top of page

I don't care...

From an early age, kids begin to work out what they like and what they don't! Some preferences are obvious... I mean, how many children do you know who don't like ice cream?! Others less so, less generic... more unique. We encourage individuality. Its a joy and a privilege being a spectator on the sidelines, as we watch our kids' interests unfold. The same can be said for choosing friends. Kids will find themselves drawn to one friend or another. While we can't choose their friends for them (and boy, do we sometimes wish we could!), I believe we can help them discern what's important when it comes to friendships. What truly matters versus all the superficial things that have no bearing on their well-being and future.


I Don't Care is a sweet, simple story of friendship written in easy, rhyming text by Julie Fogliano. What makes it extra befitting, is that it's illustrated by two best friends, Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal. Despite the challenges associated with living far apart, they shared drawings and ideas, to come up with co-illustrations that lure the readers eye in a way that perfectly matches the underlying meaning of the text on each page. I Don't Care is a tale of a blossoming friendship that transcends differences. To begin with, two children, one who likes teal, the other yellow, identify, with nonchalance, qualities that make them different... the style of their hair, the shape of their noses, the clothes they wear, how they sing and what their lunch smells like. Initially, the tone is cool and aloof as the kids establish that what makes them different... actually does not matter. In a seamless, unravelling of the underlying message, the author (and illustrators) then steer the story in the direction of what the kids DO care about, and how those attributes are based on a genuine desire for a caring, honest and true friendship.


Title: I Don't Care

Author: Julie Fogliano

Illustrator: Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal


What's to love about this book:

  • The clever way in which the author and illustrator make it glaringly evident how different the two children look and feel at the start, and then how they seamlessly depict the transition from frenemies to friends as the story-line develops;

  • The change in tone as the children realise what they do care about and why those things matter more than some of the trivial factors at the start;

  • The rhythm of the rhyming text makes it easy to read …it’s music to the ear;

  • The illustrators specific use of both colour and blobs to marry the intent of the author and emphasize the message;

  • The way in which the author chooses relevant child-like examples to help the reader relate to the differences and shared viewpoints of the two children.

  • Adult concepts are made easy for young children to understand.


Favourite Quote:

"but I mostly care that you're you and I'm me, and I care that we're us and I care that we're we, and I care that we're always and I care that we're two, and I care that we're friends and I care that we're true."


Messages:

  • In a friendship, there are always going to be many things that make us different but we need to focus on the important attributes such as how we can make the other think, feel and act.

  • What we look like, what clothes we wear, how we sing, what we eat... none of these are important when it comes to choosing (and being) a good friend.

  • What truly matters is being a true and genuine friend.


If this is a worthwhile message you'd like to instill in your kids, here are the links* to purchase (Amazon affiliate paid link):




Comments

bottom of page