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I Like Me
I Like Me!
"Little ones in need of positive reinforcement will find it here. An exuberant pig proclaims "I like me!" She likes the way she looks, and all her activities....When she makes a mistake she picks herself up and tries again." --Booklist
"Wonderful in its simplicity, here's a story that will help kids feel good about themselves." -- Boston Globe
"Wonderful in its simplicity, here's a story that will help kids feel good about themselves." -- Boston Globe
32 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1988
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759 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
April 21, 2013
Hey, everyone, meet Nancy Carlson’s pig.
This pig does not have a name or proper hands (because she’s a pig!), but that can’t stop her–nothing can. She bakes cakes! And when she makes a mistake, she tries and tries again. (Meaning: more cake!) She is her own best friend, she likes her round tummy, and best of all: she reads good books by herself (like me). This little pig was my childhood idol. This book is the very same book I clutched every night before seizing my mother’s arm, demanding, “Read to me, now.”
I’m taking a class that requires us to create a children’s self-esteem book, which naturally transports me back to the “Hi, good-looking!” days.
This may have been the only children’s self-esteem book I have read (and remember), but I paid attention to messages past classes have declared in their books. What I notice is this: “I have lots of friends, because I’m a great listener!” or “I love playing on the basketball team, because I am good at it!” The latter is then followed by a picture of a kid surrounded by a cheering crowd, of course, but other people aren’t always around to help give someone a confidence boost. Not everyone wants to boost someone’s confidence. Having sharp ears and the ability to pay attention to words hopping out of mouths is a particular trait one can feel proud about, sure. Athletically gifted? Well, I envy you. It’s great to have pride in your good traits, but what if you don’t have friends? Who’s going to care about your listening skills then? What about accepting yourself as a whole?
Carlson’s I Like Me shows that esteem and inner-strength comes from you and you alone. I was a shy, quiet girl who enjoyed solitary activities. (“What, Mrs. Foster? Why must I play Sorry with those kids? This drawing requires my full attention, and mine alone.”) Hence, that is why I was so damned smitten with this book. It’s not that I was incapable of socializing, and I had friends, but I preferred to be alone. As a loner child and Power Rangers enthusiast, The Pig spoke to me. The Pig said, “It’s okay that you wanted to role-play the black Power Ranger and not the yellow or pink. Those girls are snots, and the blue school bus you drew earlier is just fine. Oh, no, no–don’t listen to your mother! You made a mistake on that last cake. Of course you need to bake another!”
So you see, Nancy Carlson created my hero. Her fearless pig taught me that oral hygiene and bath time are essential, that it’s all right if I’m a nightmare-chef, mistakes don’t make me a failure, and if I had a curly tail, I should like it, too. But most of all, The Pig said, “You can do all these solo activities and still feel great!” This book acknowledged my introverted self, and I clung to every word The Pig had to say. This book was, in every sense, my gospel. Some have bibles, others have cookbooks or Jenny Craig pamphlets, and I have I Like Me.
To have someone who can cheer you up is fine, but it’s not healthy to solely depend on another’s praise or expect it. Sometimes, the only person you need is yourself. Sometimes, the only person you will have is yourself.
(My sincerest apologies to the three kids I rejected over a round of Sorry, but I had a blue school bus to draw.)
From the archive! This (old) review can be read at Midnight Coffee Monster (with pictures!)
This pig does not have a name or proper hands (because she’s a pig!), but that can’t stop her–nothing can. She bakes cakes! And when she makes a mistake, she tries and tries again. (Meaning: more cake!) She is her own best friend, she likes her round tummy, and best of all: she reads good books by herself (like me). This little pig was my childhood idol. This book is the very same book I clutched every night before seizing my mother’s arm, demanding, “Read to me, now.”
I’m taking a class that requires us to create a children’s self-esteem book, which naturally transports me back to the “Hi, good-looking!” days.
This may have been the only children’s self-esteem book I have read (and remember), but I paid attention to messages past classes have declared in their books. What I notice is this: “I have lots of friends, because I’m a great listener!” or “I love playing on the basketball team, because I am good at it!” The latter is then followed by a picture of a kid surrounded by a cheering crowd, of course, but other people aren’t always around to help give someone a confidence boost. Not everyone wants to boost someone’s confidence. Having sharp ears and the ability to pay attention to words hopping out of mouths is a particular trait one can feel proud about, sure. Athletically gifted? Well, I envy you. It’s great to have pride in your good traits, but what if you don’t have friends? Who’s going to care about your listening skills then? What about accepting yourself as a whole?
Carlson’s I Like Me shows that esteem and inner-strength comes from you and you alone. I was a shy, quiet girl who enjoyed solitary activities. (“What, Mrs. Foster? Why must I play Sorry with those kids? This drawing requires my full attention, and mine alone.”) Hence, that is why I was so damned smitten with this book. It’s not that I was incapable of socializing, and I had friends, but I preferred to be alone. As a loner child and Power Rangers enthusiast, The Pig spoke to me. The Pig said, “It’s okay that you wanted to role-play the black Power Ranger and not the yellow or pink. Those girls are snots, and the blue school bus you drew earlier is just fine. Oh, no, no–don’t listen to your mother! You made a mistake on that last cake. Of course you need to bake another!”
So you see, Nancy Carlson created my hero. Her fearless pig taught me that oral hygiene and bath time are essential, that it’s all right if I’m a nightmare-chef, mistakes don’t make me a failure, and if I had a curly tail, I should like it, too. But most of all, The Pig said, “You can do all these solo activities and still feel great!” This book acknowledged my introverted self, and I clung to every word The Pig had to say. This book was, in every sense, my gospel. Some have bibles, others have cookbooks or Jenny Craig pamphlets, and I have I Like Me.
“When I feel bad, I cheer myself up. When I fall down, I pick myself up. When I make mistakes, I try and try again! No matter where I go, or what I do, I’ll always be me, and I like that!”
To have someone who can cheer you up is fine, but it’s not healthy to solely depend on another’s praise or expect it. Sometimes, the only person you need is yourself. Sometimes, the only person you will have is yourself.
(My sincerest apologies to the three kids I rejected over a round of Sorry, but I had a blue school bus to draw.)
From the archive! This (old) review can be read at Midnight Coffee Monster (with pictures!)
September 22, 2022
this is a filler for a book i read but can’t find on goodreads. it was very comforting and nice and gave me a lot of big feelings and reflections and i enjoyed reading it, it just made me want to give myself a big hug
June 29, 2019
A cute, body-positive picture book about loving yourself and being comfortable with who you are. Really great for younger readers but I loved it too! :)
February 20, 2023
loved this book for its colors as a kid and now as an adult i’m loving the confidence boost!
little miss piggy takes us on a journey about why she likes herself and while the story is simple, we can learn a lot from these simple mantras. the color pop really sets the mood and i love all her wallpaper in the house 🌈🎨🍎
one of my favorite pages says “i read good books with me!” and we see piggy reading in her heart pajamas on her bed with some cookies 🍪 📖
little miss piggy takes us on a journey about why she likes herself and while the story is simple, we can learn a lot from these simple mantras. the color pop really sets the mood and i love all her wallpaper in the house 🌈🎨🍎
one of my favorite pages says “i read good books with me!” and we see piggy reading in her heart pajamas on her bed with some cookies 🍪 📖
April 22, 2014
The book introduces us to a beautiful and radiant young female pig who discusses the wonderful qualities she attains. Whenever she feels bad she will find alternative ways to pick herself up, when she makes mistakes, she will attempt to improve on them. The young pig expresses her satisfaction and positive qualities that make up who she is. I would use this book to address topics such as self-identity and self-expression to be discussed in the class with a wide range of students. The students will be able to make personal connections with the main character and appreciate their unique characters. Each person possesses exceptional qualities in their character that make up who they are.
Read
July 12, 2014A great book to introduce self confidence to children and how they should appreciate themselves. It can be incorporated into an activity if a child is feeling like they are making mistakes or feeling lost, then the teacher could read this and explain that it is ok to make mistakes and we can always try again and improve.
December 4, 2017
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Grade: K-3
Great for prompting confidence and being happy being yourself. I love the lesson it promotes. No one should feel down on themselves. They should be happy with who God made them to be.
Grade: K-3
Great for prompting confidence and being happy being yourself. I love the lesson it promotes. No one should feel down on themselves. They should be happy with who God made them to be.
October 10, 2025
When I read 'I Like Me,' I felt happy, encouraged, and uplifted. This story conveys a profoundly positive message about loving yourself just the way you are, and it always leaves me smiling. The little pig's confidence and joy are contagious-she reminds me that it's okay to make mistakes and still feel proud of who you are.
The bright colors and cheerful illustrations make the book feel warm and welcoming, almost like a hug in story form. The illustrations and colors definitely help to tell the story. It makes me think about how important it is to teach children to appreciate themselves and find joy in being unique. Overall, the book inspires me to be a little kinder to myself and to help my students do the same.
I would use "I Like Me" to help students build their listening, reading, and writing skills while promoting self-confidence. During a read-aloud, I'd have students listen for positive words the pig uses to describe herself and discuss how those words make her feel. For reading practice, we could reread the story together, focusing on expressions, fluency, and identifying sight words or phrases that show confidence. As a writing activity, students could write or draw something they like about themselves and share it with the class. This book is a valuable addition that not only supports literacy development but also encourages children to celebrate their individuality and value their uniqueness.
The bright colors and cheerful illustrations make the book feel warm and welcoming, almost like a hug in story form. The illustrations and colors definitely help to tell the story. It makes me think about how important it is to teach children to appreciate themselves and find joy in being unique. Overall, the book inspires me to be a little kinder to myself and to help my students do the same.
I would use "I Like Me" to help students build their listening, reading, and writing skills while promoting self-confidence. During a read-aloud, I'd have students listen for positive words the pig uses to describe herself and discuss how those words make her feel. For reading practice, we could reread the story together, focusing on expressions, fluency, and identifying sight words or phrases that show confidence. As a writing activity, students could write or draw something they like about themselves and share it with the class. This book is a valuable addition that not only supports literacy development but also encourages children to celebrate their individuality and value their uniqueness.
April 16, 2020
I remember reading this book when I was a kid but after reading it again today I love it so much more than I did before. The message in this story is heart-warming and it put a smile on my face. The girl pig in this story loves herself and she is her own best friend. If she falls she picks herself up and she continues to try and try. When she wakes up in the morning she says "Hi good-looking". This book is really good for kids because it is about self-acceptance and being confident in yourself because no one will love you as much as you love yourself. No matter what you go through in life you can be your own support system and as long as you believe in yourself you can accomplish anything. I think all of these messages that this book portrays is important for all children to understand.
November 22, 2018
I really like the message in this story. It is good to like yourself!! The pig tells us activities they can do alone, such as reading or riding a bike. Then the pig talks about taking care of themselves!! Self-care is such an important part of treating yourself kindly and I love that this book is demonstrating that for the target audience. The pig also talks about body confidence and liking their "round tummy" which I loved. Lastly, the pig talks about dealing with life's hurtles. Overall I really like this story and would buy it for my classroom. I only wish the illustrations were more my style.
April 17, 2019
This little pig loves herself very much and shows that she doesn't need anyone else to make her happy, feel loved, or to have fun. She loves herself just the way she is no matter what others think. When she's sad she cheers herself up, and when she falls she picks herself up. She will try and try again until she succeeds.
I gave this book 4 stars, I think that this book could be used to show the importance of self-love. I thought that it could've used more words but other than that I thought it was great. The illustrations were fun and told the story.
I gave this book 4 stars, I think that this book could be used to show the importance of self-love. I thought that it could've used more words but other than that I thought it was great. The illustrations were fun and told the story.
May 1, 2020
Our kids loved books about pigs when they were kids, so when I found a cute one at the school book fairs, I'd get it. We've got some goodies, and this is one of the best. It's for very young kids because it's very simple, but wow, what a great message about being happy with ourselves and being resilient when we make mistakes. The illustrations (also by Nancy Carlson) are marvelous. I would recommend this to any little kid, not just ones who enjoy pigs.
October 27, 2020
The book is about a pig, who likes her tiny little feet and her round tummy. She always treats herself with respect by keeping herself clean, eating good food, and exercising properly. She says when she makes mistakes, she picks herself up and tries again. She also draws lovely pictures, reads good books, and cheers herself up when she feels down. this book is a good read for children because it can boost their self-image and help them feel good about themselves.
August 14, 2023
This cheerful book by Nancy Carlson encourages children to like themseves, love themselves, value themselves.
I like the many practical reasons given for self-esteem, especially:
And I read good books with me!
Right now, this very minute, each of us has somebody wonderful wherever we are, when reading good books. Best not to forget about that.
FIVE STARS for this book, and thanks to author and illustrator Nancy Carlson.
I like the many practical reasons given for self-esteem, especially:
And I read good books with me!
Right now, this very minute, each of us has somebody wonderful wherever we are, when reading good books. Best not to forget about that.
FIVE STARS for this book, and thanks to author and illustrator Nancy Carlson.
February 2, 2024
This book is about self-love. It is a pig talking about when she is sad or when she feels like she has no friends, she still has herself. I think that this book was super sweet and important to read to young children so that they understand the importance of self-love. I would use this in a kindergarten classroom when kids are just getting settled in, and starting to make friends with each other. I liked the message behind this book and I loved how bright and colorful the illustrations were!
October 30, 2025
I Like Me! by Nancy Carlson is a joyful and confidence-building story about self-love and self-acceptance. The main character, a cheerful pig, reminds children that it’s important to be proud of who they are and to treat themselves kindly. With bright, colorful illustrations and simple text, this book helps young readers understand the value of positive self-esteem. It’s a wonderful choice for teaching children about confidence, self-worth, and celebrating what makes them unique.
May 7, 2017
I'm reading this book to my first graders as part of a Nancy Carlson unit. Kids enjoy it, yet they giggle about the pig considering herself her best friend and liking her big belly and tiny feet. It is a great book about self-acceptance, but I don't think it sinks it very deep with the target audience the book is written for. Just my opinion based on student interaction.
October 24, 2018
"No matter where I go and what I do, I'll always be me, and I like that!!!"
This is a wonderful book full of positivity. It focuses on self-love, acceptance, and being happy with who you are and how you look. This is a great book for children struggling with self-confidence. This would make an excellent story for toddler or preschool storytime.
This is a wonderful book full of positivity. It focuses on self-love, acceptance, and being happy with who you are and how you look. This is a great book for children struggling with self-confidence. This would make an excellent story for toddler or preschool storytime.
March 20, 2019
This simple book is a great book to reinforce self-love and confidence in children. Children need to listen more to these stories. It teaches them that everyone is different in a way but to accept each other and especially accept yourself. Children should feel confident and happy with themselves. Beautiful book - very important for children nowadays!
April 15, 2021
I FREAKING LOVE THIS.
What a happy, body-positive, non-cheesy, self-esteem boosting picture book. About a pig. Who greets herself in the mirror each morning by saying, "Hi, good-looking!" and loves her "round tummy". She falls, she makes mistakes, and she also knows that she is pretty dang awesome.
What a happy, body-positive, non-cheesy, self-esteem boosting picture book. About a pig. Who greets herself in the mirror each morning by saying, "Hi, good-looking!" and loves her "round tummy". She falls, she makes mistakes, and she also knows that she is pretty dang awesome.
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November 20, 2025I Like Me! is a sweet and positive book about loving yourself just the way you are. The main character, a cheerful pig, shows all the little things she likes about herself, which makes the story really uplifting. It’s simple, cute, and a great reminder for kids to be confident and proud of who they are.
April 17, 2018
This book is about a pig who likes doing things on her own and takes care of herself because she loves herself.
3 topic ideas:
Self-love/ self-confidence
Responsibility
Necessities
Perseverance
Friendship
3 topic ideas:
Self-love/ self-confidence
Responsibility
Necessities
Perseverance
Friendship
April 17, 2019
This book is a cute book that teaches self esteem and that you can be your own friend. I love the uniqueness of the illustrations they aren't the typical modern pictures. The vocabulary is very simple and easy to comprehend. Children of all ages will definitely enjoy this story.
November 18, 2020
I think this book would make a good read aloud because it teaches children about self-love. Sometimes children try to change things about themselves to fit in with people but this book shows that self-love is important.
November 24, 2020
Soo cute!! It is a good thing to read to young kids so that they know from a young age that it is very important to love yourself, and that you can do so many fun things even when you don't have a friend around.
May 4, 2023
Cute book! I really liked this book because I like how it focuses on taking care of and liking yourself. This book is great for children because it shows them that it is okay to have mistakes and to get knocked down because you can get back up and try again.
August 28, 2017
"I Like Me!" is about a pig who talks about all the reasons she likes herself. This shows students that there is so much to appreciate about ourselves and I enjoy that message.
October 29, 2017
Awesome introduction to self-esteem & self-care for the small ones.
November 16, 2017
I Like Me!
by Nancy Carlson
Learning to accept yourself, learning to love who you are for the littlest of readers is a good thing.
Read this twice for a preschool class.
by Nancy Carlson
Learning to accept yourself, learning to love who you are for the littlest of readers is a good thing.
Read this twice for a preschool class.
January 29, 2018
Loved this for my two year old daughter!
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