Review: I Can Do It Myself by Diane Adams and Nancy Hayashi

Title: I Can Do It Myself!
Author: Diane Adams
Illustrator: Nancy Hayashi
Reading Level: Ages 4-8
Pages: 32
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers (March 1, 2009)
Genre: Children's Book
Edition: Hardback - Many thanks to Peachtree Publishers for sending me a copy to review for Children's Book Week!



Perfect for : Personal reading, children's story time, gift book

In a nutshell: This beautifully written and illustrated book perfectly represents every little child who thinks they can do everything all by themselves! Everyone has known the little girl who has cut her own bangs, or the little boy who knows how to climb up the tree but not back down. This story explores similar activities, including things like making a peanut and butter sandwich, brushing teeth, tying shoes, painting pictures, and folding clothes. . . but reminds us that we are needed, that we provide comfort when it counts the most, and that we make bedtime special and safe. This is the perfect story to read at bedtime, or anytime!

From OC Family:


Extended Review:

Characters: Emily Pearl is a precious little girl who is embracing life to the fullest, and doing her best to do everything by herself. Mom is always there watching over her, offering to help.

Story-Line: The story reminds us just how independent little children can be, and how much parents are needed.

Illustrations: The pictures are vibrant and fun, bringing to life everyday tasks from a child's perspective. There are plenty of details to entertain children of all ages.

Readability: Each page has a sentence or two. The story flows nicely, and is wonderful to read aloud.

Overall: A great book for children of all ages and their parents! A great way to explore everyday tasks and and take time together.

From the Publisher:
Emily Pearl can do lots of things by herself. But sometimes even resourceful little girls need help.

Emily Pearl is a very big girl. She can pour her own juice. She can tie her own shoes. She can feed her goldfish. She can even curl her own hair. Whenever her mother tries to help, Emily says, “I can do it myself!”

But even a very big girl like Emily can sometimes feel a teeny bit small, especially at bedtime when dark shadows creep across the walls of her bedroom. Lucky for Emily, her mom understands and gives her a helping hand.

Young children will surely recognize themselves in Diane Adams’s delightful, rhyming story of one child’s determined quest for independence. Nancy Hayashi’s charming illustrations complement the text, colorfully capturing the chaotic ups and downs in the life of a preschooler.

About the Author: (from the publisher's site)Diane Adams is an art and writing teacher. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Redlands. She lives in California.

You can visit Diane Adams's website at: www.dianeadams.net

Nancy Hayashi has illustrated seven picture books, including Bunny Bungalow, which won a 2000 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award; Wanda's Monster, a CCBC Choice; and What Did You Do Today?, also a CCBC Choice. She lives in California.


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