I Am Human: A Book of Empathy

by Susan Verde, Peter H. Reynolds (Illustrator)

Overview

#1 New York Times bestseller!
Companion to I Am Love and I Am Peace
“An age-appropriate and hopeful look at what it means to be a connected human on this planet.” ―School Library Journal

Being human means we are full of possibility. We learn, we dream, we wonder at the world around us. But we also make mistakes and can feel fearful or sad.

From the bestselling team that created I Am Yoga, I Am Peace, I Am Love, and I Am One comes a new hopeful celebration of the human family. A colorfully and warmly illustrated book for young children, I Am Human affirms that we can make good choices by acting with compassion and having empathy for others and ourselves.

A child in a red-striped shirt and blue jeans explores the possibilities open to them as a human being. Beginning with “I was born. A miracle! One of billions but unique!” the text lists activities (“I am always learning”; “I have BIG dreams”). The child explores the difficult sides of being human, such as feelings of fear and sadness. They can “make choices” and “move forward” with “thoughtfulness” (for example, giving flowers to a friend they hurt), learning to live with kindness, compassion, listening, and connection. “I am full of hope. I am human.”

When we find common ground, we can feel connected to the great world around us and mindfully strive to be our best selves.

Includes a guided meditation.

Also available:
I Am Me
I Am Yoga
I Am Peace
I Am Love
I Am One
I Am Courage
I Am . . . A Box of Goodness!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781419731655
Publisher:	Abrams Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	10/02/2018
Series:	I Am Books
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	43,148
Product dimensions:	7.90(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Susan Verde is the bestselling author of I Am Yoga, I Am Peace, I Am Human, I Am Love, I Am One, I Am Courage, I Am Me, The Museum, and You and Me, all illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds, as well as the Feel-Good Fairy Tales books, illustrated by Jay Fleck, and Rock ‘n’ Roll Soul, illustrated by Matthew Cordell. In addition to writing, she teaches kids yoga and mindfulness. Susan lives with her three children and their menagerie of pets in East Hampton, New York.


Peter H. Reynolds is the illustrator of many bestselling and award-winning picture books. His books include The Dot, Ish, I Am Yoga, I Am Peace, I Am Human, I Am Love, I Am One, and I Am Courage. He lives in Dedham, Massachusetts, where he operates the beloved shop Blue Bunny Books and Toys.

Interviews

East Hampton, New York; Dedham, Massachusetts

Editorial Reviews

"Reynolds' simple line drawings with bursts of color have become iconic, and they serve the simple, affirming text with their own vision of the emotions and possibilities we humans have in this wide world . . . Grown-ups will enjoy reading this regularly with the children in their lives: The reminders benefit us all."—Kirkus Reviews

"Verde brings it all together in the end with the connectedness of humans to each other. The clear and concise text is well-matched by Reynolds’ familiar illustrations in which viewers follow an unnamed boy of color (born on page one) on his human journey . . . An age-appropriate and hopeful look at what it means to be a connected human on this planet."—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

09/01/2018
PreS-Gr 3—This companion book to I Am Yoga and I Am Peace explores what it means to be human. It begins with "I was born. A miracle! One of billions but unique!" and continues with traits that make us human—learning, having dreams, seeing possibility, curiosity, wonder, and friendships. Then it addresses the not-so-great stuff: hurting others with words or actions; being fearful or sad. It also offers a way to get beyond the not-perfect bits—with thoughtfulness, kindness, helping, being fair, listening, and apologizing. Verde brings it all together in the end with the connectedness of humans to each other. The clear and concise text is well-matched by Reynolds' familiar illustrations in which viewers follow an unnamed boy of color (born on page one) on his human journey. As in the previous books, each page features an abundance of white space around the main illustration, giving readers plenty of room to absorb the thoughtful text. An author's note on being human with a short lesson on loving-kindness meditation is appended. VERDICT An age-appropriate and hopeful look at what it means to be a connected human on this planet. It can be read as a picture book with big ideas or used as a great discussion starter.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

School Library Journal

2018-07-16
Verde and Reynolds (I am Yoga, 2015; I Am Peace, 2017) team up again, this time to explore what it means to be human.A child in red-striped shirt and blue jeans explores the range of possibilities open to them as a human being. Starting with "I was born. A miracle! One of billions but unique!" the narrator lists activities ("I am always learning"; "I have BIG dreams") and feelings ("I am amazed by nature"). After rejoicing in the positive, the child finds that they sometimes make mistakes, hurt others, and are hurt. They explore the difficult sides of being human: fear and sadness. Here, the colors of the illustrations dull to a greyish blue. But they have a solution. They can "make choices" and "move forward" with "thoughtfulness" (giving flowers to that friend they hurt). When the child chooses kindness, compassion, listening, and saying sorry, they find that they are connected to everyone, and they resolve to keep trying, because "I am full of hope. I am human." Reynolds' simple line drawings with bursts of color have become iconic, and they serve the simple, affirming text with their own vision of the emotions and possibilities we humans have in this wide world. He depicts the protagonist with brown skin and black, curly hair amid a multiracial gathering of other children and adults. An author's note guides readers through a loving-kindness meditation as an example of how one can choose to improve one's relationships with others.Grown-ups will enjoy reading this regularly with the children in their lives: The reminders benefit us all. (Picture book. 3-9)

Kirkus Reviews