Common Sense Media Review
By Mandie Caroll
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Inspiring book celebrates the power of one.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
I AM ONE begins with a question: How do I make a difference as just one kid? The thoughtful main character then ponders what "one" can do: one stroke to start a masterpiece, one step to start a journey, one brick pried away to start tearing down a wall, one conversation can start a friendship, one action can start a movement. The child loads bricks, flowers, and a rainbow-leaved tree into their wagon, and takes their new friend on a journey across the ocean to new shores, where new friends await. Together, they make something beautiful, something that began with just one act. The story is followed by an author's note and an activism-inspiring guided meditation.
Is It Any Good?
This timely, compelling book gently encourages young readers to engage in small (or large) actions that inspire change. A loose storyline will help keep children engaged, and they'll root for the sweet kid who sets out to make their world more just, peaceful, and beautiful. The avoidance of gender in text and pictures is strikingly inclusive, and in line with the diverse cast of characters that populate the pages. Author Susan Verde's repetitious sentence structure, which breaks midway into something more flowing and fluid, has a lovely rhythm throughout. Readers will enjoy following the connections between Peter Reynold's lively, bold-colored illustrations. Fans of the series should look for the main characters of the other books who appear as supporting characters in this one.
Some grown-ups might raise an eyebrow at the use of social and political symbols (e.g. tearing down a wall, crossing borders, a tree the color of a rainbow), but I Am One can be a useful tool to talk with young kids about current events and family values. A great read for all the little change-makers of tomorrow.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the different actions shown in I Am One. What actions seemed small or big? Have you done any of the things in this book? What kind of change did it make in your world?
The main character breaks through a brick wall. Is the wall just a wall, or does it stand in for something about real life? What else could the wall mean?
Look through the illustrations. What do you notice about the colors? The kids? The setting or place? How do the pictures tell parts of the story?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Peter H. Reynolds
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Activism , Friendship
- Book type : Non-Fiction
- Publisher : Harry N Abrams
- Publication date : September 15, 2020
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 32
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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