Wednesday, January 27, 2021

It's Me by Jeff Kubiak - Book Tour & Review + Giveaway



Join us for this tour from Jan 25 to Feb 12, 2021!

Book Details:

Book Title:  It's Me by Jeff Kubiak
CategoryMiddle-Grade Non-Fiction (Ages 8-12),  57 pages
GenreChildren's/Middle Grade, Non-fiction, own voices
PublisherEduMatch Publishing
Release date:   November 14, 2020
Content Rating:  PG. Although the book reads like a graphic novel, it does contain topics dealing with racism and other social issues.

Book Description:

It's Me is dedicated to every person who has ever felt less about who they are or want to be because of someone else’s opinion, feelings, or prejudice. Let's ditch the prejudiced labeling, and embrace our Human Race for the diversity, inclusivity, equity, and individuality we all deserve.

Buy the Book
Amazon ~ B&N ~ Bookshop

add to Goodreads

My Review
It's Me is an non-fiction children's book for older readers (8+) that includes real-life stories about a different person on each page. On these pages is someone who doesn't feel like they are enough. Not good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, capable enough, etc. It's a book that even adults will be able to relate to. 
Each person featured has something that others may have judged them for. From skin color to learning disorders, an eating disorder, and more, each person's "stigma" is brought to life with the beautiful illustrations. And what this book aims to do is showcase that each person is still a person. They are human. They have feelings. They wanted to be accepted for who they are. Their labels do not define them. Being Black does not make someone less than. Being autistic does not make someone less than. Being LGBTQ does not make someone less than. Being dyslexic, disabled, depressed... none of that makes someone less than. It's just a part of their whole overall person, and there is no reason these "labels" should make them feel like they are not good enough. 
As a kid myself, I could relate to both Isaiah and Oscar. I was a shy, quiet kid who preferred books and lacked self-esteem/confidence. It wasn't easy being made to feel like a "weirdo" or like I wasn't good enough to be friends with. It also didn't help growing up in a single parent household with a narcissistic parent. As an adult, I still have moments where I don't feel good enough. I deal with anxiety, depression, and OCD (which is something I had as a kid and didn't understand until I was officially diagnosed in my twenties). But these things don't make me who I am. They're just parts of my whole being.
As a parent, I know both of my kids can relate to some of the people featured in this book. My five year old son is on the spectrum and has been labeled autistic. My fourteen year old son has been labeled with anxiety and depression, and I know he feels like he's not good enough because kids at school ostracize him and think he's weird. But these are just labels. They shouldn't be used to define a person for who they really are.
It's Me is a powerful, emotional, relevant read, and both kids and adults alike will find it resonating with them in some way. I know, while reading this, I wanted to find each person showcased in the book and give them a hug and tell them they are good enough. They are worthy. They are loved. The are enough.
Highly recommend.
5 stars.

Meet the Author:

Jeff loves children's literature , “One Drop of Kindness” is Jeff's first published children's book. It's Me reads like a fun graphic novel, but it is entirely non fiction. Every character in the book is a real student, or educator. It is so important for us to give access, equity, inclusion, and compassion to all those we meet. "Seeing" each other and embracing our differences are jewels to life! Jeff taught for ten years as an elementary school teacher in grades 4, 5, and 6 and has seven years of administrative experience. He's always looked at education from a different lens: from someone who hated and struggled with school. Jeff vows to always do his best to help increase opportunities for all students to feel heard, noticed, celebrated, challenged and safe. Jeff works hard to push back against the old model of “Industrialized Education” and fight compliance. There is not a day that goes by that he is not looking ahead to improve teacher pedagogy, student engagement and digital access for all. Being a former world class swimmer and coach and looks at education from perspectives that others don’t. Jeff knows what it takes to fail, struggle, win and go through the daily challenges that we all face. Jeff is based in California and can be found at jeffkubiak.com, Twitter at @jeffreykubiak and https://jeffkubiak.blogspot.com/.

connect with author:  website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads

Tour Schedule:
 
Jan 25 – Splashes of Joy – book review / author interview / giveaway
Jan 26 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review / author interview / giveaway
Jan 27 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review / giveaway
Jan 28 – Rockin' Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Jan 29 – Sadie's Spotlight – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 2 – Because I said so and other adventures in Parenting –review / guest post / give
Feb 3 – Reading is My Passion – book review / giveaway
Feb 4 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 5 - Pick a Good Book - book review / guest post / giveaway
Feb 8 – Reading Authors Network – book review / giveaway
Feb 8  - Library of Clean Reads - book review / giveaway
Feb 9 – Books, Tea, Healthy Me – book review / author interview / giveaway
Feb 10 – Bound 4 Escape – book review / giveaway
Feb 11 I'd Rather Be At The Beach – book review / giveaway
Feb 12 – Ice Fairy's Treasure Chest – book review / giveaway
Feb 12 - KC Beanie Boos Collection – book review

Enter the Giveaway:

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2 comments:

  1. Thank you for the kind words. I am glad it resonated with you, I hope more people will identify with the book as well.

    ReplyDelete

Please try not to spam posts with the same comments over and over again. Authors like seeing thoughtful comments about their books, not the same old, "I like the cover" or "sounds good" comments. While that is nice, putting some real thought and effort in is appreciated. Thank you.