Publishers Weekly
★ 08/02/2021
Based on a scenario that Srinivasan’s sister once faced, the author-illustrator offers an empowering, accessible response to the often racially motivated question, “What are you?” After affirming that “I am a girl. I am a human,” an unnamed Indian American protagonist speculates on her relationships with others: “I am a daughter. I am a granddaughter.// I am an Amma to my guys.” She is a vegetarian, and the darkness of her skin color depends on who she’s comparing it with (“I am dark. I am pale”). Next comes a series of opposing qualities: “I am mean,” one page asserts, as she sticks her tongue out at Amma’s cooking; “I am kind,” reassures the opposite page, which shows the child holding up a picture reading “I love you” to her mother. Art rendered in pencils, watercolor, and digitally features appealingly childlike art that expounds upon the text. This volume succeeds in restoring the dignity and nuance to identity that an all-too-common microaggression often condenses. Back matter features a stirring author’s note. Ages 3–7. (Aug.)
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
School Library Journal
★ 07/01/2021
PreS-Gr 2—The young narrator opens the story by describing her various attributes: a human, a girl, a daughter, a granddaughter. She then begins to explore a series of intangible, seemingly opposite qualities: selfish and generous, mean and kind, a scaredy-cat and brave. The gorgeous, colorful illustrations clearly convey these complexities and contradictions that define and exist simultaneously within a person: the protagonist likes to dance and sing in front of family, but does not like to dance or sing in front of a crowd. She does not want to go to parties, but then does not want to leave the party. The story's stunning conclusion will inspire readers to proudly be who they are and provide plenty of discussion opportunities for readers. This book is an outstanding and affirming story. Back matter includes an author's note describing the incident that inspired the book. VERDICT Srinivasan's latest offering is a universal story that belongs in all collections.—Olivia Gorecke, Cape May Cty. Lib., Ocean View, NJ
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)
