What about Me?

We always enjoy this book and its impressionistic art. The boy, Dirk, takes us on a journey of understanding and ultimately, compassion for people who earn a living and depend upon others to help them out. A great book to have in your collection to educate children about the way the world works.

I really enjoyed "What About Me?," a story book by Ed Young. The introductory note states that the tale "is rooted in the Sufi tradition" of the Middle East. The story opens, "Once there was a boy who wanted knowledge, but he did not know how to gain it." He seeks the wisdom of a Grand Master. However, the boy must go through quite a process before the Grand Master's two lessons are revealed. Young's illustrations are packed full of color and detail; his artwork is warm and often whimsical. Young has a particular talent for creating unique characters with visual art.

No one creates colorful, eye-popping collages like the very, very popular artist Ed Young. He's the winner of three Caldecott awards; "Seven Blind Mice" is an all time favorite. The cut-paper collages in his latest book are, indeed, works of art. Once again, Mr. Young returns to an ancient fable for inspiration in this story of a little boy who wanted only one thing: knowledge. `I shall see a Grand Master," he concluded. The Grand Master responded that the boy needed to bring him a small carpet for his work. When the boy located a carpetmaker, the artisan replied that he needed thread. A spinner woman cannot provide him with thread without goat hair to make the thread and the goatkeeper cannot give him goat hair without goats. All of these people say, "What about me?" Will the boy ever manage to satisfy everyone and get himself a little knowledge at the same time? There's a lot to learn from this Middle Eastern fable, and much enjoyment to be found in Mr. Young's art. - Gail Cooke