The Skin You Live In

 The Skin You Live In by Michael Tyler, illustrated by David Lee Csicsko, is a beautiful picture book written in rhyme.  It celebrates all the different things you can do in your skin.  In its simplicity, it introduces children to the commonality of the human race.  It celebrates all the wonderful things people do just by being human; resting, playing, eating, and sharing all kinds of activities and thoughts. Through the unique illustrations, all shades of children from all backgrounds and abilities are depicted.  It touches on how our skin is not made to keep us apart or make us better than one another.  The the book is a positive celebration of human kind.

I have read this book to my son, when he was a pre-schooler and kindergartener.  I wanted to prepare him for his transition from a mostly white, private pre-school to a very diverse, urban kindergarten.  I think it would be an excellent book for reading at the beginning of the school year when teachers are working on building community within the classroom.  I think students will like this book because the illustrations are unique and I think they will see themselves in the illustrations. 



The Skin You Live In read aloud