In You I See: A Story that Celebrates the Beauty Within

by Rachel Emily

When I look at you I see much more than meets the eye. I'm not sure how to list it all but with this book I'll try...

This picture book gently teaches us that we are all special and always more than meets the eye. With charming words written by singer-songwriter Rachel Emily -- who has penned countless number-one hits for the likes of Wretch 32, Leona Lewis and Girls Aloud -- you can't help but feel that you're reading something very special. From a brave tiger, through to a dancing river and over to the forest filled with oak trees, to rainbows that appear after the rain has gone and swooping swallows who are a welcome sight; children, and adults too, will cherish this stunning bedtime book that holds meaning for so many different reasons.

So let Rachel guide you through the natural world and explain why there is beauty in everything around you, and why YOU hold beauty within yourself too. Sometimes we all need to be reminded about self confidence, learning to love ourselves and how special we all are.

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Poetry, Childrens, Family, Love, Inspirational

32 pages, Hardcover

Published January 6, 2022

About the author

Rachel Emily Moulden is a songwriter who has written and produced UK number ones and US platinum-selling singles. In You I See is Rachel's first children's book, and she hopes that it will encourage self-esteem and inspire young people to look deeper for the hidden qualities in others.

Reviews

[Chantel · Rating 5 out of 5]

To have the ability to look around the world we know, the one familiar to us as adults, & pick out every beautiful thing we see as a gift for those who view the world differently than we do, I think is a fantastic ability & one we should seek to cultivate in all forms.

In this book, we read through several stanzas wherein the author expresses seeing the person they love in places, things & thoughts that surround them, near & far. This would be the ideal bedtime story; something to allow & encourage a child's mind to wander to the vast expanses of their imagination with the reminder that in all great things, there can be familiar love & light.

The illustrations in this book are beautiful & truly encapsulating. I think what I appreciated about them most of all was that they depict imagery as we might see in the mind's eye; not necessarily strict & crisp but, warm & with broad strokes, as though we are drawing forth an image from our recollection. I suppose we might even view these illustrations as done to demonstrate how grand & immense the world must seem to children. Everything is giant & vast but, the narrator seems to find their way through the wide world so that in everything big, tall & even sometimes small, the reader might remember that this is our world together & not apart.

I truly loved reading through this book. I am a sucker for delicate poems. Placed alongside illustrations that encourage discourse & exploration, I found this book to be an absolute delight & I am certain that it can easily find its way into being a staple in the homes & schools of many.

Thank you to NetGalley, DK Publishing, & Rachel Emily for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Lauren Gibson (rocknreader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh this book! This is such a beautiful story showing children all the beautiful things that they are and can be from our point of view. I liked all of the big comparisons to animals and the sun and moon, ocean, etc. My toddler loved the pictures that help to tell the story. The rhyming was perfect and it's a sweet ode to children to tell them how wonderful they are to us. I teared up a little reading this because the big love we have for our kids really shows in this story and they will feel that while we read it to them. I can't wait to get my copy!

Thanks to NetGalley and DK for access to this ARC!

[Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an extraordinarily beautiful book! It uses calm and gentle scenes from nature to teach kids how unique and special they are. This would make a great gift for anyone you love, no matter their age.

This unbiased review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.

[Keira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Easter present that I have thoroughly enjoyed during my mindfulness session today. My favourite page in particular being the elephant page, closely followed by the oak. The illustrations are stunning and that combined with the words actually make for quite an emotive read. Massive thanks to my lovely Mom and Dad for this one.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

so uplifting and inspiring! the illustrations are gorgeous especially the oak tree and the river 🫶💐

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

A rhyming book. I did not like the rhymes. The opening page with "in this book I'll try" I found to be so awkward. I did really enjoy the illustrations, though.

[Ellie Redman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. The illustrations were amazing and there was such good vocabulary that you could talk about as a class. This book would be perfect to read in the first week of school when the class is first starting to know each other and learn about everyone. It really emphasizes that there is so much depth to everyone and everyone is so unique. The ending is my favorite because it encourages students to take a look at everyone to see what all there is to a person.

[MookNana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be a lovely bedtime book! It's a sweet, dreamy expression of love for a child and all the wonderful things that are in them. Told in simple rhymes, there are lots of expressive words and images to capture the imagination. The illustrations are soft and absolutely gorgeous with beautiful nature themes.

This would be a wonderful baby shower or grandparent gift. It's a soothing wind-down story and could definitely become an oft-repeated favorite for little ones.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The message in this book is beautiful along with the illustrations. I think all kids and even adults can benefit from the message in this book and knowing there is more to everyone including themselves than just what you can see. It may be a bit hard of a concept for some kids to understand, especially those that are more literal. But it can lead to a meaningful conversation to help them understand it completely.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

In You I See is a beautiful and touching children's book. The illustrations and poetic descriptions capture a deep love and appreciation of who we are on the inside.

I believe every child, as well as their family members, would enjoy this breathtaking story. I would love to add it to my classroom to celebrate the uniqueness and diversity of each one of my students.

Thank you to NetGalley and DK for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

In You I See is a beautiful book! This is a great book to share with a child in your life. It talks about looking beneath the surface to see what is inside a person. It is well written and the artwork is fantastic. I love that the characters are drawn in such a way that a child can see any person in them.
An excellent book by Rachel Emily- I highly recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Susan Underbrink · Rating 3 out of 5]

A big thank you to NetGalley and DK Children for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is a children's book. I was confused by this book-although it is sweet and very pretty to look at. The concept seemed odd. I have found that most children are quite literal. If you tell them in you I see a tiger with orange and black stripes-my kids would say mom I don't have stripes! I think you could have skipped the rhyme and made it more realistic. 3 stars

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from DK Children through NetGalley.
The cover is gorgeous and the illustrations are lovely throughout. The poetic text works on most pages but is a bit stilted on a few. The concept is delightful and we need as many empowering books as possible. This could be a baby gift or a graduation gift as the sentiment expressed is important for all ages.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

"In you I see so many things ... Too many for this book. There's much to see in everyone. All you need to do is look!"

A celebration of the inner qualities of a child compared with the nature around us. Poetic.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

"When I look at you I see
Much more than meets the eye.
I'm not sure how to list it all,
But with this book I'll try..."

The narrator compares the child to a tiger...a river...a swallow...an oak tree...and to many more things in nature, emphasizing the strengths of the child.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book about seeing the best in somebody you love dearly. The illustrations are beautiful and the words flow very well throughout the pages. I'd recommend it for anybody who wants to show someone else how much they mean to them. So beautiful!

[Sareen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this!
Fabulous links to nature, simple, clear and effective text. A beautiful message, encouraging and, I know it's used a lot, but definitely heartwarming.

This would be a super present.

[Joni Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet read. I read this with my 8yo tonight at bedtime. We loved it. It was very descriptive and the illustrations are soft and beautiful.

[Daphnee · Rating 4 out of 5]

In You I See was so beautiful in words and illustrations. I would definitely buy this one for my daughter so she can learn to see the best in everything.

Thank you NetGalley for the free ebook copy.

[OjoAusana · Rating 4 out of 5]

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* very cute, simple but powerful kids book. the art work is simple but beautiful.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, poetic, lilting book about the beauty in us - how we grow, live, and find support.

[Jeanine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful watercolour images. Framed as an adult's message to a close child. Some of the ideas are lyrical but abstract.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations

[Y.Poston]

a delightful book of encouragement for any age

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book to share for years to come.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations done in soft hues. A bit too cerebral for a young child to understand.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A soft, soothing ode to the beauty in each person and nature. Good for a calming bedtime story.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely and poetic, with gorgeous illustrations. This would be a perfect bedtime story.