I Am Myself And No One Else

Original title: Je suis moi et personne d’autre

Author: Beaulieu, Baptiste

Illustrator: Qin Leng

Publication Date:

August 2024

Pages:

44

Age Group:

6+

Format:

25 x 25 cm

Original language and publisher

French | Les Arènes

Genre

Children's

Number of copies sold:

20,000 print run

I Am Myself And No One Else

Original title: Je suis moi et personne d’autre

Author: Beaulieu, Baptiste

Illustrator: Qin Leng

Synopsis

The best-selling duo from Les Arènes Jeunesse (145,000 copies sold in France and translated into 9 languages) is back with a story about self-esteem and self-respect.

Francisco is a young, bright boy, but he is not very sure of himself.

For fear of being teased by his classmates, he plays football, even though he doesn’t really like it. He says his favourite colour is red, when it is really pink.

He tries to be like everyone else. But Francisco is gradually losing his identity. Little by little, the name above his coat rack hook will disappear.

Until, one day, he finally learns to say “no” thanks to the help of a classmate. This takes a lot of courage and bravery, but when he does it, the letters in his name come back.

This is an inspiring album for young and adults alike. Knowing how to respect your limits and be true to what you want to do is difficult. It takes a lifetime of learning. Francisco’s journey is an example for young readers but also for adults, like the main character’s the main character’s mother, who will also be inspired by her son’s courage.

From the author himself:

“Parents often dread the period of their children’s lives when they say “no!”. But this book aims to teach them to say no when they should. It is so important to stay true to yourself and listen to what you feel.” -Baptiste Beaulieu.

 

Marketing Information

• Listening to oneself and resecting one’s inner self is a theme not often addressed in children’s literature
• By the authors of Les gens sont beaux and On a deux yeux pour voir (145k copies sold all together)
• A book for children 6 and above, as well as their parents, that encourages self-respect