Charles, T. (2020). All Because You Matter. Orchard Books.

[Katrina]

All Because You Matter by Tami Charles is a fiction story geared towards children five to eight years old. Tami reminds children of color that they matter. She lets the children know that they are important, and their parents dreamed and hoped for them. Tami reminds children that they are strong, tough, and have power. All Because You Matter shows that you should be yourself and feel good about it because you do matter.

Tami does a great job of getting her point across by using metaphors though out the book to help show children that they matter. Her illustrations are detailed showing many facial expressions and you can truly see how the characters are feeling. The Mom and Dad’s expressions in the book shows that they are at peace and happy to have their son. The son at times feels worried and at other times feels happy and confident, and the pictures show it all of these expressions.

This book is geared towards all students of color. My Hispanic and African American students can create a mirror when reading All Because You Matter. I hope when I read this book my students of color can build a strong connection with the book. I hope when I read this book to my class my Hispanic and African American students feel special, strong, and confident after reading this book. My students who are not African American or Hispanic could create a window because they would realize that some students worry that they don’t belong, or don’t matter.

Before I read All Because You Matter to my class I will remind my students that everyone is unique, and everyone was created different. I will introduce the book by telling my student this book is about a Mom who talks about how her son is very important to her, and she always dreamed of him, but she worries about her child getting bullied or feeling like they don’t matter or belong. Then I will talk about how we were all different, but we all have a purpose. As we are reading we will stop to discuss the meaning of the text and some of the metaphors throughout the book. After we are done reading I would have my student share ways that they matter. Then they will draw a picture of one of the ways they matter. Another activity I would do with my kids while reading All Because You Matter, is I would have my students come up with someone who matters to them. Then I would have my students write a note to that person telling them that they matter and are important to them. I think it is important for my students to realize everyone matters including themselves. I am hoping this activity will help my students realize that they are special. When I am done reading this book with my class I will put it in my classroom library to remind my students that they matter.