I Am a Story

Reviewed by: Melissa Madigan MB - Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: December 12, 2016

Review

This is a wonderful picture book about the social and cultural history of storytelling and its power to connect, teach, and inspire. It begins in "first person" narrative (in the same style as the title) with the first recorded instances of communication, in an illustrated depiction of our human ancestors gathered around a fire, and progresses through time to cave paintings, papyrus, ink and woodblocks, woven tapestries and - eventually - bound print. The story also takes a look at the various narratives throughout history, including a (Shakespearean-esque) production and discusses how stories can inspire a range of reactions and emotions. Perhaps the most poignant aspect of the story is how books were "censored, banned, and burned, but did not die," and how - no matter the circumstances - always seem to persevere. The text and sentence structure is decidedly simple (with a few longer, multisyllabic words throughout) and corresponds well to the accompanying illustrations. I would recommend this for Cream of the Crop review.

Overall Book Score: excellent