Books & Poems & Thoughts

Translated by Ana Margarita Grillo

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(companion book written with my son Donovan)

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Book Details

NOT TO BE ME is a children's poetry, diversity, and imagination picture book written when the author was nine years old in fourth grade. A child's wandering imagination about future and everyday things is illustrated by several different artists in each set of paired poems.
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NOT TO BE ME is also a celebration of artistic and cultural diversity. Readers are treated to a new artistic style with every turn of the page by artists and characters representing diverse groups of people. It also adds to the limited selection of bilingual books for kids, with both English and Spanish translation for dual language learning.
NOT TO BE ME is full of entertaining pictures that make you giggle and think out loud. Silly elements are included in the artwork to match the humor of the paired poems. Readers will enjoy pointing out the nonsense. It enlivens the imagination of children young and older, and invites adults to share their own childhood memories while reading the book aloud.
NOT TO BE ME offers bonus material inside the book and online, including a list of high frequency site words, Spanish words, and activity sheets that help make reading fun for children, teachers, and parents.

"Oh, my goodness this is beautiful. I need you to publish this so I can use it in my classroom. I love the illustrations. I love the poetry. I've already created a Si Yo Fuera lesson in my head."

Carolina B., Elementary Spanish Teacher

"The pictures are incredible and definitely captures my attention. I love the idea of putting the section 'Your Turn' in the book. The story itself is awesome and I enjoyed reading. There were times when the wording was funny but you were in 4th grade so that makes sense."

Ryan M., Father of three youngsters

"This is so fun! I love that it's a version of something you wrote when you were 9! And that it's a collaboration using illustrations by multiple young artists! (I don't recall seeing that before.) And that there's a place for the reader to take a turn! And that you use rhyme but also mix it up occasionally like with the part with the floor! And that's it's bilingual! And that you are teaching sight words! Thank you for giving me a sneak peek!"

Naomi C., Public Librarian

"I think it's a great read! I love it! I think kids will enjoy reading it. The illustrations are beautiful."

Patrenia T., Elementary Reading Specialist

(I know they're in the garage somewhere!)

Some of my thoughts on a lot of things...