You Matter by Christian Robinson

 

The theme here is that everyone and everything matters. The message is communicated with simple phrases and metaphors that are boldly illustrated with a mix of acrylic paint and collage.

The text itself is sparse but meaningful: 

 

The stuff too small to see.

Those who swim with the tide

and those that don't.

The first to go and the last.

You matter.

When everyone thinks you're a pest.

When something is just out of reach.

When everyone is too busy to help.

You matter.

The illustrations are simple, bold, and reminiscent of a child's artwork, but expertly composed to bring the text meaning. The people are from a multitude of races and cultures. My favorite image is of a crowded , congested street. All the people are faceless except a young girl, wearing a hijab, and a boy in a wheelchair, both with arms up in the air, on one side of the street, and their escaped dog on the other side of the street. Sometimes you feel lost and alone. But you matter.

You'll need to look at the illustrations carefully to see all that is there and the meaning behind them. Carefully look for the connection between a series of images. Most of this will go over the heads of the intended audience, but with some explanation, the younger set will understand.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 3.5

Reading Level: 2.0 • Interest Level: K-3 • AR Points: NA • Lexile Level: AD310L • Publisher: Simon & Schuster • Pages: 40 • Copyright: 2020 • ISBN: 978-1-534-42169-1 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding