The Most Magnificent Me — Chitra Soundar

With vibrant, high-energy illustrations, this ode to being your true self (who else would you be?) is also an appeal to honor the individuality of all those you meet. You might be an artist, a gardener, a drummer, a tennis player, or all of the above. You might stand out or fit in, be part of the flock or a new kid on the block, be a hardworking early bird or a night owl who loves having fun. There are endless possibilities for who you can be, and this vibrant picture book, with its bold, swirling, intricate artwork and spirited verse, makes it clear you can be everything you wish. The dynamic pairing of author Chitra Soundar and illustrator Sophie Bass champions the joy of authentic selfhood but also strikes an equal plea for us to let others be themselves, too, no matter how unfamiliar they may seem—not to label them, snatch their tune, set boundaries, or tell them how to feel. For when you are anything you want to be, and I am my most magnificent self, could the “us” that results be any more fabulous?