Through play-like conversation, cousins Leo and Simone talk about their authentic selves and the fun of their own differences. While playing, they create seven magically fun and unique characters. Authentic Me is purposefully focused on the acceptance and the celebration of all differences. The importance is not in the diagnosis of alopecia, but how two cousins are accepting of themselves and each other, just as they are. Because, loving your own differences is the very thing that makes you authentic.
Through play-like conversation, cousins Leo and Simone talk about their authentic selves and the fun of their own differences. While playing, they create seven magically fun and unique characters. Authentic Me is purposefully focused on the acceptance and the celebration of all differences. The importance is not in the diagnosis of alopecia, but how two cousins are accepting of themselves and each other, just as they are. Because, loving your own differences is the very thing that makes you authentic.
Leo and Simone are cousins; one day as they play together, Leo gathers courage to ask why Simone does not have hair on her head. Simone explains that she has alopecia and teaches Leo what that means: that she is healthy, but does not have hair. This is one difference between her and Leo, and they go on to list other differences and realize they are unique because of these differences. Then they begin making rhymes about a world in which everyone is totally unique. The author includes a note at the end about the real-world Leo and Simone, who are indeed cousins who are different from each other but still good friends. Aldea then includes an activity page to guide the reader through creating their own unique character. Then there is a guided page to encourage the reader to ask what makes them different, and coloring pages. Finally, there are resources to learn about alopecia.
I love the concept of this book and think the characters and central message is necessary for children to read about! Leo and Simone feel like characters any reader would want to be friends with. Alopecia is something I have never seen discussed in a children's book before, which makes this book all the more valuable.
There are some issues with the book's actual writing, which is why I chose not to give it a higher rating. The word count is much higher than industry standard, which is totally fine if all of the words are necessary to the central story/message. However, this story would benefit from some editing to make it more concise and readable for young children. There are also points at which the tense switches from present to past, and several unnecessary adverbs.
Beyond these issues with the prose, this book is still certainly worth reading, and the art is fantastic. I love the activities at the end. For parents who want to talk about alopecia or other differences with children, this book is an excellent resource and enjoyable read.