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You Matter
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They All Saw a Cat meets The Important Book in this sensitive and impactful picture book about seeing the world from different points of view by Caldecott and Coretta Scott King Honoree Christian Robinson.
In this full, bright, and beautiful picture book, many different perspectives around the world are deftly and empathetically explored—from a pair of bird-watchers to the ...more
In this full, bright, and beautiful picture book, many different perspectives around the world are deftly and empathetically explored—from a pair of bird-watchers to the ...more
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Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
June 2nd 2020
by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
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I am always searching for picture books for my school library and to read aloud for #classroombookday that will show students that they matter. The kinds of books that affirm their existence, validate their beings, and support their lived experiences. Books that remind kids that we believe in them and support them, and that even though they are little, the space they take up is theirs to make a difference with. And to know who they are, what they believe, how they want to be - it all matters.
Chr ...more
Chr ...more

I met Christian Robinson in 2016 when he toured the U.S. with Matt de la Peña for Last Stop on Market Street, their picture book that had recently won the Newbery Medal. As he autographed my copy of the book, I asked Christian Robinson if he had considered writing as well as illustrating. From a young age, artwork was the way he best connected with story, he told me; writing a book was a definite goal, but he felt he needed to refine his style before becoming a published author. Four years later
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When was it decided that most modern picture books will now be inspirational tracts written by Stuart Smalley? Whatever happened to embedding such sentiments in a humorous story about interesting characters?
I did get a chuckle out of the unexpected (view spoiler) ...more
I did get a chuckle out of the unexpected (view spoiler) ...more

A splendacious book! The message is that we all matter - no matter who we are. Amazing multicultural illustrations only enhance the simple text with the strong message that everything/one from microbes only seen in a microscope to the elderly man in the park all matter.
"Old and young....more
The first to go and the last.
The stuff too small to see.
You matter."

Christian Robinson continues to amaze with his spirited and bright focus on life and the human connection. We ALL matter! This picture book should be added to everyone's collection -- for young and old alike.
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I meant to review this one because it was on my To Read list, but now I cannot remember a thing about it even though I read it just four days ago. Even reading Rod's review didn't really jog my memory. That is not a good sign, but I probably didn't hate it either.
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3.5 stars, it's Christian Robinson; the illustrations are beautiful. What makes this one unique is the inspirational message is for all creatures; human, furry or otherwise. #youmatter
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Master picture book author and illustrator Robinson returns with a book just right for our pandemic situation. The book moves in a complete circle, beginning and ending with the same phrases. It starts with the importance of things that are too small to see with the naked eye. The book expresses that you matter whether you are first or last, go with the flow or go your own way. You matter if you fall down, if others are too busy to help, or even if you have to start all over again. You matter if
...more

"For anyone who isn't sure if they matter.
You do."
You Matter is Christian Robinson's anthem to the world. Small? You matter. Large? You matter. Old? You matter. Young? You matter. Pesky? You matter. Even gassy? You matter.
All of us don't always hear this. Christian Robinson reminds us of this truth.
Here he is, when I met him at the Texas Library Association Conference:

He's just as nice in person as he is on the page.
And here he is, reading the book to you. This is a lovely way to see and hear ...more

We watched Christian Robinson read this on PBS Kids, and he shared that he created this book because he wants every kid to know they matter, and he did. With scarce yet lyrical text and his signature illustrations, Christian Robinson shows that no matter what, you matter.

Christian Robinson's illustrations are really so special. He did a series of videos during the pandemic called Making Space and they are so incredibly good!!! I want to watch him make art all day!
This book is a beautiful and thoughtful picture book to help kids realize that they matter—to you, to the world—no matter how big or small, fast or slow they are. It's sweet but also a little silly! I laughed when I got to the page about the sun being a little gassy, but that's truly my favorite kind o ...more
This book is a beautiful and thoughtful picture book to help kids realize that they matter—to you, to the world—no matter how big or small, fast or slow they are. It's sweet but also a little silly! I laughed when I got to the page about the sun being a little gassy, but that's truly my favorite kind o ...more

Aug 17, 2020
June
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Affirmation requests
Recommended to June by:
Edward Sullivan
Shelves:
picture-book,
perspective
More of a 3.5, but I might like the real book better than the ebook. The affirmative message is simple, but universally portrayed.

I love Christian Robinson's books (and his videos). This is a beautiful book in theme, art and execution. The dedication page says "For anyone who isn't sure if they matter. You do."It is a serious topic but it is treated lightly and even with a bit of humor. The line "when everyone thinks you're a pest" is illustrated with a large picture of a mosquito! "If you fall down" is illustrated with a comet. By the end of the book the illustrations focus on children.It would make a beautiful gift book
...more

Word of encouragement hit at just the right time in this celebration of self-worth.
The title already says it all—you matter. Hitting examples out of life, which illustrate how small or slow or first or old things can be in everyday life, the message then rings clear that none of that is important because you matter. The scenes are mostly taken from nature and outdoor activities and range from dinosaurs to space travel to a quite day in the park.
There's no way to ignore the message when reading t ...more
The title already says it all—you matter. Hitting examples out of life, which illustrate how small or slow or first or old things can be in everyday life, the message then rings clear that none of that is important because you matter. The scenes are mostly taken from nature and outdoor activities and range from dinosaurs to space travel to a quite day in the park.
There's no way to ignore the message when reading t ...more

This is a picture book with a message that will appeal to adults as it addresses the question of who matters - such a hot topic right now. I think some kids might get the message but it's a bit abstract and deep for young ones. The illustrations are great.
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This is lovely. I always love Robinson's illustrations, and the text of this book is just as wonderful. I like that he didn't go the typical "you matter" route, instead taking the reader through evolution "from the smallest things too small to see" to a mosquito biting a T-Rex's tail to a meteor hurtling towards earth and eventually to modern kids.
I have to admit my first read was too quick to really pick up on what he's doing, but subsequent reads with my kiddos have allowed me to really appre ...more
I have to admit my first read was too quick to really pick up on what he's doing, but subsequent reads with my kiddos have allowed me to really appre ...more

Lovely case covering. Beautiful end pages. Using acrylic paint and collage, Robinson’s illustrations draw the reader in, and his words share the most important message our young people need to hear right now: YOU MATTER.
This book made my heart happy, and I also enjoyed a giggle on the pages with the dinosaur scenes (and the word “gassy.”) Highly recommend!
This book made my heart happy, and I also enjoyed a giggle on the pages with the dinosaur scenes (and the word “gassy.”) Highly recommend!

This is the newest book by Christian Robinson an author/illustrator who has yet to create a book I don't absolutely adore. Whimsical, subtle, and so full of heart, YOU MATTER is a message to all children that they matter. Absolutely one of the best books of 2020 so far.
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This is a lovely picture book with simple but lyrical text. The illustrations are the winning element, conveying a diverse and accepting range of young lives with the recurring refrain "You matter".
Colorful and appealing. ...more
Colorful and appealing. ...more

Beautiful book to remind everyone that they matter.
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Christian Robinson is an American illustrator of children's books and an animator. He is based in Sacramento, California and has worked with The Sesame Street Workshop and Pixar Animation Studios. He graduated from the California Institute of the Arts.
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