I'm Like You, You're Like Me - by Cindy Gainer

About the Book

A lively and colorful introduction to diversity for young children

Book Synopsis

"It's fun to find ways I'm like you and you're like me. It's fun to find ways we're different." In this colorful, inviting book, kids from preschool to lower elementary learn about diversity in terms they can understand: hair that's straight or curly, families with many people or few, bodies that are big or small. With its wide-ranging examples and fun, highly detailed art, I'm Like You, You're Like Me helps kids appreciate the ways they are alike and affirm their individual differences. A two-page adult section in the back provides tips and activities for parents and caregivers to reinforce the themes and lessons of the book.

Review Quotes

"The message of this purpose-driven text is loud and clear: Recognize similarities, accept differences and appreciate both. . . . A starting point for diversity discussions."-- "Kirkus Reviews"

"A perfect book to use in a classroom, nursery school, home--or anywhere there is diversity or where diversity is appreciated."--Pamela Kramer, Book Examiner, Examiner.com

"Young readers will have a great time learning how they're alike and different, from their hair to their families to where they live and more."--Lori Calabrese, National Children's Book Examiner, examiner.com

This newly illustrated version of a 1998 title assists children in learning the basic traits of tolerance and respect for others through discussions of comparing, acceptance, listening, understanding, kindness, and cooperation. The simple text lists these concepts while depicting how the children are alike and different. The illustrations provide examples of ways children can listen, cooperate, and appreciate one another. Bright, cheerful art adds clarity as it depicts children of various backgrounds playing and working together. The layout consists of spreads with text on the left and a full-page image on the right. Borders on the top and bottom relate to the children's activities on the page. Suggestions for sharing and using this book, as well as activities to reinforce the concepts, appear at the end. With the focus on kindness, respect, and tolerance, this title is an appropriate teaching tool for an early-childhood environment.-- "School Library Journal"

"Colorfully illustrated and beautifully written . . . Children of all ethnicities, family situations, shapes and sizes and abilities, including those who are physically challenged, are shown and celebrated for both their likenesses and their differences. This is an excellent book for use in the home, classroom, or church library."--Libraries Alive, a publication of the National Church Library Association

"Sensitively written [and] beautifully illustrated . . . a childhood multicultural classic."--Midwest Book Review

2012 Nautilus Silver Award winner in the Children's Book category

About the Author

Cindy Gainer has a B.F.A. with early childhood and art education certification from Seton Hill College in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and is a certified Gestalt therapist.

She is the coauthor and illustrator of the award-winning books Good Earth Art: Environmental Art for Kids (Bright Ring Publishing) and MathArts: Exploring Math through Art for 3 to 6 Year Olds (Gryphon House).

She has taught art to children from grades kindergarten through 12 in Pennsylvania schools, appeared on television, and given numerous workshops to teachers and students as an author/illustrator. Cindy was proprietor of Little Red Schoolhouse, a preschool for four- and five-year-olds, where she was actively involved in teaching young learners and fostering positive child development.

Miki Sakamoto has been drawing for as long as she can remember.

Most of her childhood was spent in her room sketching, coloring, and painting to entertain herself. Miki studied fine arts and illustration at California State University, Long Beach.

She has illustrated several early childhood books and resides in South Orange County California with her husband Kevin, her cat Jake, and her mouse Millie.