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Dee Stafford

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2024

Must read 🏆

A beautifully taught lesson on metamorphosis and the trap of only looking at externals vs. appreciating our individual uniqueness.

Synopsis

What do butterflies, caterpillars and toddlers have in common?

This Christian picture book introduces the concept of self-acceptance through the story of a caterpillar and a butterfly (Sisters). It highlights the importance of instilling self-worth in children, especially in today's society. It also introduces the topic of sibling rivalry and acceptance of life's stages.

The young want the freedom of being older (Mia, the caterpillar) and are often unaware of the challenges that may be around the corner. Luckily, Mia has her sister Lila (The Butterfly) to watch over her.

Why Can't That Be Me? touched my heart as I read it because we have all felt and thought of ourselves as unattractive, unseen, unheard or overlooked. We've felt that the scales are not balanced in our favor, and we figured that the fault must be ours.


That is the case for Lila, who is still a caterpillar and compares herself to her older sister, Mia. She is saddened by all the differences between herself and Mia and can't seem to find anything good about herself. She dislikes the Lila she sees in the mirror.


The beautiful part comes when she gives up, spins her cocoon, and falls asleep. When she awakens, there has been such a change she does not recognize the person in the mirror. Finally she realizes that she is the beautiful vision reflected in the mirror.


The author makes Lilas's colors beautiful yet different from Mia's. This demonstrates that we don't have to be a mirror image of someone else to be beautiful. Our beauty is in being unique because God created us that way.


What I Liked


- The artwork is adorable

- The delicate and not overdone rhyming of the story

- That the topic of self-esteem is addressed with the life-cycle of a butterfly

- That the book teaches on two levels

--The science of the butterfly

--The lesson that we are all uniquely created by God

- The questions at the end of the book that helps the parent know if the child understood the concept.


What I Would Have Liked


- As a Christian picture book I would have liked more references to God.


My Recommendation


I highly recommend this book to parents or teachers who are seeking a way to work on the self-image of their child or students.


I received a free copy of Why Can't That Be Me? Via BookSirens and also purchased a copy of the Kindle Version. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Reviewed by
Dee Stafford

Hi, I'm Dee, A reader, reviewer, singer and writer. I love the opportunity to help authors and readers connect

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