You Can!: Kids Empowering Kids

by Alexandra Strick, Steve Antony (Illustrator)

Young people share valuable advice—words they wish they had heard growing up—to inspire, reassure, encourage, and say You’re enough, just as you are.

You can . . . be brave, challenge yourself, overcome your fears, be kind, be YOU! Come on an amazing journey with fourteen young people as they grow from birth to eighteen, learning new skills, exploring new worlds, standing up for their own and others’ rights, and following their dreams. Created in consultation with real young adults, Alexandra Strick’s groundbreaking narrative will inspire and empower young people of all ages and abilities to believe in themselves and follow their own path, especially during tough times. Complemented by Steve Antony’s exuberant and inclusive artwork, which introduces fourteen comparable fictional characters and tracks their growth page by page, You Can! is a timely and meaningful gift for graduates or any reader marking significant milestones.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, LGBT, Self Esteem, Love, Inspirational, Self Help

40 pages, Hardcover

Published October 11, 2022

Reviews

[Kiera Beddes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story follows 14 young people from birth to eighteen and shares positive, uplifting messages about what people can be and do.

The art style isn’t my favorite, but the overall message is so good that I have to heartily recommend this book for your library. I loved the inclusiveness of the illustrations - everyone is represented - and it was so fun to watch them grow up over the course of the book and try new things.

[Sarah BT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, this is another encouragement/empowerment book for kids in a sea that seems very full of them right now. Some are good, some are just ok. What makes You Can different is that throughout the illustrations, we follow the same group of kids from birth to adulthood. The kids are inclusive with a variety of abilities. In what other picture book have we seen a blind runner with a running guide? I loved that! We get to see them grow up in the pages. I love the endpapers, showing them as babies and then in their various new careers as adults. I also love that kids gave feedback and helped the author and illustrator with what kids wanted to say to other kids. This is an empowerment book that actually feels empowering and not like a half-hearted message of hope and encouragement.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple and effective. Really lovely sentiment.

[Eve Costarelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK…blown away doesn't even begin to describe the impact of this book. From the get-go, I was drawn in by the beautiful cover art-that just shouts out inclusion and the affirmation, “You Can!” And it is clear from the fantastic illustrations by the incredible Steve Antony, who I learned is color blind and works with a limited color palette because of this that he has discovered a world of bright colors that he can see and they are engaging and unique, just like every child drawn. This book was written in collaboration with young adults (sweetly rendered on the last 2 pages, in a zoom session, with the artist. These young adults offered words of wisdom and encouragement delivered in the most engaging and inspirational way to their younger selves-things that they wish they could have heard as children themselves. This book is highly encouraging and teaches each and everyone of us that we can be brave, beautiful, inventive and strong. I love a good picture book. I use them for all ages and use them in groups of young children, at schools, with families as well as in high schools and senior living facilities, especially with the memory units. These people love the illustrations and the simple text engages them…this book is one that I will share far and wide. It's about self-esteem, loving yourself, and being a good and kind accepting person of all ages and all abilities. 3 Cheers!

[Jennifer Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very inspiring book. In this book you watch 14 very different people grow up from birth to age 18. Through the book you learn that everyone can do anything they set their mind to even if they have to do things differently than others. The book encourages children to stand up for what they believe in, help others, believe in themselves, be themselves, etc. This book is full of inspiring messages from young people for young people and is representative of a wide variety of races, ethnicities, and abilities. Hopefully each child in a classroom can see themselves represented in a character in the book. This would be an excellent read aloud book and would be a great introduction to an all about me unit or simply an aid to raise student's self confidence and create a positive self-concept.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

YOU CAN is a motivating story for children. But what makes it special is it's written by children. The author asks children what they have to say to inspire others and she incorporates it into the story. In the back of the book there's an explanation to how the story YOU CAN came to be and I love how there are pictures for each child who had some input. The illustrations are simple with light detail but bold in color. The author includes children of all different races and they encourage others to be the best that they can be while not being judgmental.

Final Verdict: I would recommend this to all children everywhere because it is both inspirational and thought-provoking. It also belongs in elementary school libraries.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you get when the author & illustrator ask a group of children the advice they would give others? You get a really amazing book!

You Can follows fourteen young people from infants to young adulthood as they navigate and figure out the world around them. Watch as each individual follows their own path of discovery while also working together through some of life’s challenges and joys.

This is such a sweet book that symbolizes so many wonderful things: community, diversity, inclusiveness, love, and growth. A true love letter to all future children. You are valued, you are important, and you matter!

[Vera Godley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author and illustrator follow a group of racially and physically enabled or disabled children from very young to their teens.

They are encouraged to try and try and try again and told that they can do many things. A grand book of encouragement and of personal achievement as well as the concept of helping others to overcome their difficulties.

I can’t agree with everything in the book but there is much good in the story.

I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

[Sophie Mulcaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how inclusive this book is to children! It shows all different children however no one is different we’re all the same no matter ethnicity, background or culture. This book is empowering to children as they will read it and think to treat everyone the same. It will give children a good mindset that no matter who you are you can do all the things that everyone else can. Children just need to realise that treating everyone the same makes them a better person.

[Ariana Bollas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is geared for children ages pre-k and until first grade. I chose this book because it written in a simple manner that sends a powerful message to young readers. The theme of this book would be of self-love and self esteem. The book focuses on showing the children the many things they can do and how they can be different.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inclusive and empowering.
I like that each character is colour coded, so you can see them grow.

[Stephani · Rating 4 out of 5]

great representation and simple text, although it is a bit long

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspiring book for kids to be themselves and that they can do anything. Illustrations are very diverse and lovely.

[Claire]

I love this book! Great for an inclusive classroom! The illustrations include a diverse representation of children, making this empowering and relatable to EVERYONE.