Published: 2022
Series: N/A
Author: Ciara & Russell Wilson, JaNay Brown Wood
Illustrator: Jessica Gibson
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Poetry, Inspirational, Mental Health, Self Esteem
Audience (Grade Levels): Elementary Grades K-2
Number of Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(5/5 Stars)
Goodreads Link: Why Not You?
Triggers: None
Review By: Kassidy Seary
Publisher’s Summary:
From Grammy-winning pop star Ciara and Super Bowl champion quarterback Russell Wilson comes a picture book to inspire young readers to see the value in themselves, be brave, and go after their biggest dreams!
Why not you? Amazing you! You’re a winner! You’re so strong! You are perfect and important—you and all your gifts belong! We all have big dreams! Sometimes it’s hard to imagine our big dreams coming true. But what if someone saw all the amazing and spectacular parts of us—our winning smiles, our fancy feet, our warm hearts—and asked, “Why not you?”
Whether it’s becoming a football player or a pop star or the president or a scientist: Why not you? In this picture book debut, superstars Ciara and Russell Wilson encourage readers to see themselves achieving their dreams, no matter how outrageous they may seem. It’s a lyrical celebration of self-esteem, perseverance, and daring to shoot for the stars.
Review:
The book “Why Not You” is perfect for elementary students as it serves as an invitation to children to take on challenges and celebrate themselves as they follow their dreams. This book encourages readers to think about their current and future selves while embracing and chasing after dreams and goals. The authors’ advice starts with, “Why not you?” and offers career suggestions that include “athlete, author, singer, or the captain of a crew.” The text tells children they are gifted and strong and that they need to persevere through any obstacles that stand between achieving these goals.
This brightly colored, digitally illustrated picture book is a valuable reminder that all children are special and have what it takes to achieve their dreams. In this picture book, superstars Ciara and Russell Wilson encourage readers to see themselves achieving their dreams, no matter how outrageous they may seem. It’s a lyrical celebration of self-esteem, perseverance, and daring to shoot for the stars.
Classroom & Curricular Connections:
- Social Emotional Learning (SEL): Deeply connected to building self-esteem, confidence, goal-setting, resilience, and personal determination. It provides an excellent opening for conversations on how to handle frustrating obstacles and persevere through disappointing situations.
- English Language Arts (ELA) & Career Exploration: Perfectly suited for early elementary units focused on rhythm, rhyme, and lyrical storytelling. It also acts as an introductory springboard for exploring diverse community roles and future career dreams (such as athletes, authors, or leaders).
- Extension Activity / Library Application:
- “Inner Magic” Sidewalk Chalk Activity: Inspired by the book’s final pages, have students go outside to a designated school blacktop or sidewalk area. Provide them with colored chalk and prompt them to draw capes and write out positive words, character traits, or career aspirations that describe their own “inner magic” and personal goals.
- “Why Not Me?” Classroom Dream Board: Create a vibrant library or classroom bulletin board where early elementary students can draw or paste pictures of big dreams they want to pursue, reinforcing the book’s message of daring to shoot for the stars.
- Diversity & Representation:
- The book contains wonderful, inclusive community representation. It naturally integrates main characters who are brown-skinned alongside secondary characters with a beautiful range of skin tones, hair textures, physical builds, and physical disabilities. This provides essential representation, ensuring all children see themselves as gifted, strong, and capable of pursuing grand aspirations.
Readalikes:
- I Am Enough by Grace Byers
- Dear Boy, / Dear Girl, by Paris Rosenthal and Amy Krouse Rosenthal
- The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin
