I AM YOU

An African humanist philosophy encourages empathy and compassion for others.

In South Africa, the word ubuntu—from the Nguni languages of isiXhosa and isiZulu—refers to a long-held belief system built on the core principle that one is a person only in relation to another person: “I am, because you are.” The text of this picture book, written in free verse, employs anaphora to elucidate the concept: “When I look into your eyes, / I see your heart. / I embrace you,” and “when I look into your eyes, / I see your beauty. / I love you,” and so on. McDonald’s bright, colorful, digital illustrations are inviting and show positive connections between children from different backgrounds who have varied life experiences: a Black, able-bodied girl dances with a Caucasian boy who uses a wheelchair; an Indian boy, a Black boy, and a White girl living on different floors of the same apartment building warmly greet each other; four children with different skin tones, one of whom wears a hearing aid, walk on a city sidewalk, all sporting matching blue shirts and sharing an exceedingly long scarf. The book does have less sunny moments: On a spread showing three girls jumping rope together while ignoring another girl, the text explains that when one hurts others, self-harm results. While the concept of ubuntu comes from South Africa, McDonald’s visuals could easily translate to any culture or locale.

An edifying, unifying picture book that’s much needed in these divisive times.