A sweet picture book about being yourself. We need more picture books like this. A lot of lessons can be learned from picture books for all ages.

As a 3rd grade teacher I am always on the lookout for books that I can integrate into my classroom, especially those with a theme of social/emotional learning. I shared this book with my students and they enjoyed it. They thought it was mean that everyone made fun of Herman. They thought that the author was trying to tell us that you just need to be yourself. Don't worry about what others think, because your happiness is what is most important.

It was a relatable book and my kids drew from their own lives when we discussed it following the reading. I appreciated the message, as it reinforces what I say to the kids that they just need to be themselves.

Apparently one of several Herman Jiggle books, this looks at the time he's picked on and teased over his sticky-uppy hair, lack of holes where his first teeth have fallen out, and choice of trainer. You know, the things that are out of his control and/or should mean jack sh*t to any actual friend. His lovely mum helps him see that he's splendid as he is – and in a kind of spoiling of the book, all his classmates suddenly, overnight, agree. Couldn't the narrative have finished with his learning his lesson, and not have the unneeded add-on where the entire world switches to thinking he's great?

Either way, this is designed to be a tool for personal and emotional development, and it's a bright and colourful one. Most of the text is dialogue, unadorned even with 'he said' or 'she replied'. I can see this working – what I can't see, unfortunately, is the readability appeal that gets a kid to choose this off the shelf a second time. Without that hard-to-find entertainment buzz, this remains a four star achievement.

As a teacher and parent, I absolutely love all Julia Cook books! The way she can weave important life lessons into an entertaining book is magical!

This book focuses on overcoming insecurities - something we all have!

Definitely add this title to your library!

I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. This is my honest review.

This is a story about a kid who just wants to be like everyone else in his class at school, because being different is hard. And all the other kids have flat hair, nitro-flyer shoes, and missing teeth. His mom does her best to convince him that his differences make him Herman and special. Then when he gets to school the other kids want to be more like him, some of them coming to school with their hair spiky and wanting to climb trees instead of run fast at recess.

The illustrations were colorful and bright with crisp lines, perfectly showing the action of the story without a ton of extraneous background activity. Overall I give this book 3.47 out of 5 stars.

Herman Jiggle wants so badly to fit in with his peers but how far will he go to make that happen? He feels so inadequate and will try anything to fit in and be liked, accepted and belong.

His hair looks like a porcupine, his shoes are plain and clunky, his teeth are not wiggly yet and he earns for a hole. Oh my what is he to do?

He wants to try glue to smooth out his hair or even try to take out a tooth the hard way. Poor Herman Jiggle is having an identity crisis.

Thankfully his loving mom is there to rescue him and convince him to stop trying to change himself and learn to love the unique little human being he was created to be.

Herman Jiggle, Just Be You! Highlights how to overcome insecurities and anxieties and learn the importance of accepting and loving yourself. The author has included a special page for parents and educators offering insightful and practical tips on helping kids celebration and LOVE all the things that make then unique.

The fabulous illustrations enrich the positive message. This is the fourth title in the popular Socially Skilled Kids book series.

I love the book ( and the whole series ) and highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

I love Julia Cook and Boys town Press. As a teacher I use their books frequently. I like that this one is less wordy than others. It gets the point across in a succinct way.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with the E-ARC.

Herman Jiggle, Just Be YOU! follows the story of a little boy who doesn't feel like he's the same as his friends, a little boy who feels out of place because he doesn't look the same or have the same shoes or have a tooth missing like his classmates. He doesn't understand that these things happen at different times for every kid and that his time just hasn't happened yet. After a heart to heart with his mom, he realizes he's special just as he is and that things will happen for him when they are meant to happen.

This was ok, but I feel Julia Cook's other books are longer, more entertaining and more descriptive. This seems like it would bore my students.

Ever feel like you are left out and feel “abnormal”?

Well, it’s time to read this book to the kids who feel different and left out when other kid’s experience changes while growing up.

Herman feels he’s quite different from his friends and wants to fit in. So he’s trying to be like the other kids but is getting frustrated. Until he’s being told that he’s perfect as he is. Not everyone needs to be the same!

I love the writing and the illustrations. So well done!

Thank you, Boys Town Press, for the advance reading copy.

This is a great book that teaches children about the importance of accepting themselves. The artwork is fun and I think kids will enjoy it. It got a bit wordy in the middle, but not terribly so. I also like that there's a section at the back with information on how to foster confidence in children.

This book started out cute and had a great message about being yourself and not worrying about what other people think. I loved this quote, “Don’t compare your insides with other people’s outsides!” However, after Herman talked to his mom about how he was feeling. He went back to school and instead of using his new confidence after talking with his mom, the kids were all doing their hair like him. I feel like the book missed the mark on the message.