Rating: 
Summary: FUN AND EDUCATIONAL
Review: Actress jamie Lee Curtis is taking a shot at childrens books and doing quite a great job. Each page begins with the words, "I'm gonna like me", and then gives reasons why or when a child might like him or herself. The last page states, "I'm gonna like me, I already do. But enough about me, how about you?"
I completely love this book. The illustrations, like other books illustrated by Laura Cornell, are really cute and detailed. The rhymes throughout the book fit together really well.
I would use this book definitley in kindergarten classroom near the beginning of the year when a child may not be feeling very sure of him herself because they don't know everyone yet and may feel a bit insecure.
Really a good book for all children.
Rating: 
Summary: Advertisement for Healthy Self-Esteem
Review: Currently in 2nd grade, my daughter requested this book. She is able to read all of the text. When I asked her what she likes about "I'm Gonna Like Me" she told me that this book reminds her that it is okay to 'goof up'. She also mentioned that she didn't like how she looked without her front two teeth and thinks that this book might help kids feel more comfortable about tooth gaps. In addition she told me that she enjoys looking at the pictures and the sentences are fun to read.Simplistically speaking, this story is about liking yourself, regardless of failure, achievement, ability, or clothing worn. Rhythmic wording allows the explanation of situations to flow smoothly. Most of the sentences begin with "I'm Gonna Like Me", hence the title. Various situations are shared, including "the space in my mouth where two teeth used to be, ...when my answer is wrong, ...when I jump up so high, ...when I fall and get hurt, ...they pick teams and I'm chosen last, ...when I clean in a flash." Whimsical in appearance, the pictures offer a cheerful presentation that attracts children for repetitive reads. I feel it is important to mention that the font presentation varies in this publication, including cursive and modern script. Also, the presentation varies, offering curved lines and sentences split between double page layouts. Some children might struggle with this format. Regardless of the unique appearance, I feel the font and sentence presentation lends compliment to the spirit of the information provided. Overall I appreciate the story content, the whimsical illustrations, and the positive concepts portrayed. Recommended for children ages 4 - 8, this book is a splendid choice for the in-home library, preschools, and early elementary classrooms.
Rating:
Summary: Jamie Lee Curtis Has Done It Again!!!
Review: I bought this for my daughter and she loves it - I also love to read it to her. Unlike "Good Night Moon" which for some reason is a very popular children's book (I'm not sure I understand why), this book is not just childish fluff and gets to a child's level and playfully touches on their struggles. I look forward to getting more Jamie Lee's wonderful books!
Rating:
Summary: Well-Written, Well-Illustrated, Well-Intentioned, But --
Review: I looked through this book at a local bookstore and liked most of what I saw. The illustrations are lively and eye-catching; the lines are quick, easy to read, and easily remembered; and, the message is essentially a good one -- examine yourself, find your strengths, and celebrate your abilities. Kids will enjoy it, and most adults will be very comfortable with it. Now, I get to the "but" in the title of this review. Our country (probably a few others, too) is overflowing with self-esteem programs, self-esteem videotapes, self-esteem books, and catchy self-esteem sayings. They all miss the point: NO ONE CAN GIVE SOMEONE ELSE SELF-ESTEEM. Decades ago, Henry Ford said, "The only thing you can give a man without hurting him, is an opportunity." While this is an overstatement (recognition of opportunities taken and tasks achieved are also positive gifts), the sentiment has much truth to it. Books like "I'm Gonna Like Me", and related items, overdo their approaches, as unconditional and/or overly frequent positive reinforcement becomes meaningless over time. When children are praised for everything, the effects are: the child does not learn to discriminate between good and poor quality work, the child does not learn what is and is not important (when everything is made to sound important, nothing seems important), the child does not learn how to cope with negative feedback (and the world will give them that, sooner or later, no matter how protected they are), and the child learns to tune out feedback, as it's all the same. Children learn and grow by building on their strengths, and by tackling their weaker areas. Books like this, despite trying to do otherwise, teach children to be blind to their own weaknesses (we all have them) and to think they can do anything and it will be praiseworthy. The world does not operate that way. Children need four basic things from adults: nurturing (this book is a good tool), structure, challenge, and involvement. "I'm Gonna Like Me" does a good job with one of these four (nurturance), indirectly addresses involvement, and ignores the other two. If used as a part of a bigger approach, that also address structure and challenge, this book can be valuable. Alone, it will mislead.
Rating:
Summary: Bravo, Jamie Lee!
Review: I was absolutely charmed when I read this book, starting with
the title. I screw up and miss the mark more often than I wish in life, and my self-esteem stays intact (finally!) Here Jamie gets to the point and relays the often-misunderstood definition of self-esteem in a way that kids can understand: our innate worth (self-esteem) is just a fancy-schmancy term for self-love, and it is separate from the quality of our achievements, other people's opinions, criticism or praise of us, or having character defects which need improvement (a lifelong challenge for humans.) Keeping it simple is often the best approach, which is why I love to look at children's books for personal reminders. By the way, lest anyone mistake this for a psychology text, it is not. It is a children's book. Fun. Simple. Charming. A joy and a pleasure.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent for Reading Aloud Repeatedly
Review: I wish they made a companion book for the parents of the children who read this book - no, really - I am serious. Maybe the parents can simply read this along with their children and talk about the "parent" way these lessons in self esteem/self love continue to show up long after the baby teeth fall out and the teams are chosen for kick ball.
Perhaps the parents need to read this as a bedtime story for thirty consecutive days and keep a diary of how their own self esteem changes over the 30 days.
The vivid colors, the rhyming verse style of expression, the alternating boy and girl story teller (I love that it is not a "girl" book or a "boy" book. I wish there were some so-so days mixed in, too - yet that is another piece parents can weave in for their children.
Most of the scenarios are either highs or lows - and certainly relatable.
Excellent choice which can be read over and over and over and recalled when the tough moments - and moments from celebration - appear in the life of a child.
Rating:
Summary: Psychology of Reading
Review: I'm Gonna Like Me, Letting Off a Little Self-Esteem, by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell, is a great book. This book is about all the different way a person (or kid) should love themselves. This book looks at a day of two young people, a boy and a girl. It reviews all the moments throughout their day when they may not be confident or proud of themselves and tells why at those very moments they should be the most proud and confident of themselves.
I would say that the reading level of this book is about 3rd grade, because of some of the words, such as swinging, octopus, and grandma. Although I think the book would make a great read-a-loud for pre-K and up. The subject matter within the book is suitable for many developmental levels, specifically I would say k-3 would understand the message this book brings, although many adults may even be able to learn a bit form this book.
The book contains 18 pages, though they are not numbered. Also, text is not on every page. It takes about 15-20 minuets to read the book out loud. Though it does flow quickly because of the rhyming of the text.
The text in the book may be a bit confusing, because shorthand is used for one character, the boy, and longhand is use for the little girl character. The writing makes perfect sense once you start reading the book and looking at the illustrations. The illustrations within the book are colorful, whimsical, and full of life. Just from looking at the picture you can learn so much about the two characters. It takes more time just sitting and really look at all there is to look at in the pictures, than it does to just read the book.
I think this book is a divers book, and my reasons are. First, it uses a male and female character. The both receive equal showing on all pages. This shows gender equity. Second, many of the supporting characters are from different ethnic and cultural groups. Finally it also doesn't force the ideal of nuclear family, you see moms, dads, and grand parents.
This book could be use for a classroom meeting when there is an issue of teasing or even with a single student who needs a bit of a self-esteem boast. It's important in such a judgmental society that we teach out children to be Ok with themselves. I think this book does a wonderful job at looking at a serious subject in a silly way. It's been said that if you can learn to laugh at your troubles they don't seem as big. I think this book could help students laugh and learn to love themselves.
Rating:
Summary: Ten star book for all ages......
Review: It is rare that a book comes along that all children will love. I say love all children because we have wee ones who are hearing or sight impaired and its nice to see a book that these children as well as able bodied children can enjoy. For the hearing impaired child the illustration will bring the book to life. While the sight impaired child will find the words "illustrate" the book. And for the rest of us the combination is a sure winner. And its not a sappy feel good self esteem book but more along the lines of we are all human and fall down, and feel we don't fit in at times, but it is in keeping trying that is what make life work. And its a book that will appeal to boys and girls, males and females. And lest you think it is only for wee ones, its also a good book for teens, college kids, those going thru lifes many passages. Or for someone who is going thru a rough period in their lives. As a rule I avoid celebrity books like the plague, but Ms Curtis is a true talent.
Rating:
Summary: Jamie Lee Curtis just knows what children are listening for!
Review: She does it again and again and again. This is one of my favorites. A delightful romp and a painless booster of self-esteem for all the little ones!
Rating:
Summary: Jamie Lee Curtis Has Done It Again!!!
Review: Sometimes a book can teach a lesson in just the right way to a young child. As an elementary school teacher, I have found self-esteem to be the core of a capable, compassionate, confident child, and I look for books that reinforce this concept. "I'm Gonna Like Me" lets kids know that whoever they are is just fine and that doing the right thing in a situation is the best thing to do even though it might not be exactly what the child wants to do. Her delightful rhymes hold true throughout the book, and the illustrations help bring the lessons to life. Another wonderful book that I use in my classroom to complement this one is "Chelsea's New Home" where a golfish's belief in herself helps her make her dream come true. Also written in lively rhyme with great illustrations, Chelsea follows her heart to escape from an artificial pond to find a new home.
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