Just Like You

Are you looking for a quiet bedtime story for your children - of any age? If so, Just Like You, written by Marla Stewart Konrad and illustrated by Lin Wang, is a terrific choice.

Starting with a mother in the United States, this story shares how different cultures celebrate the birth of new babies, how some things are different - like neighbors in the Amazon bringing gifts of fish and fruit to the new family - and how some things are the same - such as the new mom counting all the fingers and toes and singing lullabies to the new baby.

Many cultures are touched on: America, Australia, the Arctic, Egypt...each giving a glimpse into how different places celebrate the arrival of a new member of the family.

What I Like: Though the story is simple, with only cultural changes for each page, as an expectant mother, the book really pulled at my heartstrings. It was hard to make it through without crying - even after multiple reads.

I really liked the fact other cultures are shown. For older children who may read this, I think it will open their eyes to how different - and how similar - people from other places are.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4 - 8, but I think the lyrical manner the book is written in will have younger children listening too.

Publisher Info: Zondervan, 2010; ISBN: 978-0-310-71478-1; Hardback $15.99

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