Book Review: *Free to Be … You and Me* by Marlo Thomas and Friends

Back-of-the-Book Blurb:  This is the book we all know and love by Marlo Thomas and her friends—brought to new life with brand new illustrations to captivate and inspire a new generation of readers on a journey of the heart.  Whether you are opening Free to Be . . . You and Me for the first time or the one hundredth time you will be engaged and transformed by this newly beautifully illustrated compilation of inspirational stories, songs, and poems.  The sentiments of thirty-five years ago are as relevant today as when this book was published.  Celebrating individuality and challenging stereotypes empowers both children and adults with the freedom to be who they want to be and to have compassion and empathy for others who may be different.

She is Too Fond of Books’ Review:  In a word – wow!  Was I ever happy when I received a copy of this updated classic book from my childhood.  The “new” Free to Be … You and Me is an oversized hardcover with all the songs, poems and stories I loved 35 years ago, updated with more colorful and contemporary illustrations.  Illustrators include Lynn Munsinger (we have several books illustrated by her), Jimmy Pickering (ditto) Christopher Myers (Caldecott Honor for his illustrations in Harlem) and patients at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, (which Marlo’s father, Danny Thomas founded in 1962).  Other contributors, from the original book, include Judy Blume, Carl Reiner, Judith Viorst, and Shel Silverstein.

The pieces in this book celebrate diversity and individuality.  They take a gentle look at racial stereotypes and gender biases, while joyfully sharing the message that we are all “free to be” whoever we want to be.  The message is as important today as it was in the 1970s.  When I first sat down to read the book with my kids (yes, all four were interested, from age 4 to age 12!), we talked about THEN and NOW, and what a historical time this is, on the eve of inaugurating our first African-American President.  Very timely and appropriate.

All my favorites are here, including:

• The title poem, Free to Be … You and Me
• William Wants a Doll, in which Grandma explains to Dad that caring for a doll will help William become a good father one day
• It’s All Right to Cry (“… Crying gets the sad out of you …”)
• The Pain and the Great One:  Judy Blume’s pair of poems about sibling rivalry
• Helping: Shel Silverstein explains the difference between helpful helping and “the kind of help we all can do without.”
• In all, about 25 poems, stories and songs; plus the musical scores for all the original songs

The intro from Marlo Thomas is addressed just to me (if the same letter appears in your copy of the book, please don’t spoil this special moment for me!).  It begins:

Dear You,

Well, hello!  How marvelous to see you (again).

If you are a grown-up who first read this book 35 years ago – and are now opening to this page, possibly with your own child snuggled on your lap – welcome back!  You look fabulous.

Well, thanks, Marlo!  You’re looking pretty good too, That Girl still has it, 35 years later!

The book includes a CD sampler with four songs from the book.  The music is as I remember it, like something out of a 70s singalong musical with an Electric Company beat; it’s a refreshing change from the rhythms of today’s popular children’s music.  Although the CD has only four songs, the scores of all the original songs are included in the book, so you (or your child) can follow along with a recorder (as I used to do!), piano, your voice, or any instrument of your choice.

I’m hoping that they’ll re-issue the full album; in the meantime I content myself with listening to these … I especially like “Parents are People” with the lines Mommies are people.  People with children.  When mommies were little they used to be girls, like some of you, but then they grew.  And now mommies are women.  Women with children, busy with children and things that they do.  There are a lot of things a lot of mommies can do.  It’s a great reminder to my current self to remember the dreams of my younger self …

Take a look at the confidence this book inspired in my then-six-year-old self:

 Yep.  That’s me in front of my grandmother’s gardening shed.  You don’t get the self-assurance to wear leopard-print pants and a fringed poncho unless you are the product of excellent self-esteem, courtesy of empowering books like Free to Be … You and Me!

Highly recommended for children of all ages! 

Did you wear out your copy of Free to Be … as a kid?  What was your favorite part?