Early Reader Review: You Are Not Alone by the Alphabet Rockers

Source: From Sourcebooks Early Reads program in exchange for an honest review. 

You Are Not Alone by the Alphabet Rockers

Publisher: Sourcebooks Explore
Publication Date:  January 11, 2021

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

From the Grammy award-nominated hip-hop group Alphabet Rockers comes an empowering picture book that invites kids to to love themselves, stand up to hate, and foster inclusivity among their peers!

When I say something is unfair to me, but it's fair for you, what does that make it?

When I meditate, it all gets clear.

And if you listen, you will really hear.

I am not alone. I am enough.

It can be scary to feel like you're all on your own, especially in the face of prejudice. But always remember: you are not alone. Inspired by the Alphabet Rockers' empowering song "Not Alone," this uplifting picture book reassures kids that they belong and encourages them to love their beautiful selves and their identities, use their voices against hate, and step up for one another and have one another's backs no matter what

Review: 

Recieved a copy for review from Sourcebooks in exchange for a review, and it was an ebook copy. This will be important in a moment. 

You Are Not Alone is a childrens book focusing on divesity and inclusivity, it is vibrant and well written and is overall a very nice book. I really enjoyed the cast of characters, talking about how they don't fit in, but how they should fit in and how it feels. I liked that emotion and feelings really too the forefront of the story along with feelings of togetherness. The images were bright and bold and really tell the story well and I like it. I think that all ages should be picking this book up and reading it.

That being said, I didn't have the best reading experience with the ebook, and this is more than likely because it was an advance copy - the two-page spreads were not the two pages that I was seeing together, so it seemed off and choppy and I was confused about who the speaker was as it progressed and I had to go back and read the pages together over again in many cases. 

I am also a little confused about the age group that the book is intended for. It looks and feels like it is a childrens book, but reads slightly older and I think that some concepts might be hard for some to grasp if they are too young.

Overall though, this was a lovely read about inclusivity and diversity and togetherness through talking about feeling alone and realizing that you are not alone, you have friends and family, and support and you are never truely alone. I think this would be a good book to add to any collection.