From Publishers Weekly
"Raschka translates the Shaker musical paean to a simplified life into a sort of peaceable kingdom where various animals dwell together in harmony with nature," said PW. "He creates an exceedingly handsome stained glass effect with heavy black lines juxtaposed against hues as warm as a flurry of autumn leaves." Ages 3-7. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3. Fox has composed a simple refrain to celebrate human connections in this lovely picture book. "Little one, whoever you are," she explains, there are children all over the world who may look different, live in different homes and different climates, go to different schools, and speak in different tongues but all children love, smile, laugh, and cry. Their joys, pain, and blood are the same, "whoever they are, wherever they are, all over the world." Staub's oil paintings complement the simple text. She uses bright matte colors for the landscapes and portraits, placing them in gold borders, set with jewels and molded from plaster and wood. These frames enclose the single- and double-page images and echo the rhythm of the written phrases. Within the covers of the book, the artist has created an art gallery that represents in color, shape, and texture, the full range of human experience.?Barbara Kiefer, Teachers College, Columbia University, NYCopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Kirkus Reviews
A one-world, ``we-are-all-the-same-under-the-skin'' message for the very young from Fox (The Straight Line Wonder, p. 1388, etc.). ``Little one, whoever you are, wherever you are, there are little ones just like you all over the world.'' Skin color, homes, schools, lifestyles, and languages may differ (and newcomer Staub shows how, in folk-art oil paintings mounted in gilded and jeweled wooden frames), but love and laughter, pain and tears are the same for all. The faces of the little ones in Staub's paintings are as appealing as dolls', and a beatific paternal figure in a sky-blue suit printed with clouds floats through the pages with a bevy of children in his arms. An essential book that acknowledges in the simplest of terms our common humanity. (Picture book. 2-6) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Review
“[A] paean to diversity...especially suitable for classrooms.”-Booklist


Book Description
Every day all over the world, children are laughing and crying, playing and learning, eating and sleeping. They may not look the same. They may not speak the same language. Their lives may be quite different. But inside, they are all alike.



Card catalog description
Despite the differences between people around the world, there are similarities that join us together, such as pain, joy, and love.


About the Author
MEM FOX is the acclaimed author of many popular children’s books, including Harriet, You’ll Drive Me Wild! and Time for Bed. She lives in Adelaide, South Australia.

LESLIE STAUB’s paintings have been exhibited in galleries throughout the United States. She lives in New Orleans, Louisiana.

ANNOTATION

Despite the differences between people around the world, there are similarities that join us together, such as pain, joy, and love.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Every day all over the world, children are laughing and crying, playing and learning, eating and sleeping. They may not look the same. They may not speak the same language. Their lives may be quite different. But inside, they are all alike. Stirring words and bold paintings weave their way around our earth, across cultures and generations. At a time when, unfortunately, the lessons of tolerance still need to be learned, Whoever You Are urges us to accept our differences, to recognize our similarities, and-most importantly-to rejoice in both.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

"Raschka translates the Shaker musical paean to a simplified life into a sort of peaceable kingdom where various animals dwell together in harmony with nature," said PW. "He creates an exceedingly handsome stained glass effect with heavy black lines juxtaposed against hues as warm as a flurry of autumn leaves." Ages 3-7. (Sept.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Children's Literature - Dori Butler

This beautiful book features children from all over the world. They may not look like you, or speak your language, or do things the way you do them, but inside they are just like you. They smile and laugh and hurt. The simple text and bright illustrations helps readers to accept differences between people, to recognize similarities, and to rejoice in both.

Kirkus Reviews

A one-world, "we-are-all-the-same-under-the-skin" message for the very young from Fox (The Straight Line Wonder, p. 1388, etc.).

"Little one, whoever you are, wherever you are, there are little ones just like you all over the world." Skin color, homes, schools, lifestyles, and languages may differ (and newcomer Staub shows how, in folk-art oil paintings mounted in gilded and jeweled wooden frames), but love and laughter, pain and tears are the same for all. The faces of the little ones in Staub's paintings are as appealing as dolls', and a beatific paternal figure in a sky-blue suit printed with clouds floats through the pages with a bevy of children in his arms. An essential book that acknowledges in the simplest of terms our common humanity.