds, they chant their third affirmation: “I CAN DO ANYTHING!” At last, Ayaan feels confident and ready for a good day at school. The bright, saturated, animation-style illustrations show a small, brown-skinned Ayaan with bright eyes and a high-top, a brown mom with colorful locs, and a racially diverse neighborhood and classroom. Ayaan’s dilemma is a common one, and the open relationship and positive problem-solving between this mother-son team are cheerful and warm. Families looking to practice affirmations may find inspiration here. (This book was reviewed digitally with 8-by-18.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at 62.2% of actual size.)

A sweet pick-me-up. (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews

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