• Age: 3 to 7
• Grade: p to 2

Follow along with lovable forest creatures as they discover what a self is and what makes each of us unique.

Your self is the only self you have, and my self is not your self . . . but what is a self? Whatever it is, it’s what makes you you!

From the way you button your coat to the way you tap your toes, from the top of your head to your adorable tummy, there are so many reasons to love your self, and so many reasons to be loved. Join a group of endearing forest creatures as they bake and eat cranberry-butter-pie muffins, sing silly songs at bathtime and stop to smell the chestnut-nettle roses, all the while exploring their individuality. This joyously affirming picture book from the inimitable Esmé Shapiro encourages the youngest readers to get to know and love and be kind to their wonderful selves and the equally wonderful selves around them.

Esmé Shapiro's profile page

• Short-listed, Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award

ESMÉ SHAPIRO grew up in Laurel Canyon, California and Ontario, Canada, and is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design. Her previous picture books include Ooko, which was nominated for a Governor General's Literary Award in 2016, Alma and the Beast, the recipient of two starred reviews, among other honors, and Carol and the Pickle-Toad, which has been widely praised. Esmé also illustrated Yak and Dove by Kyo Maclear, Eliza: The Story of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton by Margaret McNamara and, most recently, A Garden of Creatures by Sheila Heti. She has exhibited at the Society of Illustrators, and her work has been featured in Taproot and Plansponsor magazines. Esmé lives in the Hudson Valley with her partner and their two dogs.

"[E]ach question and simple sentence is there to encourage dialogue and self-discovery from young readers. . . . A sublime joy." —STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews
"Shapiro envelops big ideas within this whimsically affirming exploration of individuality and selfhood. . . . A welcome, wandering contemplation of a book about being 'OURSELVES together.'" —STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly
"Celebrate and ponder the joy and power of knowing one’s self in this contemplative and encouraging tale. . . . [C]aregivers and readers will find ample discussion opportunities on subjects such as self-discovery and thoughtfulness. The conclusion celebrates the differences found among friends, and serves as an invitation to know and honor one’s self. Shapiro’s rich, mixed-media illustrations feature a muted palette and abound with details that will enthrall readers from start to finish." —School Library Journal
"[A] warm fuzzy book perfect for sharing with someone small who needs a bit of affirmation. . . . Choose My Self, Your Self for a cozy one-on-one reading session at home or in a kindergarten classroom." —CM Reviews
“Every word of the text and each picture reflects E.M. Forster’s adage to 'only connect,' but translated for children.” —Imaginary Elevators
"A delightfully strange story about how to appreciate myself, yourself and ourselves together." —Quebec Library Association