Title: Learning to Be Oneselfl
Authors: Daniella Barbery and Mabel Moyano
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 978-1-6632-0307-6
Genre: Illustrated Children’s Book
Pages: 54
Reviewed by: Beth Adams

Read Book Review

Learning to Be Oneself is an illustrated children’s book comprised of two separate
stories, “Good Providence!” By Mabel Moyano and “Sarah and Ravi” by Daniella
Barbery. Both stories are heavily laden with illustrations by Mabel Moyano, bringing in
an artistic storyboard of images which enhance the themes of each story.

In the first story, “Good Providence!,” readers are introduced to a family in a rural farm
in Spain. The father and son of a farm often work together to bring their vegetables to
the market in town on their horse-drawn wagon, but this particular time the son is tasked
with going alone, due to his father becoming ill. “But what do I do if there is a problem?”
asked the worried youth; whereas his father says,” Ah, Peter, son, if you have a
problem, you only have to call our Good Providence, and you will be helped.”
Well, along the way it began to rain heavily, and the cart’s wheel became stuck in the mud on
the dirt road and couldn’t move. As Peter called upon “Good Providence,” he heard
nothing in reply, and waited for hours under a tree to keep from the rain. Then Peter
took some sticks and twigs, and placed them under the stuck wheel of the cart. The
cart was pulled clear, and went on to the town. Peter sold his produce at a good price,
returning home the next day and receiving praise from his parents. Now Peter was
trusted and capable to make the trip to sell the family’s produce on his own, a wonderful
example as to solving problems and achieving goals. That is the way Good Providence
works – not directly, but through you, explained the father to Peter.

In the next story, “Sarah and Ravi,” the teacher is explaining to the class the history
behind the Thanksgiving Day celebration. Having the Pilgrims starving their first year
after landing in the New World, they were shown by the Indians how to grow corn,
pumpkins, raise turkeys, and reap the harvest of what the land could provide. So, the
following autumn the Pilgrims held a feast for everyone to celebrate their good fortune.
Ravi, tells Sarah, “I am from a place called Tamil Nadu in Sri Lanka. Over there, we
celebrate Pongal.” Having a feast with family and friends is shown to readers as a
common occurrence all over the world, and although called by different names and a
different “menu,” the sentiments are the same.

These stories, are beautifully illustrated, bring very important themes and lessons to
youngsters as Learning to Be Oneself is paged. It is an ideal bedtime story. Children
will learn of their own identity, individualism and heritage, as well as being shown
respect for other cultures and individuals. We all have our abilities, culture and the
same love for family, friends and faith.

These lessons are shown by these two simply stories, between the covers of Learning
to Be Oneself. This is a book which will embellish the family library to all fortunate to
have their copy to share with their children.