Whoever You Are Book Summary

 

Whoever You Are by Mem Fox













1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Fox, M.. (2017). WHOEVER YOU ARE. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

 ISBN: 978-1-32889-581-3


2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Children from around the world are shown in everyday situations to show the reader that even though we look and talk differently, we are the same. Even when we grow up and become different people, we all feel the same feelings. 


3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The characters represent many different cultures and nationalities of the world. They are shown in a variety of everyday activities that children would be engaged in when reading this book. While no specific culture/nationality is named, it is apparent that there are multiple depicted. Fox mentions they may have different skin, homes, etc. 

On some pages, there is the world with many different children around it. There are also differing landscapes on other pages. There is a rounded horizon behind kids on many pages to represent the Earth in their region. 

There are different religions, foods, and activities. But they feel the same feelings of love, joy, pain, sorrow. The tone is one of inclusivity and acceptance of all cultures and nationalities. Globally seeing others will open readers’ perspectives into other cultures. 

This story by Mem Fox has a simple message: “We are all different, we are all the same.” Younger readers will identify with the kids on each page as they share similar experiences. The illustrations are vibrant, and I love the many hues of skin throughout the pages. The repetition of words and phrases makes it easy for even the youngest of readers to appreciate our similarities and differences. This book is timeless with its message of acceptance. 


4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

  • Book Links, 03/01/04

  • Booklist, 10/01/97

  • Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, 02/01/98

  • Elementary School Library Collection, 06/01/00

  • Five Owls, 11/01/97

  • Kirkus Reviews, 09/15/97

  • L.A. Recommended Foreign Language, 02/01/99

  • Publishers Weekly, 11/03/97

  • School Library Journal, 10/01/97

Full-Text Reviews
Booklist (Vol. 94, No. 3 (October 1, 1997))

Ages 5-8. A lyrical text counsels children, "Little one, whoever you are, wherever you are, there are little ones just like you all over the world." Despite differences, the hearts, smiles, and tears of these other children are "just like yours." On the first page, the vibrant oil-on-gessoed-paper illustrations portray four children with different skin, eye, and hair colors but with remarkably similar facial structure. Accompanied by an adult, this group appears in miniature on almost every spread, floating through the air as they view people in a variety of traditional, almost stereotypical settings. On the last double-page spread, the children are reunited with their mothers, who, even as adults, have a resemblance that reminds readers that grown-ups, too, are the same in their humanity. First-time illustrator Staub fills the interestingly bordered pictures with images that have plenty of child appeal, and Fox's passion to diversity will make this especially suitable for classrooms.


  • 5. CONNECTIONS

Loh-Hagan, V. (2023). THE UNITED STATES: A MELTING POT. Cherry Lake Press. ISBN: 978-1-66890-930-0

Warren, A. (2019). WE ALL COME FROM DIFFERENT CULTURES. Margaret Ferguson Books/Holiday House. ISBN: 978-1-71378-557-6 

Activities:

Students choose a culture to share with the class.

Students paint a picture of a part of the world using vibrant colors.


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