A Child Like You

Described by the author as a love letter to the future generation, this book shows young readers that although they may be children their voice can be heard, they can make a difference. The text is written like a poem and would be great to read aloud with its clear structure and repeated refrain at the beginning of each section, ‘somewhere out there in the wide, wide world a child like you is …’

We are introduced to four children from across the globe. In the first half of the book, they are shown to be witnesses to what is happening in our world, they are watching, listening, searching and feeling. In the second half of the book, we see them acting on what they have seen, heard and felt; each of them in their own way making a difference.

The four children chosen are climate activist Greta Thunberg, Olympic swimmer, refugee and United nations ambassador Yusra Mardini, campaigner Marley Dias and spokesperson on child slavery Iqbal Masih. There is information about each of these individuals at the back of the book.

A Child Like You is a vehicle to introduce these four significant children or young people who have used their voices to highlight key issues in our world, climate and the environment, refugees, child slavery and representation. Sharing this book could lead to discussion in homes and classrooms not only about these individuals but also about other children who have made a difference and could be included, for example Malala Yousafzai.

This is an empowering book showing that each of these young people who have made a difference is, in the words of the title, ‘a child like you,’ young readers will feel they too can make their voices heard and stimulate change; they do matter.