I Absolutely, Positively Love My Spots

by Lid'ya C. Rivera, Niña Mata (Illustrator)

Overview

"Highly recommended." —School Library Journal

A 55th NAACP Image Award Nominee for Best Children's Literature

A young girl with vitiligo celebrates her skin in this joyful picture book by debut author Lid’ya C. Rivera and illustrated by #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Niña Mata!

This lyrical celebration of self-esteem, perseverance, and loving the skin you're in will inspire all children to appreciate their spots or what makes them different. Perfect for pairing with I Am Enough by Grace Byers, Remarkably You by Pat Zietlow Miller, and I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes.

Includes a personal letter from the author and facts about vitiligo.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063119970
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	06/06/2023
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	199,894
Product dimensions:	9.90(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Lid’ya C. Rivera is a proud vitiligo advocate, decorated Navy sailor, award-winning filmmaker, and confidence coach. She was diagnosed as an infant with vitiligo, causing her to face childhood bullying and low self-esteem, which later inspired her passion for storytelling and raising awareness about the skin disorder. Lid’ya is a native of Georgia and currently resides in Florida with her three daughters and son. She is a graduate of Excelsior University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Visit her online at lidyacrivera.com.

Editorial Reviews

07/17/2023

“I stand up and I stand out./ I am the light and the spark,” declares the vivacious narrator of Rivera’s upbeat debut, a Black child with vitiligo who indicates that “I was created special/ with my many beauty marks.” As other kids, portrayed with varied skin tones, ask about the protagonist’s appearance, referencing their “blotches,” “dots,” and “patches,” the child’s parents affirm that “Vitiligo makes you YOU!” and “You’re royalty through and through!” After playing indoors and out, the narrator takes the stage for a guitar performance as rhythmic language builds to an emphatic declaration: “I’m standing bold and beautiful/ as I rock what I got,// ’Cause I absolutely, positively/ love my spots!” Via texture and contrast, digital illustrations from Mata add warmth and lightheartedness to this self-loving tale. An author’s note and notes about vitiligo conclude. Ages 4–8. (June)

Publishers Weekly

A lovely ode to the beauty of those with vitiligo is showcased in this rhyming picture book. Bright colors along with a vast array of fine details makes this an excellent choice for patrons of all ages.” — School Library Journal

“This utterly charming picture book from vitiligo advocate Rivera exudes self-love from cover to cover. Her confidence is infectious. Mata’s illustrations are full of texture and joy. Much-needed encouragement to love the skin we’re in.” — Kirkus Reviews

“I stand up and I stand out./ I am the light and the spark,” declares the vivacious narrator of Rivera’s upbeat debut...Via texture and contrast, digital illustrations from Mata add warmth and lightheartedness to this self-loving tale. — Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

03/17/2023

PreS-Gr 4—A lovely ode to the beauty of those with vitiligo is showcased in this rhyming picture book. An endearing nameless narrator takes readers through the various reasons why she "absolutely positively love my spots!" Her enthusiasm for everyday activities along with smiling faces of friends and family creates a sense of joy that permeates the book. When the narrator mentions unkind questions from other children, her parents are there reaffirming her beauty and her spirit. Bright colors along with a vast array of fine details makes this an excellent choice for patrons of all ages. VERDICT Highly recommended for all picture book collections.—Maria Graybosch

School Library Journal

2023-04-24
A Black girl with vitiligo celebrates what makes her different.

This utterly charming picture book from vitiligo advocate Rivera exudes self-love from cover to cover. The story opens with the protagonist admiring herself in the mirror: “I stand up and I stand out / I am the light and the spark.” She admires the beauty marks on her face, hands, and legs. Others are curious about her “patches,” “dots,” or “blotches.” The child introduces the term vitiligo to explain why her skin looks the way it does. Her mother tells her, “Vitiligo makes you YOU!” while her father says she’s “royalty through and through.” The young protagonist proudly proclaims, “My skin is fly!” Whether she is playing in a cardboard house, floating paper boats in a stream during a rainy day at the park, or attending art class, her confidence is infectious. Depicting a diverse community, Mata’s digital illustrations are full of texture and joy; the protagonist cuts an undeniably endearing figure. In an author’s note, Rivera discusses the bullying she confronted growing up due to her vitiligo; she also includes photos of herself as a child, a brief explanation of the condition, and a short glossary of terms such as depigmentation and melanin. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Much-needed encouragement to love the skin we’re in. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews