Description
Told in rhyming text, Mike is a mixed-race boy, completely comfortable with his identity and his parents--and his wild, curly hair.
ISBN
1250047196 / 9781250047199
Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Feiwel & Friends (2015), 40 pages
User reviews
LibraryThing member mitsya
NOT "Mixed Up" Mike is a fun little kid who just does his fun little kid thing. Unfortunately, people do ask dumb questions and stare necessarily at him (and mixed families of all kinds)- but Mike knows it's because he's (and they're) GREAT and BEAUTIFUL. And he has some of the most awesome hair in
Taye Diggs' text has a nice rhythm for lap reads & story times. There's definitely a message to this tale, but it comes across in a cool, low-key way that's not preachy or stilted. I super love Shane Evans' illustration style- so filled with energy and joy. These guys make for a pretty phenomenal picture book team and they hit this one out of the park.
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literature. Taye Diggs' text has a nice rhythm for lap reads & story times. There's definitely a message to this tale, but it comes across in a cool, low-key way that's not preachy or stilted. I super love Shane Evans' illustration style- so filled with energy and joy. These guys make for a pretty phenomenal picture book team and they hit this one out of the park.
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LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
The young narrator of this upbeat picture-book celebrates his life as a child of mixed racial ancestry, content that he is a blend of his father and mother, just as all children are. Brushing off the curious stares of outsiders, refusing intervention when it comes to his hair, he demonstrates
Actor Taye Diggs, whose debut picture-book, Chocolate Me!, addressed the themes of childhood self-acceptance and affirmation in the face of society's racial prejudices, returns to that idea in his follow up, Mixed Me!. Here his child narrator feels pressure to explain his status as a child of mixed-race parentage, and to choose where he truly belongs. Much like its predecessor, I found that although I was in sympathy with the idea of the book, the writing itself did nothing for me, and sometimes felt rather awkward. I was a little confused at one point, moreover, because the narrative seems to be describing a child whose parents are of different races, but the artwork seems to depict parents who are African-American, but of different shades. Then I looked online, and saw some scans of the artwork, particularly the page where the narrator's parents are kissing him, and I realized that my printing reproduces the illustrations incorrectly, with a far darker tone than in the original. I know that printing variations happen, but it seems like this would be something to pay particular attention to, in a picture-book of this nature. Leaving that issue aside, I did like Shane Evans' artwork, which was colorful and energetic, matching the tone of the text.
All in all, this was a mixed bag for me (no pun intended). I liked the idea of Mixed Me!, but not so much the execution. Still, tastes vary, and some parents and children may get good use out of the book, particularly if they are confronting the issues laid out in the story.
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self-confidence and self-acceptance, concluding that he is 'just right' as he is.Actor Taye Diggs, whose debut picture-book, Chocolate Me!, addressed the themes of childhood self-acceptance and affirmation in the face of society's racial prejudices, returns to that idea in his follow up, Mixed Me!. Here his child narrator feels pressure to explain his status as a child of mixed-race parentage, and to choose where he truly belongs. Much like its predecessor, I found that although I was in sympathy with the idea of the book, the writing itself did nothing for me, and sometimes felt rather awkward. I was a little confused at one point, moreover, because the narrative seems to be describing a child whose parents are of different races, but the artwork seems to depict parents who are African-American, but of different shades. Then I looked online, and saw some scans of the artwork, particularly the page where the narrator's parents are kissing him, and I realized that my printing reproduces the illustrations incorrectly, with a far darker tone than in the original. I know that printing variations happen, but it seems like this would be something to pay particular attention to, in a picture-book of this nature. Leaving that issue aside, I did like Shane Evans' artwork, which was colorful and energetic, matching the tone of the text.
All in all, this was a mixed bag for me (no pun intended). I liked the idea of Mixed Me!, but not so much the execution. Still, tastes vary, and some parents and children may get good use out of the book, particularly if they are confronting the issues laid out in the story.
Show Less
LibraryThing member lcc59
Very cute book!
LibraryThing member campbell_m76
In this book about racial diversity, a child is born to parents of different skin colors (one light, one dark). This book celebrates how each individual is a mix of different colors and each child is mixed just right to make the perfect color.
Awards
Azia Books Diversity Award (Listed)
El día de los niños / El día de los libros (K-2 — 2016)
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Kids (Picture Books — 2015)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
40 p.; 8.84 inches