About book I Want To Be Somebody New! (Beginner Books (2009)
OK, I know that this is a book that is supposed to be about liking yourself for who you are, and your friends liking you for who you are, but that is not the message that is actually being conveyed here. In fact the book really conveyed the opposite message.The book begins with Spot's so-called friends telling him/her (the book does not convey gender for Spot) and that she must move from the zoo to the circus - so much for acceptance. Deciding she is unhappy where she is in life, Spot decides to make some changes. For example, by changing into an elephant. Spot's so-called friends' response? Acceptance? No. I quote:"you're very big, you're very fat. We do not care for you like that"The story continues along this vein with the so-called friends criticizing Spot's every change and every move. This is NOT a book about acceptance, rather it is one of an individual trying to improve herself and her life, trying out new ways of being that might lead to growth. Instead of the so-called friends supporting Spot's efforts to grow and change, the two children work hard to stifle Spot's efforts and keep her in the same place the the children demanded that she be in in the first place. Rather than accepting Spot for who she is at a particular time in her life, the children work very had to undermine Spot's efforts to grow and change. Rather than honouring and supporting Spot's self-exploration, the children put in a concerted effort to push Spot back into the role that they need and want her to have, and, indeed, at the start of the story the role that they insisted Spot take on. No, this is not a story of acceptance and self-acceptance. It is one of co-dependency and the sabotage that abusers inflict on those who are working to have a better life. What a terrible message for a children's book.
This is a cute cheerful story of a spotted furry creature who tries throughout the whole book to become something other than himself. The fun use of other animals and humorous scenarios deliver an important message thats obvious by the end. The best thing you can be is you and be proud of it. The story introduces children to positive thinking and self pride. The story keeps readers interested with fun pictures and a rhythmic rhyme scheme.Learning Experience:Talk to the class about the importance of being who you are, and explain to them this concept.Have a pre made cut out of the creature from the book with die cut spots covering his body. Ask the children to tell you things they think are special or important about them. This can be taken further as well to children complementing one another. Record the answers from the children on the spots with a sharpie. Each spot can represent things that are special about the students. Discuss in the end that all the spots make him who he is and all are important.Summery For ECE 2203 This story is a lighthearted tale about a circus creature that seems to be unhappy with himself and wishes to be something else. He comes across two children who with their help he finds out the other things he may have thought would have been great to be are not so great after all. He tries to be an elephant, but hes to big to go the places he likes to play or fit in his house. He realizes being a giraffe he's to tall to talk with his friends from way up high and birds fly in his ears, He tries out being a mouse and is not happy either he's to small and wishes he could just be himself again. He decides after all he likes himself the way he is furry and with spots and just the right size.
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I want to Be Somebody New by Robert Lopshire is a beginner book that shows young children that being themselves is perfectly okay and they shouldn't wish to be anyone else. This theme is shown through a great use of picture detail, text enthusiasm and rhyme. The main character Spot goes through a transformation of different animals and finally is convinced that he is best as he is. As the author transforms there is suspense for the readers on what he will change into next which really gets children engaged. This book is great for building a good self esteem at a young age and teaching a good moral lesson to appreciate themselves for who they are.
—Mayra
