Sunday, October 18

whoever you are

A couple of years ago I was looking through the children's section of Barnes and Nobles, when I found this great book:


Whoever You Are

By: Mem Fox

Illustrated by: Leslie Staub


It was hiding in the paperback section where all the books are sort of mixed up on shelves. You have to pull each book out to see it. I, by chance, pulled this one out and it caught my interest by the cover alone. It had this man holding four children of different ethnicities while what appeared to be flying around the earth.

I've always been interested in diversity. I think it's awesome to meet people from different backgrounds, from different places. I love learning about different cultures and different traditions. I've always believed that although we may come from different places and may look very different from one another, that we all have the same hopes, dreams, and feelings.

When I opened to read this book I knew from the first page that I'd be purchasing it that day. It's message is absolutely true and wonderful. It's a great read for children, and I believe there are many, many adults that should read this as well. Here are some lines from the book that I love:

"Little one, whoever you are, wherever you are, there are little ones just like you all over the world. Their skin may be different from yours...their lives may be different from yours...but inside their hearts are just like yours...Their smiles are like yours...Their hurts are like yours...when you are older and when you are grown, you may be different, and they may be different...But remember this: Joys are the same, and love is the same. Pain is the same, and blood is the same. Smiles are the same, and hearts are just the same-wherever they are, wherever you are, wherever we are, all over the world."

See? Isn't that beautiful? It's like someone was able to take all my thoughts and beliefs about diversity that I've had since I was a little girl and wrap them up into this book.

May you take a little inspiration from this...have a great day, whoever you are. ;-)

2 comments:

  1. i am with you. it is great to meet people from diff backgrounds and to learn from these individuals.

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  2. I love Mem Fox's books. I love her possum one, too. (I can't remember the name of it though.) One of my professors in college knew her. What a great books. What does Little One think of it?

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