Bee Yourself. Kerry Sather. Illustrated by David Mark. Regina, SK: Your Nickel’s Worth Publishing, 2011. 32 pp., hardcover, $19.95. ISBN 978-1-894431-66-8. Preschool-grade 3 / Ages 4-8. Review by Elaine Fuhr. *** /4

excerpt:

I could be a beaver,
A strong swimmer and a wood-weaver.

I would have sleek brown fur all down my back
And my wide, flat tail would give a mighty smack.
I’d have sharp teeth for the stuff I would make
Like a dam on the river and a lodge on the lake.

Still, I would like to be someone new…

But who?

Bee would like to be anyone but himself, but the question is, “Who should he be?” He’d like to be a beautiful butterfly, but they have to migrate every year. How about a frog? Wet weather wouldn’t be a bother, but eating bugs and catching them with his tongue wouldn’t be much fun. How about a bird or a fish? There are so many choices. But somehow, while being each animal would have its positives, there are also negatives that perhaps Bee would not like so much.

     Bee Yourself is a delightful little book with lovely illustrations. Bee takes on the persona of each animal he thinks he’d like to be and finds that there are pros and cons to each. A quirky, black bug with smart little quips appears on many of the pages. While reading this story to Kindergarten children, making a game of finding the bug could add more fun. This story sends an important message to young children in a most entertaining way. Teachers could use this book for role playing during a curricular activity, and parents could share just for fun or read it to help young ones realize that being themselves is best. Young readers will love the rhyming format.

Recommended.

Elaine Fuhr, a retired teacher of elementary and middle school, lives in Alberta.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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