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I Don't Care
A New York Times bestselling author and two Caldecott Honorees share their delight in the little things that set two friends apart, and the big things that bring them together.
I really don't care what you think of my hair
Or my eyes or my toes or my nose
I really don't care what you think of my boots
Or if you don't like my clothes. . .
Mostly I care that you're you and I'm me
And I care that we're us and we're we.
This rhythmic, rhyming text by award-winning author Julie Fogliano celebrates the similarities and differences between two unlikely best friends. It will be illustrated by two recent Caldecott Honorees, each depicting one of the characters, Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal.
I really don't care what you think of my hair
Or my eyes or my toes or my nose
I really don't care what you think of my boots
Or if you don't like my clothes. . .
Mostly I care that you're you and I'm me
And I care that we're us and we're we.
This rhythmic, rhyming text by award-winning author Julie Fogliano celebrates the similarities and differences between two unlikely best friends. It will be illustrated by two recent Caldecott Honorees, each depicting one of the characters, Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published November 22, 2022
5 people are currently reading
435 people want to read
About the author
Julie Fogliano
14 books148 followersJulie Fogliano has spent her entire life reading children's books. She lives in the Hudson Valley with her husband and three children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
December 6, 2022
This is a cute rhyming picture book about two friends and the things they don't and do care about. It's a great lesson in priorities and concentrating on what's truly important.
The pictures, a collaborative effort between Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal, are adorable.
Recommended to those looking for simple picture books about values.
The pictures, a collaborative effort between Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal, are adorable.
Recommended to those looking for simple picture books about values.
December 12, 2022
A perfect, playful unfolding. Yes to text, yes to pictures, yes to this book made of friendship.
November 26, 2022
Read this at Powell’s and loved it. What a wonderful trio to create a unique and accessible book with an outstanding albeit transparent message.
February 23, 2024
El concepto es bueno pero visualmente no me gustó mucho la verdad.
Read
March 24, 2024The illustrations work better than the text and I tend to prefer text-based stories, but it's still cute.
November 25, 2022
Fogliano's playful rhyming text tells the story of a special friendship, but what really makes this picture book stand out is the collaborative artwork of real life best friends Idle and Martinez-Neal. A timeless picture book that celebrates the joy of having a best friend:
"but mostly i care that you're you
and i'm me
and i care that we're us
and i care that we're we"
"but mostly i care that you're you
and i'm me
and i care that we're us
and i care that we're we"
November 29, 2022
Julie Fogliano's lilting text is always so special! The illustrations are really sweet and simple, and you see the two kiddos (and their colors) come together as the story progresses. This book is made so much more wonderful by the back matter where you learn that Molly and Juana are real life besties!
December 3, 2022
Hate that “I” is not capitalized in a CHILDREN’S BOOK FOR KIDS LEARNING TO READ AND WRITE, but gosh dang, if this isn’t the sweetest book about friendship 3
Want to read
March 25, 2024When I first started reading it, I thought they were siblings that just didn't get along at all. The theme or message its trying to imply is that even if you and your friend may have different prespectives on things, you guys have connections/similarites as well making your friendship be stronger and in good stand. In this contemporary realistic fiction, a reflection on this book is that I learned is that two friends may be different from one another but they connect on a deeper emotion and care about one another a lot even if there like the sun and moon. Another reflection is that they have different backgrounds but that doesn't let them argue about that but rather they don't care, which is what the title of the book is and I feel like that is how every friendship should be, wither you are poor or rich but that you have some connections with that person. My explanation as to why I thought this was a WOW book was because it was different from other ones I've read before. I love how it explains different backgrounds an dhow different the two friends might be but amoungest that, they care deeply for one another.
The writing/literally craft of this book is how different colors interpret how different they are. It is also in first person and we get a deeper inside of how the character feels about certain things. The book gets right to the point and doesn't beat around the push but says things how they are.An explanation as to why this book is free of bias is because these two characters are different from one another weather it's their backgrounds, cloths, features but aside from all of that, they care deeply about each other despite the differences.
The writing/literally craft of this book is how different colors interpret how different they are. It is also in first person and we get a deeper inside of how the character feels about certain things. The book gets right to the point and doesn't beat around the push but says things how they are.An explanation as to why this book is free of bias is because these two characters are different from one another weather it's their backgrounds, cloths, features but aside from all of that, they care deeply about each other despite the differences.
February 8, 2023
I love the two illustrators better than the book itself. But it is a sweet text about accepting each other and looking beyond the things that make someone unique. ;)
March 16, 2025
I love the way this book was made! I strongly recommend it for kindness month, Valentine's (kindness grams), or community based art activities.
December 10, 2022
Adorable art, and a sweet story of friendship.
November 3, 2022
Beautiful illustrations. I love the combination of both illustrator styles and the way they’re depicted to highlight their differences but the things that both characters care about.
A lovely primer on friendship and acceptance. Julie Fogliano always writes books that have all the right amounts of sweet, childlike wonder, and humor.
A lovely primer on friendship and acceptance. Julie Fogliano always writes books that have all the right amounts of sweet, childlike wonder, and humor.
December 10, 2022
While there are many things that separate these friends, they don't care. They care about how good of a friend each is to the other. A celebration of being friends with people who aren't exactly like us. I had no idea Idle and Martinez-Neal are friends! While the text kinda seems like children talking in run-on sentences, I wish it was complete sentences, or at least two separate sentences, one for things they don't care about and one for things they do care about. A good book to talk about what it means to be a good friend!
December 4, 2022
A dreamy collaboration between two illustrators who have very distinct styles but works complementary with one another and the fun text.
January 29, 2023
Maybe I’d have to read it again, but I just don’t care about this book.
February 5, 2023
Julie Fogliano has produced some of my all time favorite picture books, including THESE. The common trait among them is the author's gift for using the "just right" words in the "just right" order to focus readers on the heart of each particular story. She often writes in rhyme, but that approach never overwhelms or even leads the way for readers. She allows the unfolding text to reveal the heart of what is happening, what is at stake, and what is resolved. Those qualities are most often "quiet" in her works, and "quiet" books are reportedly not easily sold in today's market.
Ha!
As with rhyming, another approach writers are frequently cautioned to avoid, the secret to success is to do it well, even perfectly. Julie does just that. Her books often, and especially this one, provide ideal mentor text for anyone attempting to write for children.
In this case, her full text is voiced by what she had envisioned as a single child, addressed to a "you". That "you" would seemingly be another child who the speaker is evidently rebuffing, assuming the "other" likely thinks negative things about the speaker. About their hair, boots, clothes, drawing, what they have or where they live or what they eat. The speaker's guard is up from the first moment the other, the "you", appears
The speaker's words imply suspicion, defensiveness, and (likely) a bias toward others who in any way seem different. The text continues to allow the "I" voice to see and consider a possible connection to the other, one that might actually be an opportunity for company, for play, for... friendship.
This development allows for caring: about what matters most, and about the other as much as about themselves. The lines and language, gently rhymed and paced, provide time for growth, inner reflections, and the possibility for change. The childlike pattern used (and the use of lower case /i/ for the pronoun stating the characters feelings) remind readers of any age that such a suspicious, tentative approach to new encounters, to change, to expectations that remain unpredictable, are common negative reactions at any age, to one degree or another. If the illustrations had developed with this single perspective, I have no doubt that I'd still love and praise this new offering.
But, as the interview linked above reveals, handing text to an illustrator allows for an entirely expanded interpretation, and that was the impact on Molly Idle when she was asked to illustrate. The text spoke to her entirely as an interactive dialogue between TWO characters, alternating that /i/ voice and those cautious feelings, allowing both to gradually recognize themselves as being safe in the other's company and, in fact, very much caring about the newly developing friendship.
This delightful, gentle, powerful exploration of inner and interactive emotions is a perfect reflection of the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s lifetime efforts. Neither character tried to reshape the other, but each is able to overcome cautious defensiveness and give the other a chance.
This is no quick transition; no abracadabra moment occurs. But sustained "tolerance", close observation, and human curiosity serve as magnets to explore further. What this seemingly simple picture book captures is a human being moving through initial discomfort, sitting with those feelings long enough to explore and overcome them. None of that would happen if the initial response was to shut down and go away, or to find like-minded folks and reconfirm that anything other than the familiar presented danger.
That gave the two a chance... for what? To be who they are, and to accept the other fully, finding safety and respect in the process. And, in this case, making new friends. Transformation of our historically silo-evolved society comes one encounter at a time. This new book not only provides mentor-text and mentor-illustration for creators, it is a mentor offering for life, for all ages.
Don't miss it. then share it and actively practice. Seek out opportunities to spend time outside your usual circles, habits, locations. Be patient and fair. Change CAN come, given a chance.
Ha!
As with rhyming, another approach writers are frequently cautioned to avoid, the secret to success is to do it well, even perfectly. Julie does just that. Her books often, and especially this one, provide ideal mentor text for anyone attempting to write for children.
In this case, her full text is voiced by what she had envisioned as a single child, addressed to a "you". That "you" would seemingly be another child who the speaker is evidently rebuffing, assuming the "other" likely thinks negative things about the speaker. About their hair, boots, clothes, drawing, what they have or where they live or what they eat. The speaker's guard is up from the first moment the other, the "you", appears
The speaker's words imply suspicion, defensiveness, and (likely) a bias toward others who in any way seem different. The text continues to allow the "I" voice to see and consider a possible connection to the other, one that might actually be an opportunity for company, for play, for... friendship.
This development allows for caring: about what matters most, and about the other as much as about themselves. The lines and language, gently rhymed and paced, provide time for growth, inner reflections, and the possibility for change. The childlike pattern used (and the use of lower case /i/ for the pronoun stating the characters feelings) remind readers of any age that such a suspicious, tentative approach to new encounters, to change, to expectations that remain unpredictable, are common negative reactions at any age, to one degree or another. If the illustrations had developed with this single perspective, I have no doubt that I'd still love and praise this new offering.
But, as the interview linked above reveals, handing text to an illustrator allows for an entirely expanded interpretation, and that was the impact on Molly Idle when she was asked to illustrate. The text spoke to her entirely as an interactive dialogue between TWO characters, alternating that /i/ voice and those cautious feelings, allowing both to gradually recognize themselves as being safe in the other's company and, in fact, very much caring about the newly developing friendship.
This delightful, gentle, powerful exploration of inner and interactive emotions is a perfect reflection of the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s lifetime efforts. Neither character tried to reshape the other, but each is able to overcome cautious defensiveness and give the other a chance.
This is no quick transition; no abracadabra moment occurs. But sustained "tolerance", close observation, and human curiosity serve as magnets to explore further. What this seemingly simple picture book captures is a human being moving through initial discomfort, sitting with those feelings long enough to explore and overcome them. None of that would happen if the initial response was to shut down and go away, or to find like-minded folks and reconfirm that anything other than the familiar presented danger.
That gave the two a chance... for what? To be who they are, and to accept the other fully, finding safety and respect in the process. And, in this case, making new friends. Transformation of our historically silo-evolved society comes one encounter at a time. This new book not only provides mentor-text and mentor-illustration for creators, it is a mentor offering for life, for all ages.
Don't miss it. then share it and actively practice. Seek out opportunities to spend time outside your usual circles, habits, locations. Be patient and fair. Change CAN come, given a chance.
December 9, 2022
12/6/2022 Delightful. Full review tk at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.
12/9/2022 This sweet picture book on what it means to be a true friend is a delight for adults and children both.
The poem by Julie Fogliano tells the tale of two quite different children who don't seem to be getting along. But as the book progresses, readers see that the kids, who seemingly began by declaring how much they didn't care about each other, actually don't care about aspects of each other's lives that have no bearing on their relationship, like the sizes of their houses or the way their lunches smell. What the kids do care about is how they treat each other with kindness and consideration and respect, a wonderfully affirming lesson that gets past the superficial to talk about the meaning of true friendship.
Written in a bouncy manner that invites read-alongs, the language was perfect for my reluctant young readers, especially at bedtime when little eyes and minds are getting tired. My youngest loved snuggling with me and turning the pages as we took turns reading the poem aloud.
But I must say that the illustrations are the biggest standout here. Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal, real life best friends since childhood, collaborated on the remarkable art. Drawn mostly in graphite, with a pop of color -- one in teal and one in yellow -- for each child, the illustrations are outstanding, capturing all the emotions as the protagonists get to know one another and learn how to be good friends.
The afterword provides further insight both into the artists' collaborative process and the author's creative journey with this book. It's a worthwhile picture book that will hopefully instill an appreciation and understanding of true friendship in kids (and the adults who love reading with them.)
I Don't Care by Julie Fogliano, Molly Idle & Juana Martinez-Neal was published November 22 2022 by Holiday House and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
12/9/2022 This sweet picture book on what it means to be a true friend is a delight for adults and children both.
The poem by Julie Fogliano tells the tale of two quite different children who don't seem to be getting along. But as the book progresses, readers see that the kids, who seemingly began by declaring how much they didn't care about each other, actually don't care about aspects of each other's lives that have no bearing on their relationship, like the sizes of their houses or the way their lunches smell. What the kids do care about is how they treat each other with kindness and consideration and respect, a wonderfully affirming lesson that gets past the superficial to talk about the meaning of true friendship.
Written in a bouncy manner that invites read-alongs, the language was perfect for my reluctant young readers, especially at bedtime when little eyes and minds are getting tired. My youngest loved snuggling with me and turning the pages as we took turns reading the poem aloud.
But I must say that the illustrations are the biggest standout here. Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal, real life best friends since childhood, collaborated on the remarkable art. Drawn mostly in graphite, with a pop of color -- one in teal and one in yellow -- for each child, the illustrations are outstanding, capturing all the emotions as the protagonists get to know one another and learn how to be good friends.
The afterword provides further insight both into the artists' collaborative process and the author's creative journey with this book. It's a worthwhile picture book that will hopefully instill an appreciation and understanding of true friendship in kids (and the adults who love reading with them.)
I Don't Care by Julie Fogliano, Molly Idle & Juana Martinez-Neal was published November 22 2022 by Holiday House and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
January 19, 2023
💙💛 I Don’t Care ✍️Julie Fogliano 🎨Molly Idle & Juana Martinez-Neal
💛💙So I know I posted some Caldecott picks yesterday but I have to also mention this lovely book published in 2022. Both illustrators are past Caldecott Honorees and Best Friends so it is pretty hard not to consider a book illustrated by them and about Best Friends for the Caldecott… Am I right?
I love the pencil sketch quality of the illustrations with the simple two color overlay. The title of the book is intriguing and purposefully (IMO) a bit misleading. We start by seeing all the things the two do NOT care about like opinions on how they look or dress or their singing and artistic skills. But what they DO care about is how they treat each other and embrace playing, kindness, and how the other person feels.
It is just a sweet book through and through and would be a great addition to any library and one to use with elementary students for a lesson on friendship and acceptance. I love the illustrator notes in the back of the book about their friendship and how they worked together to create the book.
💛💙What do you think? Will this be the first time a best friend duo wins the Caldecott? 💙💛
#mockcaldecott @mollyidle @juanamartinezn @juliefogliano @holidayhousebks @nealporterbooks #picturebookrecommendations #picturebook #picturebookillustration #bestfriendbooks #picturebookart #picturebookaday #picturebooksaremyjam #elementarylibrary #raisingreaders #literacymatters #friendshipbooks
💛💙So I know I posted some Caldecott picks yesterday but I have to also mention this lovely book published in 2022. Both illustrators are past Caldecott Honorees and Best Friends so it is pretty hard not to consider a book illustrated by them and about Best Friends for the Caldecott… Am I right?
I love the pencil sketch quality of the illustrations with the simple two color overlay. The title of the book is intriguing and purposefully (IMO) a bit misleading. We start by seeing all the things the two do NOT care about like opinions on how they look or dress or their singing and artistic skills. But what they DO care about is how they treat each other and embrace playing, kindness, and how the other person feels.
It is just a sweet book through and through and would be a great addition to any library and one to use with elementary students for a lesson on friendship and acceptance. I love the illustrator notes in the back of the book about their friendship and how they worked together to create the book.
💛💙What do you think? Will this be the first time a best friend duo wins the Caldecott? 💙💛
#mockcaldecott @mollyidle @juanamartinezn @juliefogliano @holidayhousebks @nealporterbooks #picturebookrecommendations #picturebook #picturebookillustration #bestfriendbooks #picturebookart #picturebookaday #picturebooksaremyjam #elementarylibrary #raisingreaders #literacymatters #friendshipbooks
March 31, 2024
Incontournable Album Avril 2024
Il est relativement commun de parler d'amitié dans les albums et les romans jeunesse, mais ici, ce que je trouve particulièrement intéressant, c'est de traiter l'amitié dans son sens large et de nommer ses composantes un peu indirectement.
Deux petites filles sont de part et d'autre d'un arbre et elles ont l'air d'être ennuyée de la présence de l'autre. En texte, on démarre les "ça m'est égal que...". Dans les premières pages, elles existent de part et d'autre sans trop se regarder et sans interagir, au gré des "ça m'est égal ce que tu as l'air physiquement" et "ça m'est égal ce que tu penses de mes goûts personnels". Peu à peu, des sourires commencent à poindre, des échanges sont faits et des rires éclatent. "Ça ne m'est pas égal ce que tu ressens et ce que tu souhaites", "ça ne m'est pas égal quand tu te mets en danger" et surtout, "j'aime" tes qualités, tes signes d'affection et je connais tes préférences. "J'aime que tu sois toi et que je sois moi", que nous soyons différentes, mais malgré tout que nous ayons du plaisir et que nous nous complémentons si bien. Le livre illustre pleins de beaux moments entre les deux filles et se solde avec "Je tiens vraiment beaucoup à tour cela, j'y tiens vraiment beaucoup".
Qu'est-ce que c'est une "amitié"? C'est bien plus qu'un statut qu'on se donne un peu trop spontanément étant enfant, et ce n'est ni quelque chose qu'on peu acheter, ni quelque chose qu'on peut extorquer. L'amitié est inconditionnelle, elle possède plusieurs bases importantes et entre dans les sphères sociales fondamentales. Bien avant d'avoir des relations amoureuses, nous avons des relations amicales, dont les bases sont d'ailleurs les mêmes, le désir sexuel exclut: la confiance, la réciprocité, le plaisir partagé, la communication saine, le partage, le respect, la solidarité, l'affection et les projets communs, tous cela à des degrés variables. Ce n'est donc pas qu'une histoire "d'être camarades de classe" ou encore "copains de sports". L'amitié, c'est quelque chose de précieux et compte tenu de ses nombreuses bases, quelque chose de complexe, qu'on apprend dès l'enfance.
L'album présent est une ode à l'amitié dans sa définition.Qu'est-ce qui est futile de ce qui est essentiel. On n'a pas besoin d'aimer le physique de la personne ou encore sa façon de s'habiller, de dessiner ou de chanter. On a pas à juger de ces choses-là, même si bien sur, on peut en discuter. C'est d'ailleurs un critère superficiel que de choisir ses amis en fonction de leur apparence, car ça suppose de passer outre ce qu'ils sont dans leur essence. C,est pourquoi l’album commence par ces "ça m'est égal que" très axés sur le physique ou l'environnement direct ( comme la moustache du papa ou l'odeur des sandwichs du repas du midi).
Dans l'autre partie, on traite de ce qui importe, des valeurs et des comportements socio-affectifs donc. On aborde la question de l'empathie, soit de savoir se soucier de ce que ressentent les autres et d'être capable de se mettre à leur place. On articule l'idée de la réciprocité, soit que cette amitié est équitable et équilibrée, elle profite aux deux sans que ce soit au détriment d'une ou de l'autre. Elle est complice aussi, car elles partagent des fous rire, des moments moins joyeux, des jeux comme des discutions. Elles sont capables d'affection dans leurs gestes, que ce soit des câlins ou de se prendre les mains, leur contact est confiant et sincère. Elles aiment que leur différence soit reconnue et célébrée au même titre que leurs ressemblances leur permettent des intérêts et projets communs. Plus que tout, je pense, il y a l'importance dans leur validation d'émotions, qu'elles peuvent vivre entre elle et qui est liée à leur réel souci de l'autre.
Je ne réitèrerai jamais assez combien il est fondamental de parler des amitiés et de ce qui s'y rattache, car en complément des apprentissages d'ordre académique, nous devons apprendre à vivre ensemble et se développer au contact de nos pairs, comme les animaux grégaires que nous sommes. Apprendre l'amitié, c'est apprendre à grandir. C'est admettre l'importance de la communication efficace, les compromis, le partage, l'humilité aussi ( on est pas tous seuls, il y a d'autres gens autours de nous). C'est aussi de développer son estime de soi, d'avoir un appui dans les moments difficiles ou les petits tracas quotidiens. Les petites demoiselles ont donc bien raison de dire que tout ça, il faut y tenir vraiment beaucoup. Avoir de belles relations sociales, ne serait qu'avec quelques personnes, c'est un passeport pour la vie. Ni plus, ni moins.
Les illustrations sont fort mignonnes et vous remarquerez que la petite fille blonde de gauche, celle avec les bulles bleues, est dessinée différemment de celle de droit, celle avec les bulles jaunes. Le trait est plus rond et plus net que celui de droit, dont ont voit les multiples traits superposés et plus d'angles dans les vêtements et le corps. Les deux petites filles ne se touchent pas au début, mais à la fin, elles sont bras dessus, bras dessous, ce qui laisse entendre la collaboration des deux illustratrices sur les derniers dessins tout spécialement. J'ai juste un peu de mal avec le choix d'un bleu si profond pour la petite fille de gauche car les dessins semblent cachés, beaucoup plus qu'avec le jaune, plus subtile et moins visuellement "par dessus" le dessin. J'aurais opté pour un bleu contenant plus d'eau, pour atténué la nuance, on verrait mieux la petite fille. Néanmoins, l'idée des bulles de couleur est un joli symbole, où le bleu et le jaune finissent par s'unir et former une zone verte. Une zone commune.
Bref, des beaux dessins au plomb tout doux avec de belles expressions faciales,
un très beau message sur l'amitié et ses composantes, accessible et étonnamment bâtit comme "un froid vers un chaud", sans doute un peu comme la relation, qui par de l'indifférence vers la chaleur relationnelle, j'imagine. Un bel ajout aux albums jeunesse, dont j,ai déjà hâte d'en parler aux professeur.e.s.
Pour un lectorat préscolaire, 4-5 ans+
Catégorisation: Album fiction états-uniens, littérature jeunesse préscolaire, 4-5 ans+
Note: 8/10
Il est relativement commun de parler d'amitié dans les albums et les romans jeunesse, mais ici, ce que je trouve particulièrement intéressant, c'est de traiter l'amitié dans son sens large et de nommer ses composantes un peu indirectement.
Deux petites filles sont de part et d'autre d'un arbre et elles ont l'air d'être ennuyée de la présence de l'autre. En texte, on démarre les "ça m'est égal que...". Dans les premières pages, elles existent de part et d'autre sans trop se regarder et sans interagir, au gré des "ça m'est égal ce que tu as l'air physiquement" et "ça m'est égal ce que tu penses de mes goûts personnels". Peu à peu, des sourires commencent à poindre, des échanges sont faits et des rires éclatent. "Ça ne m'est pas égal ce que tu ressens et ce que tu souhaites", "ça ne m'est pas égal quand tu te mets en danger" et surtout, "j'aime" tes qualités, tes signes d'affection et je connais tes préférences. "J'aime que tu sois toi et que je sois moi", que nous soyons différentes, mais malgré tout que nous ayons du plaisir et que nous nous complémentons si bien. Le livre illustre pleins de beaux moments entre les deux filles et se solde avec "Je tiens vraiment beaucoup à tour cela, j'y tiens vraiment beaucoup".
Qu'est-ce que c'est une "amitié"? C'est bien plus qu'un statut qu'on se donne un peu trop spontanément étant enfant, et ce n'est ni quelque chose qu'on peu acheter, ni quelque chose qu'on peut extorquer. L'amitié est inconditionnelle, elle possède plusieurs bases importantes et entre dans les sphères sociales fondamentales. Bien avant d'avoir des relations amoureuses, nous avons des relations amicales, dont les bases sont d'ailleurs les mêmes, le désir sexuel exclut: la confiance, la réciprocité, le plaisir partagé, la communication saine, le partage, le respect, la solidarité, l'affection et les projets communs, tous cela à des degrés variables. Ce n'est donc pas qu'une histoire "d'être camarades de classe" ou encore "copains de sports". L'amitié, c'est quelque chose de précieux et compte tenu de ses nombreuses bases, quelque chose de complexe, qu'on apprend dès l'enfance.
L'album présent est une ode à l'amitié dans sa définition.Qu'est-ce qui est futile de ce qui est essentiel. On n'a pas besoin d'aimer le physique de la personne ou encore sa façon de s'habiller, de dessiner ou de chanter. On a pas à juger de ces choses-là, même si bien sur, on peut en discuter. C'est d'ailleurs un critère superficiel que de choisir ses amis en fonction de leur apparence, car ça suppose de passer outre ce qu'ils sont dans leur essence. C,est pourquoi l’album commence par ces "ça m'est égal que" très axés sur le physique ou l'environnement direct ( comme la moustache du papa ou l'odeur des sandwichs du repas du midi).
Dans l'autre partie, on traite de ce qui importe, des valeurs et des comportements socio-affectifs donc. On aborde la question de l'empathie, soit de savoir se soucier de ce que ressentent les autres et d'être capable de se mettre à leur place. On articule l'idée de la réciprocité, soit que cette amitié est équitable et équilibrée, elle profite aux deux sans que ce soit au détriment d'une ou de l'autre. Elle est complice aussi, car elles partagent des fous rire, des moments moins joyeux, des jeux comme des discutions. Elles sont capables d'affection dans leurs gestes, que ce soit des câlins ou de se prendre les mains, leur contact est confiant et sincère. Elles aiment que leur différence soit reconnue et célébrée au même titre que leurs ressemblances leur permettent des intérêts et projets communs. Plus que tout, je pense, il y a l'importance dans leur validation d'émotions, qu'elles peuvent vivre entre elle et qui est liée à leur réel souci de l'autre.
Je ne réitèrerai jamais assez combien il est fondamental de parler des amitiés et de ce qui s'y rattache, car en complément des apprentissages d'ordre académique, nous devons apprendre à vivre ensemble et se développer au contact de nos pairs, comme les animaux grégaires que nous sommes. Apprendre l'amitié, c'est apprendre à grandir. C'est admettre l'importance de la communication efficace, les compromis, le partage, l'humilité aussi ( on est pas tous seuls, il y a d'autres gens autours de nous). C'est aussi de développer son estime de soi, d'avoir un appui dans les moments difficiles ou les petits tracas quotidiens. Les petites demoiselles ont donc bien raison de dire que tout ça, il faut y tenir vraiment beaucoup. Avoir de belles relations sociales, ne serait qu'avec quelques personnes, c'est un passeport pour la vie. Ni plus, ni moins.
Les illustrations sont fort mignonnes et vous remarquerez que la petite fille blonde de gauche, celle avec les bulles bleues, est dessinée différemment de celle de droit, celle avec les bulles jaunes. Le trait est plus rond et plus net que celui de droit, dont ont voit les multiples traits superposés et plus d'angles dans les vêtements et le corps. Les deux petites filles ne se touchent pas au début, mais à la fin, elles sont bras dessus, bras dessous, ce qui laisse entendre la collaboration des deux illustratrices sur les derniers dessins tout spécialement. J'ai juste un peu de mal avec le choix d'un bleu si profond pour la petite fille de gauche car les dessins semblent cachés, beaucoup plus qu'avec le jaune, plus subtile et moins visuellement "par dessus" le dessin. J'aurais opté pour un bleu contenant plus d'eau, pour atténué la nuance, on verrait mieux la petite fille. Néanmoins, l'idée des bulles de couleur est un joli symbole, où le bleu et le jaune finissent par s'unir et former une zone verte. Une zone commune.
Bref, des beaux dessins au plomb tout doux avec de belles expressions faciales,
un très beau message sur l'amitié et ses composantes, accessible et étonnamment bâtit comme "un froid vers un chaud", sans doute un peu comme la relation, qui par de l'indifférence vers la chaleur relationnelle, j'imagine. Un bel ajout aux albums jeunesse, dont j,ai déjà hâte d'en parler aux professeur.e.s.
Pour un lectorat préscolaire, 4-5 ans+
Catégorisation: Album fiction états-uniens, littérature jeunesse préscolaire, 4-5 ans+
Note: 8/10
January 4, 2023
I love this picture book so much! The author and illustrator team is a dream partnership and they've put together a memorable book that is impactful, memorable, and heartwarming. The narrative provides a celebration of what true friendship looks like -- recognizing differences but celebrating what truly matters.
The children in the story begin their narrative directed toward the other, indicating "I don't care" what you think of me ... and they end with a more positive mindset: "I really care" about what aspects we share in our friendship. I love the shift.
The text is rhythmic and easy to read out loud -- it's one kids will latch on to and want to try and read on their own. The illustrations match the undertones of the text so perfectly. It's mostly grayscale with each child encircled by either a blue or yellow bubble. As their friendship blossoms we see their blue and yellow bubbles mix together to create green. It's a lovely illustration of the theme.
***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Holiday House. Opinions are my own.
The children in the story begin their narrative directed toward the other, indicating "I don't care" what you think of me ... and they end with a more positive mindset: "I really care" about what aspects we share in our friendship. I love the shift.
The text is rhythmic and easy to read out loud -- it's one kids will latch on to and want to try and read on their own. The illustrations match the undertones of the text so perfectly. It's mostly grayscale with each child encircled by either a blue or yellow bubble. As their friendship blossoms we see their blue and yellow bubbles mix together to create green. It's a lovely illustration of the theme.
***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Holiday House. Opinions are my own.
July 2, 2025
This darling story opens with two children sitting on opposite sides of a tree, doing their own thing. One child ha a blue bubble around them and the other child a yellow. The narrator begins with bouncy, rhyming text, exclaiming what they don't care about. For example, "I don't care that you think my singing is funny or whether my frog drawing looks like a bunny". Multiple "I don't care's" are accompanied by illustrations of the two children getting closer together and beginning to interact. The colors begin to mingle together as the narrator begins to talk about things the children would have no control over, such as the size of their house or Dad's beard. Eventually the narrator switches to what IS cared about. For example, "...i really do care that you always play fair and don't change the rules when I'm winning".
Such an amazing book. Highly, highly recommended for storytime and for everyone.
Such an amazing book. Highly, highly recommended for storytime and for everyone.
December 17, 2022
Age: Preschool+
SEL: Loving yourself, and accepting & embracing a friend's differences
What a unique execution of a common picture book topic: friendship. Two celebrated illustrators (who are childhood and current best friends irl!!) draw two confident kids meeting for the first time under a tree. The first half of the book depicts the kids sullenly playing and exploring separately, illustrated with two separate color bubbles, while the text exudes confidence in one's differences.
Then the kids start joyfully playing together, the color bubbles merging and creating a new color. The text shifts from pride in oneself to caring about difference and what makes a good friend.
This book will be a go-to friendship book for years to come.
SEL: Loving yourself, and accepting & embracing a friend's differences
What a unique execution of a common picture book topic: friendship. Two celebrated illustrators (who are childhood and current best friends irl!!) draw two confident kids meeting for the first time under a tree. The first half of the book depicts the kids sullenly playing and exploring separately, illustrated with two separate color bubbles, while the text exudes confidence in one's differences.
"I really don't care what you think of my hair or my eyes or my nose or my toes"
Then the kids start joyfully playing together, the color bubbles merging and creating a new color. The text shifts from pride in oneself to caring about difference and what makes a good friend.
This book will be a go-to friendship book for years to come.
August 4, 2024
I Don’t Care by Julie Fogliano and illustrated by Molly idle and Juana Martinez Neal is a sweet and humorous story about two friends. Fogliano’s writing is poetic and captures the innocence of childhood and beauty of friendships. Artwork is done in a spare color palette. Idle and Neal, both award winning illustrators, share in the book about their own friendship and how it came to be illustrated by the pair. Make sure you take a peek under the dust jacket for additional illustration, as well as the end pages for clues about the mood of the story. Includes special dedications and illustrators’ notes. I Don’t Care is a perfect pick when reading about friendships. I recommend that you add this charming picture book to your repertoire of books about friends. Highly recommended.
“Isn’t everything easier when you play with friends?” -Juana Martinez Neal.
“Isn’t everything easier when you play with friends?” -Juana Martinez Neal.
January 14, 2023
First of all, know that this author does not use capitalization. I find this extremely annoying in a book that targets children who are learning to read and write.
If you can ignore the above, the sweet rhyming text accompanies softly shaded illustrations of two little girls. The girls declare that they don't care about peripheral issues such as hair style, clothes, funny singing, and undeveloped drawing skills.
They DO care about more consequential traits such as fairness, kindness, shared experiences, and respect for feelings.
Discussion possibilities abound for tie-in with PBIS, beginning of the year community building, and writing prompts of DON'T care and DO care lists.
F&P reading level: M
If you can ignore the above, the sweet rhyming text accompanies softly shaded illustrations of two little girls. The girls declare that they don't care about peripheral issues such as hair style, clothes, funny singing, and undeveloped drawing skills.
They DO care about more consequential traits such as fairness, kindness, shared experiences, and respect for feelings.
Discussion possibilities abound for tie-in with PBIS, beginning of the year community building, and writing prompts of DON'T care and DO care lists.
F&P reading level: M
December 22, 2022
I did not actually cry while reading this book. But it was close.
We start with two kids who simply don't care what the other one thinks. About anything. But slowly the text turns to acknowledge that these two friends don't care about the superficial things, but do indeed care very much about all the good bits and pieces of their friendship. And they do in fact care very much about each other.
In the spirit of friendship, one illustrator does not do all the work here, but two! And those two are also friends, and there are short notes about their friendship and work in the back.
Such a sweet, pure spirit just shines through. I love everyone who worked on this book.
We start with two kids who simply don't care what the other one thinks. About anything. But slowly the text turns to acknowledge that these two friends don't care about the superficial things, but do indeed care very much about all the good bits and pieces of their friendship. And they do in fact care very much about each other.
In the spirit of friendship, one illustrator does not do all the work here, but two! And those two are also friends, and there are short notes about their friendship and work in the back.
Such a sweet, pure spirit just shines through. I love everyone who worked on this book.
January 10, 2023
Charming, delightful, winsome. Beautifully written to engage the attention and heart of the young listener. The text with it's light rhyme frolics across the pages showing two beautifully drawn young girls who seem at odds with one another yet don't really care what the other thinks.
As the story progresses they are drawn to each other and become very caring of each other. I absolutely love the illustrations. The captivating expressions of these two girls as they traverse the emotional journey that carries them from standoffishness to joyful togetherness.
I highly recommend.
I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.
As the story progresses they are drawn to each other and become very caring of each other. I absolutely love the illustrations. The captivating expressions of these two girls as they traverse the emotional journey that carries them from standoffishness to joyful togetherness.
I highly recommend.
I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.
February 13, 2023
This is a simple, cutesy, run-of-the-mill picture book about two friends who don't care what the other thinks about their looks and stuff but care about each other's character. While the message is great, it just felt like it has been done before with no new angle, and the illustrations are just okay. A lot of white space and not to my liking. I'm sure I Don't Care (2022) by Julie Fogliano with pictures by Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal. Glad I read it, but will definitely forget it by the end of the day. There's nothing memorable here. Maybe different illustrations would have helped it. Whatever. My rating - 2/5
April 2, 2023
What a beautiful book to celebrate how friends don’t have to be exactly the same and instead it is about the type of person you are that lends to the type of friend you are. The text was also done quite cleverly switching from what the young children don’t care about to what they do care about in a contrasting structure.
The illustrations are BEAUTIFUL, which I am sure you assume if you know Idle & Martinez-Neal’s work. And I love how the illustrators are in real life Best Friends and Molly Idle had to get Juana Martinez-Neal to do it with her to make it truly authentic.
Full review with teaching tools: https://www.unleashingreaders.com/26090
The illustrations are BEAUTIFUL, which I am sure you assume if you know Idle & Martinez-Neal’s work. And I love how the illustrators are in real life Best Friends and Molly Idle had to get Juana Martinez-Neal to do it with her to make it truly authentic.
Full review with teaching tools: https://www.unleashingreaders.com/26090
June 7, 2023
A poem about two friends and the things that do and don't matter in their friendship.
What an adorable story about friendship based on the things that matter (like being kind, not physical appearance or other superficial things). I like how this poem models setting healthy boundaries in a friendship (they communicate that they don't like things like changing the rules when one of them is winning) and also affirming others and what they mean to you. I love the illustrators' notes in the back about how they really are besties and how they worked on this together.
Notes on content: Nothing in this is capitalized, kind of like e.e. cummings' poetry style.
What an adorable story about friendship based on the things that matter (like being kind, not physical appearance or other superficial things). I like how this poem models setting healthy boundaries in a friendship (they communicate that they don't like things like changing the rules when one of them is winning) and also affirming others and what they mean to you. I love the illustrators' notes in the back about how they really are besties and how they worked on this together.
Notes on content: Nothing in this is capitalized, kind of like e.e. cummings' poetry style.
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