What I Am uses simple, rhythmic word pairings and bold, expressive illustrations to validate the complex emotions of early childhood. This story gives young readers the relief of being understood by celebrating their ability to be both shy and brave at once. Books in this family share a focus on self-acceptance and use clean visuals to explore the nuances of identity.
Reach for this book when your child expresses frustration about being 'too small' for something or when they seem confused by their own changing moods and identities. It is a perfect choice for the child who is starting to notice they can be different things to different people: a helper at home but a shy observer at school. This gentle story follows a young girl as she navigates the beautiful contradictions of being human. She explains that she can be both selfish and generous, a scaredy-cat and a brave explorer, all at the same time. Srinivasan uses simple, rhythmic text to validate that we are not just one thing. It is an essential tool for building self-acceptance and emotional intelligence in children aged 3 to 7, helping them understand that their complexity is not a flaw, but a superpower.
