All by Myself!: A Lively Rhyming Picture Book About Independence for Kids

by Aliki

An award-winning author celebrates childhood independence! Button, zip, scrub, rub, paint and write -these are just a few of the things independent children can do. Aliki′s fun rhyming text and lively illustrations celebrate the joys of mastering these skills, morning, noon, and night. Ages 3-6

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Family, School

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Aliki has written and illustrated many books, both fiction and nonfiction, loved by readers throughout the world. The books were inspired by a word, an experience, or the desire to find out. Aliki lives in London, England.

Reviews

[Tip Mack]

Cute book to read to your child to encourage them to be self starters

[Kenneth]

Trying to teach self-reliance is so hard. This book sets a great example on how to be independent. Daily routines and norms that should be done alone are displayed clearly. The illustrations are clear and relatable.

[Robyn Davis]

Great book to use with ELLs! It includes a lot of pictures and short, corresponding words and phrases. Great for picture-word association.

[Joecel Franco]

This book talks about a little boy who talks about all the little things he did that helps him to be more independent. These small tasks are such a big deal to him because he knew that he is now more capable of doing something more. He dressed himself, ate breakfast, does chores, all by himself. I would definitely read this book to my class to show them what a good kid does. This kind of book shows us a good illustration of it doesn’t matter whether you are still a kid, once you begin doing things on your own, you are going to feel a sense of pride.

[Robin]

BIG fan of Aliki.

[FirnMamaMakes]

My nearly 3yr old liked this so much! She liked saying she does those things too. "I feed my doggie. I had cereal for breakfast. I take bath, too."

[Veridiana Ferreira]

Read w/ my kinder students. Great reading!

[Jennifer]

My toddler loved this one.

[Jaclyn]

Really liked this one. It was a simple book but all about the little boy doing things all in his own! I thought it was a great book to read to Sophie.

[Kelsey Doll]

I enjoyed this. Shows a self-sufficient kid doing lots of different things! This kid’s executive functioning is remarkable. Nostalgic art style. Very fun!

[Miss Becky]

Little boy gets ready for the day. Gets dressed, gets breakfast ready, goes to school, etc.

[Ragan Brown]

This book goes over one days routine. The pictures are fine. The words are very, very simple, and one is strange ("close the light", instead of "turn off the light"). I like how the boy is running through his day, just like kids always happily running to the next thing.

Christian point: Obviously, it doesn't have things like prayers or scriptures in the routine.

Teaching with this Book:
Toddler, Pre-K

Self Reliance: This book shows a child doing things to take care of himself throughout the day. (Such as changing his own clothes, bathing, teeth brushing, etc.)

[Jenna's Mom]

Jenna (3) enjoyed this book about a little boy and all of the things he can do by himself. She particularly liked the back cover, where there is a chart showing a bunch of activities (brushing your teeth, getting dressed, washing your hands, etc.) and asking which ones YOU can do all by yourself. She was so excited to be able to say that she could do all of them, all by herself (well, she kind of exaggerated on the "tying your shoes" one...).

[Sarah Kasper]

This easy to read book would be great for students in the early elementary grades. This book explains many important aspects of getting up, getting ready for school, doing chores, getting ready for bed, etc. that younger students will relate to because it is something they have just started to do. The book is written in short phrases, so for students in Kindergarten and 1st grade, they will be able to read this story independently.

[Alice]

This books is a great I can get dressed all by myself! I think the pictures are great and the story is good and the back cover check list of the things I can do is fun!! There are some naked kid pictures but noting is showing... I am fine with it...but I just know some parent will say "That little boy is naked!!"

[Keegan Taylor]

I liked this one better than the other "All By Myself" book I read. It is full of verbs and it rhymes, so it's very active and very busy.

[Alice]

Independence

[DJ]

Great words and positive message - cute pictures too! A classic.

[Michelle Farella]

I think this book would work better as a lap book than for storytime

[Sarah Stumphf]

Cute little book, easy to read and my two year old enjoyed it.

[Russell]

We get it. You've got a rich and active life. Sorry your narration doesn't flow well.

[Amy]

This is a nice rhyming book that shows a day in the life of a little boy.

[Jason]

This came out awhile ago, so I don't know how many how-to-dress-yourself books there were out back then, but we don't need any more now. Or books about going to the beach, unless something weird happens.

[Mae]

Short phrases that rhyme. About a boy's day from morning to night. Funny how he says, "closes the light" like I did growing up.