I Believe I Can - UK

by Grace Byers, Keturah A. Bobo (Illustrator)

From the #1 New York Times bestselling creators of I Am Enough comes an empowering follow-up that celebrates every child’s limitless potential.

I Believe I Can is an affirmation for boys and girls of every background to love and believe in themselves.

Actress and activist Grace Byers and artist Keturah A. Bobo return with another gorgeously illustrated new classic that’s the perfect gift for baby showers, birthdays, or just for reading at home again and again.

My presence matters in this world. I know I can do anything, if only I believe I can.

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

32 pages, Paperback

Published October 19, 2021

About the author

Grace Byers is an actor and activist who stars in Fox’s hit series Empire. As a multiracial young girl and a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), Grace was bullied throughout her childhood. This book was born out of her desire to empower young girls against the effects of bullying. In her spare time, she volunteers with the nonprofit antibullying organization Saving Our Daughters. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, actor Trai Byers. I Am Enough is her first book.

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT BOOK! I cannot say it enough, but if you have a child find this book and read it to them. In library school we talked the concept of "mirrors and windows" where children have the opportunity to see themselves in books and also see the outside world in books. This book is a perfect example of that. Children, like my daughter and others, are able to see themselves in the pictures and some of the narratives while also seeing different children with different narratives on other pages. It is so motivating and encouraging and quite frankly realistic. Instead of trying to paint this picture of a perfect world and perfect life, Byers reminds children that mistakes will be made and accidents do happen, but the best thing we can do is pick ourselves up, dust off our knees and continue to keep trying. I just felt such an emotional connection to this book while reading it to my daughter. It'll definitely be one that we will plan to read again.

[Alice-Elizabeth (Prolific Reader Alice) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook via BookBeat UK!

If anyone is looking for a great listen for their children, this is the one. In just a few minutes, I felt empowered and I even smiled at the end. The writing is simple but very effective. Grace herself narrates it which was lovely to hear. One of my favourites for sure!

[Matal “The Mischling Princess” Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that I enjoyed Grace Byers’ I BELIEVE I CAN even better than the first one. Kids need inspiring books, and especially books where they can be taught to find inspiration in themselves. This is a far cry from the books people in my age group had growing up, so I can only be happy for the younger generation. This is a cute, inspirational picture book!

[Nadia]

When the Rotary Club of Washington Global invited me to do a Facebook live event for Children's Day, I thought it would be a great idea to do a read aloud. We read I Believe I Can by Grace Byers (grateful for her permission to share her words!).

Link to video below where you will see the variable cooperativity of my 4 children. I'm considering stunt doubles for the next time.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=947...

[kate. · Rating 5 out of 5]

GORGEOUS!
the illustrations are so beautifully done, and the diversity is incredible.
not to mention the amazing message.
love it + highly recommend.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really sweet picture book that tackles big stuff but is still readable for a baby & toddler story time. The rhyme scheme definitely slants in some spots and completely falls off in others, but if you read it slow enough (emphasizing the individual statements) then it doesn't really matter. I really like the illustrations too. They remind me of How Do You Dance? but not quite as polished? That's not intended as a criticism of either book, because I think each suits the text perfectly.

[Shaye Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

In rhyming text, the message of this book clearly shines through that we can do anything we want to do, if we truly believe in it. Mistakes happen, though, so we must learn from them. Also clear in this book is the fact that many different identities are represented: ethnicity, gender, size, physical differences or disabilities. The facial features are quite beautiful. The book doesn’t share how the artwork was created, but it almost looks like colored pencils were used.

For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!

[Faloni © · Rating 5 out of 5]

That's when your the prettiest xo

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, LOVE! The representation throughout the illustrations is wonderful. There are children of all different backgrounds and abilities. The rhyming scheme will appeal to children and the story is a wonderful message - you can be anything and everything.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspirational read empowering all children to find their potential and never stop believing in themselves as they reach for the stars.

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Very diverse with a powerful message. A book I am thrilled to read with my children!

[Isabel B Sanchez]

This book gives Affirmations about self worth, I enjoyed how his book showed me that it’s okay to have failures because no one is perfect and sometimes these failures help us grow into who we are. I would love to include this book in my future library because it lets the reader know that they matter no matter who they are and what we do in life. This book is for kids in preschool to 2nd grade.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Empowering story by Byers. Terrific follow up to her I Am Enough. Young and not so young readers need to see themselves in books that affirm how important and special they are.

[Synthia Salomon · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s the diversity for me!

[Christa Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such cute affirmations for children

[McKenna Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super sweet book filled with affirmations and rhyming phrases. Would for sure buy for my future classroom library.

[Darlena Glenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Keturah A. Bobo's drawings of children make them look like very beautiful little kids using their imagination as kids should. I can hear my students asking, "What are the Alps?" "What is a peak?" "I know you charge a phone, but how do you charge just like a train? I think this is a great book to teach metaphors and similes to young children, perhaps Grades 2 or 3.

[Karen Davis (EDUC 378) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Text to self

I love this book it was reminding young boys and girls to always believe in themselves. It’s like a book of affirmations I think that this is something that should be taught to the children they need a constant reminder

[Presley]

This story teaches children to make affirmations about their self-worth and endless possibilities in life. It teaches children to be strong and confident in whatever they do. The images are diverse representing children from various backgrounds and cultures completing the same tasks and making the same affirmations. it has simple text that creates a powerful and impactful take away for the reader.

[Tabitha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this children’s book. I thought it had wonderful words of encouragement for children to understand and all of the illustrations were beautiful! Definitely recommend!

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a book that teaches self-esteem, you may be very pleased with "I Believe I Can."

Here's a sample of the pep talks here. (Only in the book, of course, these ideas are accompanied by sweet illustrations.)

I can hold, just like cement.
I can last, just like a rock.

HOW THIS BOOK CAN HELP KIDS

1. If you believe that teaching self-esteem works, this book is chockful of slogans that can uplift readers.
2. Some people believe that self-esteem is foundational for personal growth, or any effective self-help. And also that kids learn self-esteem through praise and slogans, like what's in this picture book.
3. For the sake of social justice, and given America's activist-and-conservative Supreme Court, now it's more important than ever than to give "minority" children and disabled children a boost.
See a comment below about why I put "minority" in quotes.

FIVE STARS for this book, serving those who believe in any of these three points. Or for other reasons, too.

Now, though, I'm going to give my personal view about...

HOW THIS BOOK MIGHT HOLD KIDS BACK

Might I suggest? Never keep this book around for kids to read after the age of four. When those youngsters are up-to age four, they play a lot. They imagine a lot.

Although I don't think the language in this book is really appropriate for most kids under age 12, younger kids will understand something nice, and that could be good enough. They don't have to understand clearly the meaning of metaphors like:

Grounded firm, I'm like the soil.
Like the sky, I'm boundless too.

WHY UP TO AGE FOUR?

When it comes to understanding the intellectual, emotional, and social development, my favorite resource is psychologist Erik Erikson. In his "Stages of Psychosocial Development," what's the super-important Stage 4?

Industry vs. Inferiority
Children come out on one side or the other regarding this stage... at ages 5-13.

But what does that mean, Industry vs. Inferiority?

* To develop a sense of industry, a child is given real-life projects. The child starts learning practical skills. For instance, when little Gladys builds a little stool to hold some of her toys, that's an accomplishment. INDUSTRY!

* Industry is not a mood , like the self-esteem practices that began to grow popular during the New Age Years.

(How can you learn more about that important time in our collective history, the Oprah Years? Basically this is the period from 1980 until the Shift into the Age of Awakening, on Dec. 21, 2012. As a knowledge resource, I'd recommend Seeking Enlightenment in the Age of Awakening.)

* What happens to kids if they live from 5-13 without developing skills? And they don't accomplish many tangible projects?

Then they won't receive truthful, specific acknowledgment for their achievements. (Quite different from telling the kids, "You're wonderful because you're you.")

Later in life, kids canrevisit this stage and come out on they achieving side. Otherwise, for the rest of their lives, they will (according to Erikson) grow up with a sense of inferiority. When, instead, they could become -- and know themselves to be, based on evidence -- capable achievers in life.

IN CONCLUSION

Seems to me, if kids wish to play around with the sweet ideas and pictures in this book... before age five, okay! Afterward, though? That's not such a great idea.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though I was, personally, not a big fan of the rhyme scheme used, the message of this book is great and the illustrations are beautiful and energetic. I appreciated the author and illustrator's committment to representing many different identities - racial, ethnic, abilities, size, and more; however, I felt that more could have been done to make the book more inclusive. By my count (and I could be off as some children were shown more than once) there were 54 individuals represented in the book, which I felt provides room for more representation. For example, there were only three children that seemed to potentially have physical disabilities and/or differences. There was one child in a (nonmotorized) wheelchair, one with a service dog, and one that seemed to be using sign language. There's no reason why there couldn't be more than one child who uses a wheelchair, more children shown who use other types of physical aids, a child with an insulin pump, perhaps there is a way to show a child with autism (maybe by having them wear noise-canceling headphones), etc.. I would have also loved to see more inclusion of children across the gender spectrum - most, if not all, seemed to fit on the gender binary. (Side note, in the author's bio it states that the book "celebrates both boys and girls". I don't know that the exclusion in that statement of gender non-conforming, non-binary, and gender queer kids was intentional, but it is disappointing.

Though at times this book seemed to fall - perhaps unintentionally - into tokenism (only representing particular groups or identities through one person/character), it still shows more diversity than many books out there. All in all I would recommend this book to other readers because of the positive message, wonderful illustrations, and the commitment to diversity that was included.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells of self-esteem and self-confidence and shows that it doesn't matter the color of your skin, what religion you observe, how much money you have, your physical build, or your physical capabilities - every individual can achieve a goal only if they believe in themselves and try. The second collaboration between Byers an Keturah A. Bobo is quite good.

Byers' text is told in a rhyming poetic form. It is awkward to read aloud in places, particularly when breaking patterns that she has started. Use of the simile "like" requires readers to have some sophistication of what is being compared, which leads me to wonder who is this book written for? For young listeners, parents will need to explain each phrase. It might be most appropriate for beginning readers, as the text is from a limited vocabulary, written in a sans serif font, and the images of the children look like they are younger grade school aged.

Bobo's mixed media artwork is lively and lovely. She shows a diverse community of kids from many walks of life - a boy and a girl wearing ripped/patched jeans (a nod to poverty?); a boy signing while another plays with his assistive guide dog (blind) and a girl sings while sitting in a wheelchair (disability); a girl in a hajib and boy with a yarmulke (religion), and children in many shades of color all playing together beautifully. She has a beautiful eye for showing children honestly.

A message that children need to hear often today.

Recommended for grades K-3.

[Eve Schortgen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book begins with a line of children that are in ballet class; however, these children do not look like the classic ballet dancers that we have been taught to visualize over the years. Some are pudgy, one wears a hijab, and many come from a variety of cultural backgrounds. As the book continues, we see these children act like pirates, dragons, mimes, and soccer. Though their differences are never explicitly mentioned, their friendship is emphasized.
I believe this book does an excellent job of showing the power children have. Although they may look different, they do not base their relationship with them off of that. They base it off the things that matter, like whether or not they like to play dragons. Their innocence and acceptance is gorgeously shown through the text and pairing illustrations.

[Natalie Mathers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, like the previous two, is one that tries to teach young children the importance of self confidence, and not to worry about what others think of them. It goes into detail about individuals finding love for themselves, no matter what other people think about them. The author uses easy words and phrases, as to not complicate things for young readers. The author also tries to find relatable things for the reader to understand. For example, the characters in the book are young children, therefore, it allows for the audience to put themselves in the shoes of the characters. I give this book a ⅘ rating. This is because it does a good job of teaching children a good lesson about life. It also does a good job of illustrating images into the reader's mind.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I Believe I Can" is a self-empowering ode to the magic and potential of childhood. The children presented on the pages are racially and ethnically diverse. Some body diversity is present and minimal able diversity is represented. I love that this book encourages children to believe in themselves, embrace their interests and passions, and to practice growth mindset. There is no shortage of these self-actualizing books for kids, but what I think sets "I Believe I Can" apart from the others is how the text focuses on validating the potential of children through their own abilities and grit while avoiding reliance on religious or spiritual dogma.

[Taylor Armey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this multicultural book. It shows so many different children playing and engaging with one another. There are children of all different races and cultures. There are children with and without hair. I think this is amazing to show all of these children getting along and being friends. This shows children that you should be nice and include everyone. We may look different but we are all the same. I love how this book shows creative activities children can do also. This book shows that every child is precious. Children believe that they can do anything in the world no matter who they are.

[Ryleigh Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful story is made for boys and girls, no matter their racial or cultural background, to love and believe in themselves. This story celebrates every child's potential, no matter what they look like or where they come from. This is an extremely diverse story, telling the importance of being your true self and that you are capable of anything and everything that you set your mind to. Race and cultures do not define you. It is important for young children to know that they should love and believe in themselves, and know that they are accepted and loved for the remarkable person that they are, and this story does quite the justice.

[Raven Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy a book that is not "girl orientated" or "boy orientated" but one that just includes everyone without making a "big deal" about differences. This book is a great example of that. It does not matter what gender you are, what race, your religion or if you have a disability, you can do anything if you believe. Adorable illustrations that have minimal detail, but fit perfectly. If I have one compliant it is that while we see diversity, with a few exceptions, most of the children are the same size.

[AMAO · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Believe I Can by Grace Byers
Released March 3, 2020


From the New York Times bestselling creator of I Am Enough comes an empowering follow-up that celebrates every child's limitless potential.

Don't miss this audiobook edition, read by the author, Grace Byers!

I Believe I Can is an affirmation for boys and girls of every background to love and believe in themselves, from actress and activist Grace Byers.

My presence matters in this world. I know I can do anything, if only I believe I can.