Sometimes, All I Need Is Me by Juliana Perdomo
Published by Candlewick Press on April 12, 2022
ISBN: 1536218049
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

Sometimes, All I Need Is Me by Juliana Perdomo is a beautiful, calm book of affirmation and self-love. This book celebrates togetherness alongside independence for everything the main character loves to do with someone, they are also able to do on their own.

The book touches on being home, playing, listening to music, nighttime thoughts, falling down, and hugs. The book posits that doing these things with others is wonderful, and doing them alone is equally so.

The illustrations are simple and bold, making it a great read for a younger audience or for a large group setting. The main character is a person of color, and the words and illustrations hint that they may be Latinx. The beautiful colors and setting appear almost like stamps.

Sometimes, All I Need Is Me is a great introduction to self-reliance, flexibility, and confidence. It can be used with the youngest readers, or as a discussion starter prompt for older elementary to consider what they can do in their life with others and alone to make themselves feel whole.

Recommended for ages 0 – 7.

Reviewed by Katie Drago, Children’s Librarian, Rockland Public Library, Rockland, ME