I Am Smart, I Am Blessed, I Can Do Anything!

by Alissa Holder, Zulekha Holder-Young, Nneka Myers (Illustrator)

Based on a viral video comes the story of one boy's positive energy and how a sunny outlook can turn everything around.

It's a new day and Ayaan has woken up on the wrong side of the bed, where nothing feels quite right. What if he doesn't know the answer at school? What if he messes up? But as he sets out that morning, all it takes is a few reminders from his mom and some friends in the neighborhood to remind him that a new day is a good day because...

HE IS SMART,
HE IS BLESSED,
AND HE CAN DO ANYTHING!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, School, African American, Self Esteem, Emotion, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published December 29, 2020

Reviews

[Moonkiszt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Featured in grandma reads session.

A mother and her boy start this book off acknowledging his doubts about the day ahead, and the way they get through such days: with affirmations. They repeat together the phrase that is the title of this book: I am Smart, I am Blessed, I Can Do Anything!. At each point in his day where doubt creeps in, he uses this tool with which his mother has provided him. He feels better and we are left with full confidence in his ability to get through the day happily.

Another tool in the toolbox of my listeners! Thank you, Alissa Holder & Zulekha Holder-Young for the encouraging words, and Nneka Myers for the bright, happy illustrations.

[Lovee Lonii · Rating 4 out of 5]

*listened with Hendrix*

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

With digital illustrations created through Adobe Photoshop, this picture book is positively affirming for any young reader. As happens for everyone at one point or another, Ayaan wakes up one morning and feels a vague sense of unease. It isn't clear precisely what the problem is, but when he talks with his mother, he expresses feeling insecure about not having the right answers at school, a fear that many youngsters share. His mother provides reassurance about how smart he is, and then as they head to school, various friends and neighbors greet him, prompting his mother to proclaim how blessed he is. As they near the school building, the young boy needs to tie his shoes, which he does successfully, again prompting a positive message about his ability to do just about anything. He repeats the mantra in his head and then out loud: "I AM SMART! I AM BLESSED! I CAN DO ANYTHING!" and then he bursts through the classroom door, full of confidence and ready to prove just that. There are many youngsters who could benefit from hearing this book read aloud and having these positive assertions implanted in their heads rather than those negative tapes and messages that bombard them.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastic book to read with a kid at home, school, or in the library. I am hoping to read it at a summer storytime, before the littlies start school. It would also be great for kids already in preschool, Kindergarten, or grade 1. I think there are many kids in this age group who struggle like Ayaan does with feeling like he is not as smart as his peers. It's a great prompt for families to do more confidence building in this area by repeating the mantra Ayaan's mother teaches him along their walk to school. Best of all, it's short enough and the illustrations are bright and engaging, making this a fantastic book to read aloud to a group (or a solo kid) without losing their attention. Bright, engaging illustrations, and it ends on a fun note that could be followed with some exuberant dancing/singing/rhyming reiterating that they can do anything and they're gonna have fun with it.

[1stLady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this book! It is definitely an inspiration to the young and young at heart to daily affirm themselves with truth. It is so important to build up our youth as well as ourselves so when hard times come, affirmations are there to help push through. Also, the illustrations in this book are amazing. The images encompass a diverse neighborhood and classroom. Affirming myself and my day is a habit I am working to develop and maintain. I am smart. I am blessed. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength! I would strongly recommend this to any parent/guardian of toddlers up to elementary-aged children.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This adorably illustrated book shows the power of positive affirmations. A little boy, Aayan, is feeling worried about his day. His mom reminds him of the positive affirmations they say - "I am smart, I am blessed, I can do anything!" After going about his early morning routine and repeating some of these positive affirmations, Aayan feels much better, and ready to tackle school.
Great for kids who need positive, affirming messages in their lives.

[Nike Isiba · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for little black boys who are striving to become civilized, productive, and respectful men in society. This will help children that are being bullied in school , playing ground and any public place. This book will help their self esteem and help them to walk with head held high. This book will boost the moral esteem of the young ones, such a good book, I will preferred this book to children before going to schoeo.

[Annamarie Carlson (she, her)]

Ayaan is extra nervous this morning. He just doesn't feel like things are going to go his way--what if he messes up? His mom and their friends from the neighborhood remind him that he is smart, blessed, and can do anything! An adorable, motivational story with bright, friendly illustrations (the illustrator also designed Bedtime Bonnet).

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a school day, and Ayaan is worried about school. what if he doesn't know the answers? His mom reminds him of their mantra-what they say every day. I am smart, I am blessed, I Can Do Anything! He pets a dog and talks to several neighbors and his friend in his class. By the time he gets to school he feels more confident, and he repeats his mantra. Very nice

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little boy is nervous about going to school but with his mom by his side and their special mantra that helps him remember who he is and what he's capable of, he finds the courage and positivity to make it a great day. I love the simple message of how we can comfort and empower our kids to face hard things.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Encouraging story to share as a family. This mom encourages Ayaan on a morning when he is nervous about going to school. She emphasizes each portion - smart, bless, do anything - separately as face the morning and head for school.
The illustrations capture the mood and offer encouraging details to match the text.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son will start Pre-K in August and I can’t imagine what his experiences will be like. He is already 55 lbs, half my height, and wears a size 12 toddler shoe. So he towers over his other younger cousins. We will definitely complete daily affirmations to help build confidence in himself, so that he can help lift up other people.

[Cherish Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

(5☆ Would recommend & would read again)
Cute book. It has a great storyline that kids can relate with. The pictures are colorful & engaging. Repetition & rhyme are encompassed in the book, which is great for learning. I really like how the book shows all different types of cultures throughout the pictures.

[michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read to ages 2-5 year olds.
I love how Ion and the young boy experienced many of the feelings that toddlers feel when they first go to school. This book shows positive and encouraging affirmation.
I chose this book because it uses positive language, and I loved how Ion was made to repeat the positive words.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young boy is not looking forward to school because he's worried he'll give the wrong answer. His mother gives him this mantra (the title) to help him with his confidence. Great illustrations. Natural representation of African Americans.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so cute! The storyline of the book was to empower the kids that may not be feeling their best. It opens the reader's eyes to just how great they are even when they do not always feel it. This book can be a great example of a door, window, and mirror!

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I live that the pictures show different ethnicities and/or relationships without comment, in effect to show that this is normal.

Reading aloud with 6-year old, got him to shout the words as well. he needs every confidence.

[Jaron Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book helped students with affirmations and being confident in yourself. This book would be good for helping students keep a good mindset and be a good confidence booster for students who don't have a lot of faith in themselves.

[Elizabeth]

The video of him reciting his affirmations is cuter than the book.

[Yapha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to the power of affirmations for early elementary school students.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Angelita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for first days of school, especially children who are will be entering the learning environment for the first time.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable book!

[Troy Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a nice message. Students sometimes need to be told that they can do it!

[Book Buying With Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really sweet self-esteem book for lower elementary. Great rep throughout.

[amma.keep.reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words of affirmation should start from birth.

P. S. #representationmatters

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet!

[Briana Burdine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to boost childrens self esteem

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loving the diversity in this book! I especially loved seeing the lesbian couple. Great illustrations with a wonderful story about being confident.

[Kyrie Shavers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kyrie was pretty excited with the cover of this book- he said the character looked just like him:)