From the Publisher
"An outstanding and affirming story….Srinivasan’s latest offering is a universal story that belongs in all collections.” –School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
“A picture book celebrating the nuances of living with multiple identities.” –Kirkus Reviews
“A charming primer for emerging readers that, when scaffolded by adult guidance, can also start conversations around identity with older readers.” –Booklist
"An exploration that will elicit much audience discussion.” –BCCB
Kirkus Reviews
2021-06-02
When this book’s unnamed, female, Indian American protagonist is asked, “What are you?” she responds with humor and grace.
She is, in fact, so many different things. For example, she is a daughter, a granddaughter, and a mother (to her stuffed animals). To some people, she is light skinned, while to others, she is dark. In her own eyes, she is a bundle of contradictions. Sometimes she is mean, and other times she is kind. Sometimes she likes being with friends, and other times she likes being alone. All in all, the protagonist decides, she is someone who she—and her family and friends—loves. According to the author’s note, Srinivasan wrote the story in response to a real-life incident in which her sister was asked, “What are you?” at a young age. The book is a gorgeously human answer to this dehumanizing question. The spare, efficient text, a series of declarations, and the inked illustrations are a beautiful tribute to multiple identities and a celebration of the contradictory personality traits that make us all who we are. There is humor in some details: When afraid, the child cowers as a thunderstorm rages outside; when brave, she fearlessly (and bloodlessly) rescues a cowering relation from a bug. When she announces her vegetarianism, she's seen with two friends who are chomping on pepperoni and sausage pizza while she enjoys a slice topped with veggies.
A picture book celebrating the nuances of living with multiple identities. (Picture book. 2-5)
