Review by Booklist Review
Ages 3^-6. The Sesame Street song that celebrates the oneness of us all is effectively captured in picture-book form. A multicultural array of singers cavorts through the pages as the lyrics unfold: "I live in southern France. / I'm from a Texas ranch. / I come from Mecca and Peru." The rhythms of the song (supplied in an accompanying CD) are reflected in the parade of children who dance across the page or otherwise portray the actions. Meisel's style is exuberant, whether he's using an expansive double-page spread or a more narrowly focused scene, all of which bloom with soft, chalky color. There's an infectious cheerfulness here that's right on target for a young audience. This will be especially attractive to children familiar with the song. ^-Denise Wilms
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A classic Sesame Street song becomes a cheerful picture book about children's universal thoughts and feelings. Throughout these pages, youngsters differentiated by race, nationality, gender or geography join hands and sing: "We all sing with the same voice,/ The same song,/ The same voice./ We all sing with the same voice,/ And we sing in harmony." In a succinct and easy-to-understand style, the lyrics go straight to the heart, addressing such themes as family ("I have sisters one two three./ In my family there's just me./ I've got one daddy./ I've got two"), pets or the expression of emotions ("Sometimes I get mad and mean./ Sometimes I feel happy./ And when I want to cry I do"). Miller and Greene's idealistic vision of inclusion and acceptance is one that readers can easily embrace. Meisel (How to Talk to Your Cat) infuses the proceedings with joyÄsmiling, vibrantly clad children and caring adults populate his sunny scenes. A CD recording of the song from 1982 is packaged with this book. Ages 3-7. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-K-With bright colors and lively lyrics, this book-and-CD set breathes new life into an old favorite. The text is a song that was originally recorded by the Sesame Street house band in 1982. The themes of understanding one another's cultures and the similarities among children all over the world lend themselves to the fresh, bold cartoon-style paintings of children singing (no Muppets in sight). The illustrations range from four to a page depicting the youngsters in their different environments-"I live in southern France./I'm from a Texas ranch./I come from Mecca and Peru"-to full double-page spreads of all the youngsters in their local dress singing together. Used with the CD, this will be especially useful for those who want to add music to their picture-book and preschool programs. The catchy recording will have children (and adults) singing long after the book has been closed.-Genevieve Ceraldi, Donnell Library Center, New York (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
As the title indicates, this book hits hard on the everybody's-the-same theme of the diversity gavotte. Children of various lands and cultures note particulars of their lives that combine, improbably but happily, into the refrain my name is you. Slightly stylized watercolors reinforce the rhymed text (the words to a Sesame Street song), also offered musically in the accompanying CD. From HORN BOOK Fall 2001, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A song, made popular on Sesame Street, now in book form with an enclosed CD. Righteous in its message, affirming that everyones the same inside despite looking different on the outside, this print version will help to substantiate the popular song. Although people may originate from various locations around the world, a point made clear in the childlike pictures, there are similarities as well as differences that should be celebrated. My name is Jack and Fred. My names Amanda Sue. Im called Kareem Abdu. My name is you. This is an expression of inclusion, where children of all races and places, abilities and facilities, and families of all kinds belong together in the circle of life. Common activities are shared, such as loving a pet or person, playing, reading, watching TV, sleeping with your teddy at night, singing by the firelight, or the full spectrum of emotions felt by every person around the globe. Readers will be enlightened and should rejoice in the important message that may be perplexing to many but seems clear to most childreneveryone loves to be loved. And when its time for bed, I like my stories read, Sweet dreams and love you said. My name is you. (Picture book 3-7)
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
