I Like This, You Like That

March 15, 2022
Preschool-Grade 1 Playing side by side, indoors and outdoors, a girl and a boy list what they like and find few areas of agreement. "'I like shaggy dogs. Do you?' 'No, they make me sneeze--ACHOOOO!' 'I like cold days.' 'I like hot.' 'I like spiders.' 'I do NOT.'" Although both enjoy pizza, he teases her by taking three of the four slices, mischievously saying, "I like it more" before giving one back. In the end, they cordially agree to differ, interposing short sentences, then saying the last line together: "'We're opposites!' 'You're right--we are.' 'Like big and small.' 'Like near and far.' 'But even when we disagree . . . I like you and you like me." Few picture-book authors have Ashman's gift for writing rhymed verse with a natural cadence and an easygoing style. Appearing in speech balloons, the children's comments reflect individual preferences rather than gender stereotyping. Coy's bright, buoyant illustrations, created with watercolors, aquarelle crayons, and colored pencils, capture the many moods of children at play. A fun read-aloud choice that's sure to bring responses at storytime.

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Starred review from April 1, 2022

PreS-Gr 1-In singsong, take-turn narration, two children explore the many opposite qualities they notice between them. Their comments range from mundane observations ("I like rockets./ I like trains./ I like tractors./ I like cranes.") to deeper disagreements ("I like cold days./ I like hot./ I like spiders./ I do NOT."). The immediacy of the continuing dialogue is enhanced by the text's placement in speech bubbles; at the start of the book, multiple colors distinguish the two speakers, but the hues later match in key moments when the children begin to see eye to eye. Ashman's writing keeps focus on personality traits and preferences, avoiding mention of physical differences (Coy depicts the two friends as a dark-skinned boy and a light-skinned girl). This choice honors the truth of young children, for whom a favorite food or game is far more likely to serve as a point of contention than race or gender. Ultimately, the two playmates decide to accept their differences, prioritizing the simple foundation of their friendship: "I like you, and you like me." Coy's lush, soft-textured illustrations, an even mix of vignettes and full bleeds in watercolor, aquarelle crayons, and colored pencils, surround the young companions with the verdant tones of nature as their play moves from outdoors (in sweeping parks and meadows) to indoors (where rooms are adorned with flowers and potted plants) and back again. VERDICT This quietly beautiful celebration of childhood will appeal to a wide range of young readers and may inspire dialogue about constructive disagreement and respecting differences.-Jonah Dragan

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