Just The Two Of Us

by Will Smith

Other authorsKadir Nelson (Illustrator)

Paperback, 2002

Status

Available

Genres

Children's Books

Collections

Children's Circulating, At Higher Works Collaborative

Publication

Scholastic Inc (2002), Edition: English Language

Description

Celebrates the dignity, integrity, and honor of being a father.

User reviews

LibraryThing member al04

The story and song by Will Smith would be identified as a poetic genre. Each page and every word is created from a song that displays the relationship between a father and son. The words rhyme and is many places sound like a rap.
The character of the father hooks the reader by starting out with the

beginning stages of the child and then watching the child grow older. The story doesn't go into much detail about either character, leaving the reader with many unknowns.

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23 more

LibraryThing member nbmars

Will Smith, musician, actor, and father, celebrates a father's love as he watches his son grow into a man, starting with the night he brought his son home from the hospital: "That night I don't think one wink I slept/ As I slipped out of my bed, to your crib I crept/ Touched your head gently, I

felt my heart melt/ 'Cause I knew I loved you/ more than life itself." Smith's humor mixes with his affection so that the text doesn't become too syrupy: "Sometimes I wonder what you're gonna be/ A general, a doctor, maybe an MC./ I wanna kiss you all the time/ But I will test that butt when you cut out of line./ Why'd you do that?" This heartwarming portrait, illustrated by the amazing Kadir Nelson, is for all ages.

Reading level: Ages 4 and up

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LibraryThing member Ed490

This story is written in the format of a poem, each line has a steady rhythm and beat and could actually be read as a rap. It hooks the reader from the beginning by effectively depicting the all-encompassing love a parent feels for their newborn baby. The story moves the reader through the

parenting experience as the child grows up, and even through a divorce. It’s a good representation of how divorce doesn’t have to be such a life altering experience, and that there can still be love throughout the whole family even if the marriage between the parents may not have worked out. It’s a great book that shows the bond between a father and son in what could possibly be considered a more “manly” form of poetry—rap, therefore introducing little boys to the world of poetry without the stereotypical resistance of that being too “girly”.

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LibraryThing member denisecase

A dad is telling this tory to his son. He expresses what he means to him, how to be a man,and about life. These are his words of encouragement, and love to his son. He is trying to pass onto him what life is about. He wants him to know how to treat people and most importantly that he will always

love him.

It was a touching book. As a mom I think alot about what I want my kids to get from being raised by me. I want them to be great women and men of character. I want them to be people that you can count on and lookup to. I think I am on the right path.

I would read other books about being a dad. I would probably read this and find a craft about dads and their children. I would also try to talk to the kids about what are some things that your dad has told you about life and how to act.

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LibraryThing member malissiaharrison

This book combines a few lines from the song "Just the two of us" and the thoughts from a father to his son. It starts when the dad brings his son home from the hospital and continues as the young boy is growing up. He shares his hopes and fears on being a father and tries to pass on some wisdom to

his son.

I thought this book would be appealing to young boys because Will Smith is the author. It is nice to see a man write about his love and dreams for his son.

One activity I would do is have the children make a collage of things they enjoy doing with their parents.

Another activity the students could do is write a short poem about their mom or dad or someone special in their lives.

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LibraryThing member shannanjones79

This is one of my favorite songs and I am so glad I found the book for it. This is a beautiful ode to a first born son from his Dad. The Dad feels unprepared for being a father and promises to be a good dad and teach him how to be a good man.

LibraryThing member mmleynek

Personal Response:
This book reminded me of the feelings that I experienced when I became a mother. Things have changed a lot but the one thing that hasn't is my love for my children and my hopes that I have for them.

Curricular Connections:
I would have my student write a letter to their mom or dad

expressing their feelings for them.

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LibraryThing member kjarthur

Many new and/or young fathers can relate to the story and know that fatherhood is a challenge. Being there for the child is most important.

Use to teach, encourage and ease anxiety of fatherhood.

LibraryThing member bscano

Use this book along with the rap song by Will Smith. The children in my school beg for this each year!

LibraryThing member Elizabeth1977

This is a heartwarming story about a father's love for his son throughout all of their trials and tribulations.

LibraryThing member llarson09

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Review: This is a realistic fiction book because the story that is told can really happen in real life. The story is about and Father and son that stick through the thick and thin and the father pledges his life to his son to love and protect him.

Media: Pencil, and oil paint

LibraryThing member annikasmith

This was a good example of poetry. It was a story, but it was actually written to be a rap. The lines had rhythm and some rhyme. The rap told of a father's experience starting from the hospital with his son. It told of life's trials and joys and overall the great love the father had for the son.

Art Media: pencil and oil paint
Appropriate Age: Primary

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LibraryThing member kathryn123

This is amazing story about a young boy and his father. It shows the love that they share between one another. No matter what happens, the father will always do anything for his son no matter what they concequences will be. If it wasnt for his father loving him, he wouldnt know how to love himself.

LibraryThing member brborsen

This is a great book and students of all ages would enjoy listening to this story. It is based off of the Will Smith song, "Just the Two of Us." It is a great story about the bond between a father and son which many students may relate to. It is also very interesting to see how it is possible to

convert a popular song into a children's story. I loved reading this book as a child and I know others would be just as engaged in this story as I was.

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LibraryThing member JudesThree

A beautifully illustrated book that captures the intensity of a father's love for a child as that child grows from baby to man.

LibraryThing member TBegum1

This book is about a father and son who spend a lot of time together and the child grows older throughout the book. The dad lets his son know that he was always be there for him no matter what happens in life. The book had nice illustrations.

LibraryThing member sandratt

This book is a bout a relationship about a boy and his dad. the boy always follow his dad behavior.
Ages 5-6
From Pierce County library

LibraryThing member iceangel456

this book is about the dreams all fathers have for their children.

LibraryThing member Raquelb

Will Smith is an extremely well known actor who is also a brilliant father. This story shows the love he shares with his first son and how dedicated he is to be a father. The book is written as poetry and keeps you interested waiting for his next line. I would recommend this book to anyone. It is

truly inspirational; he is a great example of a wonderful father. He tells us that a father son bond is never ending.

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LibraryThing member Lilith13

A wonderfully written book by Will Smith about a bond between a father and a son.

LibraryThing member mferaci

I was super excited to read this book because I really like the song Just the Two of Us by Will Smith. I imagined Smith took the idea of his song and created a book with a plot, but instead he simply took the lyrics of the song and put them on the page. Although the plot of the book left much to be

desired, the illustrations were great.

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LibraryThing member kbartholomew1

Our parents are the first people we know in love in our life. The book Just the Two of Us depicts the relationship between a father and his son. The book opens with the father holding his son for the first time, the father would die before he let harm come to his son. The emotions displayed by the

father reflects the way that most parents feel about their children. Throughout the rest of the book, the father tells the son of all the things he wants to teach him about life. The son will learn about heartbreak, the power or prayer, and how to be there for the ones that you love. The illustrations in the book are a perfect reflection of the authors thoughts. You can see the father giving the son his first hair cut and see them playing basketball with each other at different points in their life. The paragraphs are written in a song like rhythm, it's like you are rapping when you read the paragraphs. This is not a surprise, as the book is written by actor/ rapper Will Smith. A repeating line in the book is "Just the two of us, building castles in the sky. Just the two of us, you and I." This emulates a popular Will Smith song. No matter what goes on in his sons' life, he wants the son to always know that he will be there for him; just the two of them. This is a great book for a father to read to his son.

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LibraryThing member christinecaldwell

I like this book because I really like that he incorporated a song into a book and I like the song also. This was about a father bringing his new born son into this world and the bond they had through his life.
This book is for the age groups of 4-8 and I got the book at Pierce College Libraray

LibraryThing member KaylanJ

"Just the two of us" is about a little boy's relationship with his father. I think this book is perfect for a 4-5 year old that understands mostly what goes on between the child and his father. I believe the font choice was perfect for this book and the words also rhymed which can also engage the

child's attention.

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