Ja. Uważność i emocje. Ja, po prostu ja. Księga autentyczności

by Susan Verde

Każde dziecko jest wyjątkowe – pełne marzeń, uczuć i nieskończonych możliwości. Ja, po prostu ja to inspirująca książka Susan Verde i Petera H. Reynoldsa, znanych twórców serii bestsellerowych książek „Ja. Uważność i emocje” wspierających rozwój emocjonalny najmłodszych. To opowieść, która zachęca dzieci do odkrywania i akceptowania siebie takimi, jakimi są. Ciepłe słowa i delikatne ilustracje uczą uważności, pomagają budować poczucie własnej wartości i przypominają, że bycie sobą to największy dar. Książka wesprze twoje dziecko w celebrowaniu jego wyjątkowości, pokazując, że różnorodność jest siłą, a autentyczność – kluczem do szczęścia. Idealna dla dzieci w wieku przedszkolnym i wczesnoszkolnym. Ja, po prostu ja to pełne miłości przypomnienie, że każdy z nas jest cenny i niepowtarzalny – wystarczy być sobą! Tł Iwona Mączka

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, LGBT, Self Esteem, Mental Health, Storytime, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

Published May 26, 2025

About the author

Susan Verde is a New York Times bestselling children’s author, children’s yoga and mindfulness expert, former teacher, and parent. By 2022 she will have more than 20 picture books in the marketplace. She is a highly sought after speaker at conferences, festivals, and schools across the nation, and spends half the year on the road working with children and families. Verde is a frequent contributor to online magazines and has appeared on multiple podcasts speaking about writing, parenting, mindfulness, and yoga. She lives in East Hampton, New York.

Reviews

[Amanda Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teachers who are looking for SEL books might appreciate this picture book of affirmations. I love the back paragraph with a narrative of walking through a simple meditation. So many journal/art prompts can be found in this book. It is truly an everybody book.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book to end the year. I bought this baby book for my other cousin’s new baby. A lot of people got busy in 2021.

This is a great book to say it’s okay to be you. It’s ok to stand out and let that freak flag fly high. I loved the mantra and meditations at the end.

Enjoy this book!

[Richard Muro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun easy read….

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite of the Susan Verde/Peter H. Reynolds books so far. I adore each message and each illustration. I wish all children could have their very own copy of this book. If today's adults all grew up hearing this message from their families and schools when they were younger, imagine how different the world would be.

[Toni Guyton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every kid should read this book.

[Dawn-Desiree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice empowering book for children

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I am me, hear me roar." Helen Reddy, 1971
"Free to be . . . You and me" Marlo Thomas and friends, 1972
The more things change, the more things stay the same. It's fifty years later. Even though the words may have changed slightly and the images are updated, we're sharing the same message with our youth.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This empowering and encouraging picture book is a 3.5 for me, and I agree with another reviewer who identified it as her favorite one from this creative team. Honestly, although its intended audience is youngsters, even older readers can learn a thing or two from the text and images. Arguably, there often seems to be a lot of pressure to fit a certain mold or expectation, and it can be difficult to be yourself. This book follows a couple of characters who learn the importance of being true to yourself or authentic. The main character struggles a bit with this at first, wondering about being too much or too little or just plain different. And sometimes, being true to oneself involves no longer hiding and encourages others to do the same. There's no point in comparing oneself to others. The text and mindful meditation exercises provided in the back matter in the Author's Note offer starting points for self-acceptance and self-love, offering reassurance that there is no need to change in order to please others. Created with "traditional and digital inks, gouache, watercolor, and tea" (unpaged), the illustrations, drawn against a generous amount of white space, are as encouraging about being original and being content with oneself as the text is. Parents, caregivers, and teachers will definitely want to share this one with youngsters, and have it on repeat for the good it will do in supporting those who aren't sure whom they are or how it's okay to be.

[NerdyWordyReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Synopsis:

The story follows a little girl who acknowledges that she is unique and original. She is confident and happy with who she is. Her outlook on the world is optimistic; she views everything and everyone as they are and accepts them.

My Review:

This book inspires confidence in children. Giving them a look at life and themselves while teaching them that it is great to be yourself. That you should be proud of who you are. That you are beautiful and can be anything you want to be.
I highly recommend this book to the younger generations. However, its message is great for anyone that struggles with individuality. It taught acceptance of our surroundings, the world and ourselves. I loved reading this with my daughter.

[Marilyn Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read aloud for the beginning of the year. I read it with a Grade 3 class and they loved it!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love all of Susan Verde's books. This one teaches children (and adults) that it's okay to be authentically you. As someone who grew up not fitting in, I wish I'd had a book to teach me confidence like this.

As an adult, this book has filled me with compassion for the child I was, and, as an adult, it feels me with self compassion as I read words like these: "I can be grateful for my hair, my skin, my size, because they are all MINE. I can be proud of my body and thankful for all it can do! I can embrace that I am perfectly imperfect because that is what makes me interesting." These words hit me hard today. I live with chronic pain, and sometimes I really, really hate my body and how I look. I have known I should be grateful because I can still do a lot of things in spite of my diagnoses, and sometimes I am, but more often than not, I hate my body. I say my body doesn't define me, but to some extent it does. This was a good reminder for me today. My body can be defined by what it can do, and not just for its limitations. And I can own up to that.

I think my generation grew up in diet culture and that had affected us, and still effects society. If one is overweight, no matter the reason, one is considered unattractive. What if that were to change?

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan is great about building self-esteem in kids. These books are so wonderful. This book is all about being yourself even when you are different from those around you.

The artwork is fun and colorful. Peter Reynolds has so much energy and light-hearted fun in them.

There is a great little breathing exercise in the back of the book. It has about 6 lines. Each line is breath in, say a positive self-worth line like I'm worthy and then breath out. You give yourself a hug while you do this. I did the exercise and it was nice. Just the breathing alone is a great meditation.

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book celebrates the uniqueness of each individual. Readers will be inspired to embrace their own style and who they truly are inside. Illustrated by Peter Reynolds with beautiful watercolor and pen drawings throughout. Kids will love this book and smile after they read it. This would be a great book to share with a class and would generate some good discussion. Be sure to read the author's note at the end. Highly recommended for Grades K-5.

[Angie Counsell · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a reason I love Peter Reynolds so much, and this book just reinforces it. His ability to take the 'ickiness and insecurities' that kids sometimes feel and put them into words in a way that encourages them to feel and be exactly how they are is one of my favorite things. This book encourages children to be exactly who they are. To be happy in their own skin and embrace their differences along with the differences in others. His books are a must for all bookshelves!

[Melody Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a girl who often feels different and on the outside. Throughout the book she learns to accept her differences and to embrace them.
I really enjoyed this book because often children are made fun of when they do not fit in. I believe it will be beneficial to the classroom because many students will be able to relate to the girl.
In the classroom, this book can be useful to students who are feeling as if they do not fit in.

[Adriii · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

This book has cute art, isn’ too wordy, and had a good message, what’s not to love.
Every child is made to feel like they need to fit a certain mold. If every person on this planet was the same, we’d live in the most boring world. We need to start teaching kids that it’s ok not to fit in everywhere you go. We all look, talk, learn, and act different from one another. Let’s embrace the differences, and be confident in ourselves.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Verde and Peter Reynolds are a bestselling team for a reason. Their books are colorful and heartfelt and have an important message that all kids need to hear. The message in this book is that “I am me” no matter what. That everyone is different and that’s exactly the way it should be. That everyone is unique and have the things that make them special. And that no matter who you are or how you look or how you act I am me and you are you and we are exactly as where I meant to be.

[Sarah Alamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're so proud of you for reading this beautiful book! You learned something wonderful: the words you say to yourself matter. When you tell yourself "I am kind" or "I am brave," you become stronger inside. Remember, whenever you feel worried or scared, you can whisper nice words to yourself, just like the book teaches. You're doing an amazing job becoming a thoughtful reader. We love you so much!

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Am Me is a powerful and affirming picture book that celebrates the beauty of individuality and self-acceptance. Through poetic language and vibrant illustrations, Verde encourages young readers to embrace their unique qualities and find strength in being true to themselves, making it an inspiring and empowering read.

[Maquandolofai unfiglio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Credo che prenderemo tutta la serie di questi libri. Belle illustrazioni, ottimi per aiutare i piccoli ad accrescere la fiducia in sé stessi. Non so cosa possa aver capito Mr P perché punto primo è in inglese e punto secondo è obiettivamente per bimbi più grandi di 1 anno e mezzo abbondante però me lo ha fatto leggere quattro volte in un giorno.

[Jack Gabrielli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book and thought it was very wholesome. The message that of the book about being proud of who you are is something that I think kids definitely need to hear and can connect with easily. I would definitely use this book in a classroom setting to teach students that being different and unique is a great thing.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Verde continues her series with an affirmative book about being yourself. She takes readers through the joys and challenges of figuring out who you are and standing up for yourself. The illustrations capture the emotions and love.

[Ellon · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars (I loved it)

I think this is my favorite of Verde's books. They all have mindfulness meditations in the back but I think this entire book reads like positive affirmations and I am here for it!

[Susan Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant self-affirming book with art by Peter H. Reynolds. This one provides evidence as to why being your best authentic self is the best and more positive path forward. The words are truth, the message is positive and validating. Excellent addition to your SEL collection.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I can surround myself with those who see me, stand up for me, and support me."

It is okay to be different ... you are the only you in history, so embrace who you are and don't worry about whether you fit in or not.

[Steph Calvert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish the small text at the back was larger, because anytime there's fonts that small it means boring stuff I'm ok to skip reading. People need to not skim over that last chunk in the back cuz it's the good stuff!

I mean, it's all good stuff.

But especially that last couple of tiny print pages.

[Melissa Anne King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love all of the books that Susan and Peter have created together. Their "I am" series is outstanding!

If you'd like to read a blog post of mine about Susan and her books, please visit here:
https://thecreativelibrarian.com/2023...

[Darlena Glenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I can relate to this book even as an adult! Perhaps this is what the author & illustrator intended so that adults CAN relate and let kids know it's okay to be themselves...like who are we fooling trying to be someone else anyway!

[Roseann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another positive thinking book from Reynolds. Words are a bit heady for the under 5 set, but great for a simple lesson for those 7-10 years who need a little personal boost.

[劉凍青 · Rating 4 out of 5]

我很喜欢这一本！
i can celebrate the things in this world that i decide are most meaningful to me.
简直想打印出来每天跟自己说。