Children’s Book Review: Starring Me and You
Starring Me and You Written and illustrated by Geneviève Côté Ages 2 and up 978-1-894786-39-3 Kids Can Press
Timid Bunny and boisterous Piggy set out to put on a play, but when the curtain is hung Bunny hides, too shy to go on stage. Piggy is shy, too, but fakes a smile, ready to perform. How can'two friends share the same feelings but act so differently? And how will such different friends put on a play they both enjoy? In Starring Me and You, Geneviève Côté’s endearing characters return to lead readers in an exploration of emotion, communication, and ultimately compromise.
Performing in a play can be daunting, and there are many ways to communicate this fear. For example, when Bunny is scared he freezes, while Piggy screams in fright. Using the middle binding of the book to physically separate her characters, Côté contrasts many other emotional responses. Kids will see familiar expressions and gestures reflected back at them, causing them to identify with one or both characters. And when Piggy and Bunny look across the divide, seeking common ground, kids will yearn for understanding, too.
While a few words, like “eager,” may need defining, Côté’s text is short and straightforward, making it just right as a read aloud that will capture and sustain the attention of very young children. It is also appropriate for beginning readers as many phrases repeat throughout the book.
Starring Me and You is a story that explores the complexities of communication and models the process of compromise – perhaps that’s why it’s no surprise that Piggy and Bunny ultimately share the stage.
Jen Bailey teaches in the Professional Writing Program at Algonquin College, Ottawa. She holds an MFA in Writing from VCFA, and writes for children and young adults.
The National Reading Campaign publishes children's book reviews under a Creative Commons License. This review is entirely free to reproduce and republish online and in print.
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