I Like, I Don't Like

I received a free copy of "I Like, I Don't Like" from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.

This attractive, simple book draws the reader's attention to the reality of children in poverty. Every page echoes the title, illustrating that familiar objects like phones, soccer balls, and rice have

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connections to child labor. Suitable for classroom use with small children, as part of a carefully planned conversation.

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This is an excellent exploration of privilege. I appreciated the art and that it was not an all white vs other race examination. This is the start to some very difficult conversations, I would caution all adults who are considering this book to read to children. Young minds grasp disparity well,

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and this is an incredibly clear portrayal of why we need to be aware of privilege in all aspects of our lives. My largest complaint is the lack of discussion tools for adults. The final two pages have some guidance on the reality of poverty, and ways to get involved, but with a topic of this gravity, I expected more.

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I received a free advanced copy of this book from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers giveaway in exchange for an honest review.

The purpose of this book is to show the contrast between the life of children in most Western cultures/countries and the life of some children in less privileged countries

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where they might have to work or do not have the luxury of play. On one hand, this book does a great job of simply and very accessibly allowing there to be an open discussion on poverty and privilege with younger children. But on the other hand, I strongly feel that this book needs to be read to/with a child or class by an adult who can put it in context and explain what the pictures are illustrating. Otherwise, I think it would be very hard for a younger child to grasp the concept on their own and understand why one child likes rice (because it’s good to eat) and why one child doesn’t (because they have to harvest it), for example. Some discussion questions or tips for reading this book with children might be helpful as well.

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This picture book is an excellent way to introduce kids to the idea that many children around the world are subjected to long, and often unsafe, hours of work. The left side of each double-page spread shows children engaged in a pleasurable activity with the phrase "I like . . ." The opposing page

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shows a child engaged in labor with a similar object. For example children playing soccer are shown opposite a child stitching together a soccer ball. The images are jolting. A small amount of information is provided in the back about organizations that advocate against child labor. Because the text is limited to "I like . . I don't like", this book will be most useful when shared by parents or in an educational setting.

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This is a book designed to provide a jumping off point to conversations around privilege, social justice, and related concepts. Adults sharing this book with children need to be prepared for conversations about what might come up with children around these topics.

The book is laid out with the left

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side showing a child of privilege with an everyday/first world item such as a phone, the right side shows a child with the same item in an opposite context- such as a child holding phone as e-waste. Or a child eating a bowl of rice and a child working in rice fields.

I hope future versions of the book include a brief guide on how to have conversations with kids about these topics. The book itself opens the door but for adults it would be helpful on how to engage in conversations about privilege with young children. There is a how to help section with suggestions on where to donate.

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I really enjoyed this children's book and think I will be able to use it as an elementary reading coach. The varying perspectives of the "I like ... I don't like ..." make the text simple but the meaning profound. On separate pages, a child is enjoying something fun such as a soccer game or popcorn

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at the movies, while the opposite sides shows a child sewing soccer balls and cooking popcorn on the streets for money. I believe this book can be used to have very engaging conversations with children about things such as poverty, child labor, and international differences. I can't wait to share it with other teachers!

After the repetitious pages, I equally enjoyed the informational paragraphs about child labor, the convention on the rights of children, and most importantly, the section, "How can I help?" I can see this being very meaningful to many readers.

Thank you, Eerdmans!

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This is an excellent book for helping children to think about other children in the world. How are the things that we are doing here affecting other children in the world. Great for discussion.

This book teaches a lesson about poverty and child labor. Children from more affluent circumstances are shown on one side of the double-page spreads, claiming they “like” objects that are fun and/or luxurious, while on the other side, the children who have to make and/or labor over those

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objects say they don’t like them.

Some examples include a kid playing with lego bricks on one side, and a kid having to cart piles of bricks on his head on the other. There are happy kids eating rice juxtaposed with kids having to plant and pick the rice. A kid on one side claims “I like playing” while on the other, a kid asks, “What is playing?”

The illustrators Alessandro Lecis and Alessandra Panzeri, who work together as “Ale + Ale,” carry the weight of the story with mixed-media illustrations.

Evaluation: This book will encourage children to look at the world from someone else’s point of view - perhaps more important now than ever, and to feel gratitude for what they have. I think it definitely would benefit to have an adult reading along with the child to explain how kids who live in impoverished countries and even in poverty in wealthier countries have limited choices and opportunities.

The author explains in her Afterword:

“More than 16 million children in the United States - 22% of all U.S. children - live below the poverty line, and many children throughout the world must work to help their families.”

Lastly, she also provides information on “How Can I Help” regarding opportunities to fight poverty both at home and abroad.

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A very simple, but powerful book. Short, easy to read sentences, paired with images that show the stark contrast of life between children who live in poverty and those without that fear. At the end is information on poverty, child rights, and what you can do to help. A definite way to broaden

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horizons and start the conversation with anyone - regardless of age. I won't lie, this moved me to tears.

Advance Review Copy

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Disclaimer: I received a free copy from the publisher.

Disparity can be an issue that is hard to explain to children. I Like, I Don't Like addresses child poverty and labor in a way that many children will understand. The text and pictures invite the reader to guess why the child doesn't like the

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activity or item.

Though it's a sad reality of our world, I'm glad this book is taking steps to start the discussion.

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While I understand the important message behind this book, I think the message would be way over kids' heads. The text is very simple, so each page would need an extensive conversation about the comparison between the pages. The illustrations were beautiful, but I would like to see more information

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within the story to help explain the message to children.

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Interesting book detailing the difference in the way Third World children live and the Industrial world. The book shows how children perceive different ideas about work and play. Brings into account the fact that some children are forced to work at slave wages. -- One loves flowers, but the other

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child hates them because he has to sell them in the street or a child loves phones while on the other side of the world, the child hates the phone. He has to take it apart and salvage all of the parts worth money. Good discussion concerning the inequality that is faced around the world. (Received as a review copy)

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the story "I like, I don't like" is a very short book where each page turn one child likes something like rice, and has an illustration to go with it. Then their is another kid who doesn't like rice with a contradicting illustration.

This book would be good to use in the classroom in order to show

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diverse backgrounds and how different people have different experiences with things. there may be things you enjoy that others dislike for very reasonable... reasons. The book also shows very subtly the issue of child labor.

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I know this is introducing inequality and very difficult topics to kids, but this just felt awful to read. I would have hated this book as a child, seeing all the sad children in circumstances I couldn't change. I think learning about how others live and our privalage is so important, but this

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contrast shown in the book seems to shame rather than educate.

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