By Kaylie Seed
Juliana Perdomo’s Sometimes, All I Need Is Me is an adorable children’s book for ages 3–5 that is meant to gently teach mindfulness, resiliency, coping, and self-care. All of these skills are learned from a young age and parents and other adults can use titles like this one to show their young children that while looking to others for help is wonderful, sometimes it’s okay to do things on your own. While these lessons are meant for a younger audience, they are certainly good reminders to adults as well.
Readers will follow a young girl as she navigates the world around her. From finding home within herself when not physically at home, to learning how to enjoy one's own company when friends are not available to play, Sometimes, All I Need Is Me gives a number of examples of how to enjoy a variety of things both with others and alone.
Each page has a sentence or two describing what is going on in the picture, leaving the adult reading the book the opportunity to have the child point out different objects on the page, facial reactions, and emotions. Pages are colourful and will likely keep the child’s attention while reading this short book. Sometimes, All I Need Is Me is a lovely book that will teach young readers some important life skills.
Thank you to Candlewick Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House Canada, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.