Be You, by Peter H. Reynold

This children’s picture book invites us to be brave, persistent, adventurous, patient, curious, and kind.

Both beautiful and inspiring, Be You, by Peter H. Reynolds has become my go-to children’s gift book. It is also one of my favourite books to read to my son. I like to think of it as a guide to life for little people, gently encouraging them to be the very best version of themselves.

It’s so important to me that my little man grows up with the confidence to share his unique voice with the world, and Be You shares this message. It also encourages readers and listeners to embrace some of, what I think are, the best human qualities. This children’s picture book invites us to be brave, persistent, adventurous, patient, curious, and kind. It’s the book I wish had been read to me when I was little. Even now as an adult, each time I read it I feel a renewed sense of motivation to live my best life and to embrace all that I am.

This book might not be for everyone, only because it’s a little bit quirky. For me, that’s what makes it so wonderful. The illustrations are vibrant, capturing each page’s message with charm and simplicity. For older children, the narrative is the perfect starting place for all sorts of discussions and reflection.

Be You will support children on their journey to building self-esteem, finding their sense of identity, and developing an awareness of what it means to be human. Each page could be turned into a motivational poster that has the potential to inspire both young and old. Uplifting and simply lovely, Be you is quality children’s literature and it has found a forever home on my bookshelf.