I'm Gonna Like Me . Letting Off a Little Self Esteem

Customer Reviews

They're Gonna Like This Book

2008-03-07
I read this book to my six year old son. It holds his attention with its detailed illustrations of children who are obviously asserting their individuality and self esteem.

So far, we have several of Jamie Lee Curtis' books and each of them has been wonderful.

I'd recommend it to anyone whose child needs a bit of encouragement in the confidence department.

Good Choice

2007-01-07
This was purchased for our grandson. He enjoys having it read to him and once again, when he can read it on his own, hopefully will continue to appreciate the intended message.

You're Gonna Like This Book!

2007-01-04
I'm Gonna Like Me is a cute, engaging and esteem building book that is a pleasure to read. The age range listed for this is 4-8, but I really think this is one of those books that is a perfect read aloud (especially given that most kids up to age 8 can't read cursive and half the text/font is cursive) for 0-6, kids older than that probably aren't going to be as engaged in the message of the book, as was the case with my kids. My 6 year old loved it, but my 8 year old didn't enjoy the story as much, though she did enjoy pouring over the pictures with her brother (and reading him the badges and stuff) after the reading and they got a good chuckle out of all the zany and vivid imagery used.

In the end, the message given is one that is necessary, especially for younger children and would make for good story time discussion with kids ages 4-6 and maybe a little older...there's nothing intrinsically wrong with you if you get an answer wrong, someone doesn't like you or you get picked last. The message is that these things don't FEEL so great, but they don't affect who you are or your worth as a person and that is a strong, positive message. I give it 4 stars, a great message that can't be stressed enough to young children...to appreciate who you are and try all the things you wan to try because even when you're wrong, you learn from it!

Great

2005-10-08
This book was a new one to me and one that I will use year after year with my class.
Kids and adults alike loved it.

I'm Gonna Like Me: Letting Off a Little Self-Esteem

2005-09-14
As a psychotherapist specializing in children, this is a lovely fun book for reinforcing self esteem and helping us accept our foibles.

My preschooler loves this book (and so do I)!

2005-06-07
Actor Jamie Lee Curtis and winsome illustrator Laura Cornell continue their successful collaboration (Today I Feel Silly, When I Was Little, et al.) with this paean to poise and self-assurance, I'm Gonna Like Me.

The duo sets out to "let off a little self-esteem" by following a seriously self-actualized (and gratifyingly quirky) boy and girl throughout their day on alternating pages. The kids take turns carrying the lines, often switching off midsentence, to describe exactly how and why "I'm gonna like me." (Girl: "I'm gonna like me / when I'm called on to stand. / I know all my letters / like the back of my hand." Boy: "I'm gonna like me / when my answer is wrong, / like thinking my ruler / was ten inches long.") The call and response continues through the action-packed day, as the kids get up, go to school, have lunch, go to a birthday party, etc., until they finally get tucked in--so no opportunity for building self-esteem gets overlooked.

Young readers will like Curtis's words and the rhythmic repetition, but it's Cornell's scribbling, reminiscent of the New Yorker's Roz Chast, that makes the book stand out. From an imagined fashion-show runway walk (love that snooty fashion press) to a hilarious lunch table spread (got to get some of that "Cup o' Lettuce" and "Pork by the Foot" for your Doris Day lunch box), Cornell fills the book with funny faces and lots of laughs (the best of which might be the girl's pet turtle working out in a cage with a treadmill, next to a book titled "Exercising Your Illegal Turtle"). (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes

Inoffensive But Ineffective 2005-05-11
This is a self-conscious book that has colorful, detailed, highly stylized illustrations covering the theme of self esteem.

It's not a bad book, nor does it offend, but it seems kind of glib. Does anyone think a child will listen to this story and be injected with self-esteem? That kids really think it's OK to be a slow runner and be chosen last? That kids are all really well-adjusted and nice, making it easy to be yourself day in and day out? It's nice fiction, but it doesn't ring true to any child past the age of 4.

Another problem I have is that half the pages are written in a cursive script. My son is 7 and a really good reader, and yet he needed help with some of the book's text.

If you're looking for something positive to read to a child who is not yet reading on his or her own, this might very well work for you. I can imagine cuddling a preschooler, who would enjoy the rhythm of the words and the colors on the pages.

Older children may just look at you with a skeptical expression.

Psychology of Reading 2005-01-20
I'm Gonna Like Me, Letting Off a Little Self-Esteem, by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell, is a great book. This book is about all the different way a person (or kid) should love themselves. This book looks at a day of two young people, a boy and a girl. It reviews all the moments throughout their day when they may not be confident or proud of themselves and tells why at those very moments they should be the most proud and confident of themselves.

I would say that the reading level of this book is about 3rd grade, because of some of the words, such as swinging, octopus, and grandma. Although I think the book would make a great read-a-loud for pre-K and up. The subject matter within the book is suitable for many developmental levels, specifically I would say k-3 would understand the message this book brings, although many adults may even be able to learn a bit form this book.
The book contains 18 pages, though they are not numbered. Also, text is not on every page. It takes about 15-20 minuets to read the book out loud. Though it does flow quickly because of the rhyming of the text.

The text in the book may be a bit confusing, because shorthand is used for one character, the boy, and longhand is use for the little girl character. The writing makes perfect sense once you start reading the book and looking at the illustrations. The illustrations within the book are colorful, whimsical, and full of life. Just from looking at the picture you can learn so much about the two characters. It takes more time just sitting and really look at all there is to look at in the pictures, than it does to just read the book.

I think this book is a divers book, and my reasons are. First, it uses a male and female character. The both receive equal showing on all pages. This shows gender equity. Second, many of the supporting characters are from different ethnic and cultural groups. Finally it also doesn't force the ideal of nuclear family, you see moms, dads, and grand parents.

This book could be use for a classroom meeting when there is an issue of teasing or even with a single student who needs a bit of a self-esteem boast. It's important in such a judgmental society that we teach out children to be Ok with themselves. I think this book does a wonderful job at looking at a serious subject in a silly way. It's been said that if you can learn to laugh at your troubles they don't seem as big. I think this book could help students laugh and learn to love themselves.

Excellent for Reading Aloud Repeatedly 2004-12-06
I wish they made a companion book for the parents of the children who read this book - no, really - I am serious. Maybe the parents can simply read this along with their children and talk about the "parent" way these lessons in self esteem/self love continue to show up long after the baby teeth fall out and the teams are chosen for kick ball.

Perhaps the parents need to read this as a bedtime story for thirty consecutive days and keep a diary of how their own self esteem changes over the 30 days.

The vivid colors, the rhyming verse style of expression, the alternating boy and girl story teller (I love that it is not a "girl" book or a "boy" book. I wish there were some so-so days mixed in, too - yet that is another piece parents can weave in for their children.
Most of the scenarios are either highs or lows - and certainly relatable.

Excellent choice which can be read over and over and over and recalled when the tough moments - and moments from celebration - appear in the life of a child.

Great read for kids with a great message 2004-10-26
this book is absolutely wonderful. the story is cute, funny, and flows nicely. the illustrations are a story unto themselves as well. this book provides quality time with your child, as you can take hours looking at the pictures and talking and laughing about them. i love this book, and would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone with children. great as a gift, too!