Me: A Compendium by Wee Society

Inventive, hilarious and joyously colorful, this fill-in journal was designed to help kids capture nearly everything that’s uniquely rad about them. With design-savvy, yet completely kid-friendly illustrations, they’re asked to draw or write about a bunch of interesting things — like what their hair looks like, what their band name would be, what they’d bring to outer space, and how they feel about lightning, lizards and pickles. Whether kids complete their entire compendium on a rainy day, or finish it over a year, it’ll become a treasure to look back on and smile.

First, this book is the perfect size for kids. Not so large and unwieldy to manage and not so long that one never actually completes the whole book. And not too short that you whip through it in one sitting. I was not expecting a dust jacket (always a plus for added protection). Love the bold and graphic image on the cover! What makes the dust jacket particularly fun is that it offers a place for a child to record some "secrets." The interior of the jacket is actually a very slick surface so will most likely require permanent marker to work (in which case I highly recommend adult assistance for that portion).

Each page has one thing to record. I love the simplicity of the design--very large printing and large graphic image but lots of color. I can imagine an elementary child completing this on their own or a younger child could dictate their answers to a parent to record. There are place for drawing pictures as a response. Some pages include facts like your birthdate or your current friends. Some are more imaginative such as sharing what type of dinosaur you want to be. Children can complete the pages in any order and when it's all done, they will have a marvelous keepsake. This is definitely a book you will treasure!

I can see this being a fabulous way to encourage reluctant writers. We all know that writing is infinitely more fun on bright and whimsical pages! It could also be a very helpful way to draw out a more reserved child--providing a glimpse into the depths of their heart and mind. It could even be a helpful tool for those dealing with children who have been through traumatic events. In a world with so much focus on screens and programmed activities, Me: A Compendium offers a rare treat for some good old fashioned open-ended fun. As the book says, the only things you need to complete the book are "Ideas, a way to put those ideas into this book, and someone to share it with."

I recived this book for free from Blogging for books. My review and opinions are 100% my own.