Incredible Me!

by Kathi Appelt, G. Brian Karas (Illustrator)

Join a rambunctious child as she exuberantly celebrates all the wonderful qualities that make her special -- her nose, her toes, her ears, herself! Award winners Kathi Appelt and G. Brian Karas team up to create this joyous tribute to the wonders of being ... ME!

Genres: Picture Books, Self Esteem, Childrens, Storytime, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2003

About the author

Lives in College Station, TX with husband Ken and four adorable cats.

Two sons, both musicians.

Serves on the faculty at Vermont College of Fine Arts in the MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults Program.

Reviews

[Chantia Singleton]

"Nobody's cowlick stands up like mine, nobody's freckles are this divine," Appelt writes. I read a quote the other day that implied that to like yourself in the society that we live in, is an act of rebellion. I couldn't agree more. This short children's book serves up confidence and high self esteem on a platinum platter. When children struggle with the things that make them unique, like hair texture or freckles or skin complexion, this is the perfect book to introduce them to!

[Dr. T Loves Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's cute.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Modesty isn't the heroine's signature quality. Just the opposite.

This character never noticed a single thing about herself that she didn't utterly love. For instance:

I'm the cat's meow.
I'm the dot's top flea.

To say that this character is full of herself is an understatement, and yet she is quite loveable in her self-absorption.

FIVE STARS, in honor of readers who will find this book uplifting.

[Donna Mork · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable book about individuality.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute read! Loved the quotes....used them with my church youth group when talking about “The Born Identity”

[Saritza · Rating 3 out of 5]

This 20-year-old book is truly a classic. A great read for parents with rambunctious little ones (like I had) to enjoy during those few precious moments where they sit still long enough to read. 😁

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Appelt Box #9
A rhythmic book extolling the virtues of uniqueness of the individual person and building up the self.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice book to read out loud, as it rhymes and the art is fun.

[Peaches & Sunshine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mix of insightful and playful ways a person is an individual. Good way to build confidence and appreciate the ways people are unique.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I described this storytime reject book to my dad, he summarized it perfectly: "I'm the most amazing person ever, and if you don't believe me, just ask me, and I will tell you!"

The cover looks adorable, and I love the little girl's red hair, but the whole book is her raving about how she is totally amazing and perfectly unique, and about how no one else could ever be as amazing as she is. The girl's voice is self-absorbed to the point of narcissism, and if I ever read this out loud, I would be reading it to adults in a satirical style, not reading it to children.

I quickly rejected this one as a possibility for our All About Me storytime theme, but it still rankled. Why do adults write these books? They cannot possibly think it is a model of emotional health for a child to prance around saying that they are the best, and that every element of who they are is superior to everyone else. This book embodies everything that I have always hated about self-esteem picture books, ever since I was the target age for them, and I will never read a book like this aloud at the library. Even if there were no other options, I would grab a puppet and make up a story off the top of my head before ever stooping this low.

[Ginta · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Incredible Me” is a good book designed to raise children’s self-esteem. The book stresses that we are all unique and that that is okay. It is a perfect book for young children who may feel different from their peers for a variety of reasons. The theme is that there is no one like “me,” and I (the child) should feel good about that.

The pictures are drawn with pencil. The use of pencil seems so appropriately matched to the theme of the book. The pictures have a kid drawn quality that fits with the grade level the book is geared toward.

My rating for this book is five stars. I love that the book stresses that we are all unique and there is nothing wrong with that. When we as educators are hyper-aware of students being bullied, a book that celebrates differences is an important teaching tool. The book is listed as being geared toward pre-kindergarten age children however I think children up to grade three would benefit from listening to the book. The book promotes raising self-esteem and that is sorely needed for young children.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty cute book. My daughter really enjoyed it because we were able to make it pretty interactive for her. Lines that talked about clapping, eyes, toes, etc, she was able to show us her's. I really enjoyed all the ways the book shows how this little girl is unique. It also had a cute rhyme that would rhyme with "Me".

This is a great book for young kids. The illustrations are cute and playful and very colorful. Overall I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I wasn't actually expecting to like it as much as I did.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read at Baby/Toddler Story Time on 2/1/11: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/... (I forgot to mention this book in the actual blog post.)

Read at Story Time at the Yoga Studio on 6/15/12: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

[Mhm Storytelling · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Incredible Me!" is cute and fun to read but doesn't allow for much audience participation. It could fit with the theme of individuality, but there isn't much to this story. This could lead to discussions of how everyone has their own unique personality and abilities. As a red flag, we might need to explain: cowlick, kit-and-caboodle, and strudel.

[Chelsea Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kathi Appelt's book Incredible Me celebrates the qualities that make one little girl special. Throughout this book, Appelt helps children discover what truly makes them unique and unlike other children. The proud little girl in her book celebrates all of her qualities. This book can help children everywhere learn how to be proud of who they are

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would have gotten four stars if there weren't two stanzas that just didn't rhyme. Why make every page rhymed but two that don't. It's just lazy is what it is.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

No matter what we are all INCREDIBLE in our own way!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute, fast paced picture book in rhyming couplets celebrates "me". The first person point of view works well in this story for young children

[Jen H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like- I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont, you will love this book.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of our family favorites. A friend gave it to me before I had kids because I reminded her of the girl in the book. Yes, I DO think I'm THAT awesome!

[Keegan Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I accidentally checked this out from the library twice. It wasn't that amazing. I guess it's a happy celebration of individuality, but, well, there are a lot of those.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

girl celebrates her individuality. good book to show self-esteem. rhyming text.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute book! I totally want to buy it.

[Leni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this story about loving yourself.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little girl celebrates all the things that are wonderful about her.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book!

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the exuberance. Will have to see about using in story time.

[Lynette Parker]

it was cute. I liked it.

[Aaliyah Hopkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

The girl kinda seems likes a brat.

[Patsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Should be read to EVERY child.