The Knowing

by Ani DiFranco, Julia Mathew (Illustrator)

From the Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter, political activist, and feminist icon comes a picture book with purpose, with heart, and with words that sing.

Singer-songwriter, activist, feminist, and best-selling author Ani Di Franco has written something for her youngest a picture book that invites young readers to ponder the distinction between outer forms of identity and the inner light of consciousness that is even more central to our being. In her signature folk style, Di Franco weaves a story that incorporates themes of individual power and collective responsibility. First-time illustrator Julia Mathew paints universal scenes of childhood in her family’s native India, glowing with honesty and love. Designed to be read aloud or sung, and pored over, this picture book is rich with meaningful text, poignant illustrations, and a unique message that will resonate with all.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Poetry

32 pages, Hardcover

Published March 7, 2023

About the author

Ani DiFranco is a Grammy Award winning singer, guitarist, and songwriter. She is known as a prolific artist (having released nineteen albums) and is widely celebrated as a feminist icon.

Reviews

[Dontaná · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable, colorful picture book with multicultural illustrations. Children are perceptive, and this book reinforces the idea that there are things about themselves that they know to be true with their whole heart. It doesn't mean those things will never change, but in the moment they know.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the premise, that there are things on the outside that are observable, but our true selves are more of what's on the inside, but it still felt a little opaque for small children. Things that seemed more like "inside" things were still described as different from the "knowing" so figuring out what that is felt out of reach.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations, created using watercolor, colored pencil, and charcoal, are a bit too undefined for my taste, but lovingly depict a young girl during the course of her day.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought-provoking picture book about self-awareness and self-acceptance. It’s about what we know about ourselves and others, and how identity grows with experience. An exploration of inner and outer identity and connectedness.

[Jared Huntzinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful book. Both the message and the illustrations. I believe this book should win because I feel it is a book many kids should see. Kids are so much more than people believe. They are inquisitive, observant, thoughtful. This book follows a young girl around her everyday life and centers around who we are on the outside as well as the inside. I am a personal fan of water color art, especially in picture books. I feel like watercolor is pretty without even trying. The illustrations in this book were done beautifully. Firstly, the cover was done so well. It depicts a young girl in a tree of blue highlighted by a contrasting orange and blue background. I really enjoyed the family photos painted on the walls before the story started it was very welcoming and comforting. One of my favorite illustrations is about halfway in the book. It depicts the literal girl laying in the grass with a tiny pink butterfly on her nose. Another favorite, is the girl and her friends standing under a fruit tree that is showered with sunlight. It shows the beauty in a lot of the simple things in life.

[Pam Schwartz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a friend in high school who was a huge Ani Di Franco fan, so when I saw she had released a picture book, I gave it a shot and I’m very glad I did. The words combine with the beautiful illustrations which feature idyllic moments in one girl’s life to pass on the message that your identity is made up of many things: things that show on the outside to others, things that you think and feel, and things that change with time or your mood. I loved it and wish I had a book with this message when I was younger. It made me nostalgic and a little teary-eyed and felt like a reassuring hug. I am not sappy, but this book made me feel things.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deeply moving, the children's book explains our outside world and the internal world of ourselves. I think the nebulousness of "The Knowing" could have been rewritten because at the beginning I thought there was a touch of mystery to what "The Knowing" was-- only to understand that it's the internal part of ourselves (at least I think?)

Either way the complimentary illustrations and text intertwine in a meaningful and thoughtful way that gently shares with the reader the range of our experiences and connections.

[Uni Godina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art and cover drew my attention. I liked the message of this book. It's short and sweet, and I thought about reading this book to my future kids someday.

My favorite line:
"...but this is not all of who I am underneath this is something more
all of these things are just what's showing
underneath all that I know
is The Knowing"

The message of this book gives readers the confidence and empowerment to embrace who they are, and that they are more than what they look.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poet Di Franco’s rhyming verse about awareness and growing knowledge speaks of consciousness that is both personal and universal. Mathew illustrates this with gentle watercolors depicting a small girl growing up in India as she did as a child. The result is a picture book that is both gentle and profound.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book that looks at the many layers of identity that we all have. This book would be a perfect 'grandma/gradpa' book to read to a small child because it deals with how individuals find their place beyond their family in society. There is a very real need for books like this to help children navigate the complex questions that we all must face as we grow.

[Trisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prepare yourself for abstract thinking. This children's book requires the young reader to understand that there's something inside you that no one except you knows. Others can only see what you show them. That's it. There's no story that goes with it.
The paintings by Julia Mathew are quite lovely. This is her first children's book.

[Basil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I don't normally read picture books, but I saw that it was written by ANI DIFRANCO and I was too curious. Wonderful existentialist messages on a level for very small children to help build up solid radical self-acceptance from an early age. And the illustrations were gorgeous. I wish every child could get a copy of this book. Some adults might benefit from it, too!

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have personal attributes and personal favorites ect.
but this is only part of who any of us are...

"...but this is not all of who I am underneath this is something more
all of these things are just what's showing
underneath all that I know
is The Knowing"

Beautiful illustrations

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's no secret that I love Ani, so I was kind of scared to read this bc I was afraid I wouldn't like it. It is gorgeous and well-written. I love it and wish my kids were still young enough to like me reading picture books to them. Maybe when I am a grandma. Well done Ani and Julia.

[MommaWR · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had a really strong message for children about being more than just their outward appearance. It also emphasized that a person’s opinions are changeable and that is alright. “I have beliefs and someday those beliefs might change. I have blocks that I like to arrange and arrange”

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lyrical text and dreamy illustrations. I thought this picture book was lovely, but my child wasn't a fan. A picture book parents will enjoy more than children.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rhyming text affirming selfhood, collective consciousness, and inconnectedness complemented with striking illustrations by Julia Matthew.

[Kris Dersch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations! I hate to throw shade at Ani, who I've always been a fan of, but the text is a little bland. I like the message but other books do it better.

[Lydia Roman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful children's book. I look forward to sharing it with my son

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet book about identity.

[Cat Fithian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read-aloud for the concept of self-awareness, self-understanding. Very deep and meaningful. Beautifully illustrated. May be too abstract for intended audience 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Miss Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

In simple prose a child details all the facets of its life and being. Preschool and up

[Golden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to her sing it on Spotify while looking at the kids book. It was sweet, with simple pretty pictures.

[Holli · Rating 4 out of 5]

". . . but this is not all of who I am
underneath this is something more
all of these things are just what's showing
underneath all
that I know
is the Knowing."

[Rolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Generationally, I am 100% of the age that as soon as I knew Ani DiFranco wrote a children's book, I was getting it to read to my kids.

[Evalynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was a bit too nebulous for me and not very memorable.

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. So philosophical but also simple. Very line had me thinking and the illustrations added to that depth and meaning.

[Rachel Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful painted illustrations with an equally beautiful message of connection, identity, and belonging. I would love to read this to my own children someday.

[Danica is Booked · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved certain aspects of this one, but it didn't fully click for me. I liked the illustrations though, and would like to read more by the author.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A one of a kind book with accompanying song that provides a beautiful multimodal experience for young children to remind them they are special and unique.