Though parents might find it difficult not to slip into Popeye voice on the title, that shouldn't carry on very long into this affirming board book. A multiethnic cast of children act out the scenarios in the bouncy rhyming couplets that touch on the various things that make everyone different ("Have I straight or curly locks? / Are there holes in my favorite socks?"). At times logical progression plays second fiddle to the rhymes ("Shall I wear a mask today? / Or pretend to float away?"), but the uplifting message that all these little things together make up a great big you is nicely delivered.

A Swiss import explores children's earliest existential queries. A little girl with Asian features looks into the mirror: "Am I me? / Or am I you? / Am I one? / Or am I two?" She is joined by a multiethnic group of young preschoolers, and the questions continue in the same rhyming format. There is an unfortunate mismatch between words and pictures that undermines this developmentally intriguing approach, likely due to translating German into rhymed English. "Do I hurt? Do I feel bad?" appears over a child whose nose is entirely missing and one with bunny ears; on the facing page, "Am I happy?" appears to refer to a (smiling) child who is floating in midair. Those families who can take advantage of it may wish to consult the original, Ich bin wie ich bin ; others should give this a miss. (Board book. 2-3)

PreS Four children explore their differences and preferences: &4;Am I thin? Or am I fat?/Am I a dog? Am I a cat?&4; On each page, two of the youngsters enact the rhyming couplets. They address physical appearance, emotional state, and various activities for play, &4;Shall I sing sweet like a bird/or be silent, not speak a word....&4; Ultimately, the message is a celebration of individuality. Short sentences make this board book appropriate for the very young, and the colorful cartoonlike illustrations are attractive. Unfortunately, the text at times feels stilted, making this title a supplemental purchase. Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ