“I Am Jim Henson” Inspires Creativity in Young Readers
It’s Children’s Book Week! This literacy initiative and celebration of children’s books is a valuable time to assess what books our kids read, and the lessons and responses we hope they take away from those books.
One children’s book series, “I Am: Ordinary People Change the World,” presents young readers with positive role models from real life— brave civil rights activists, record-breaking athletes, revolutionary scientists, inventive artists, and more. Written by Brad Meltzer and illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos, the books are designed to give children a way to relate to historical figures and feel inspired to create change in the modern world. The illustrated characters in the “I Am” books are even childlike in appearance and experience events that kids recognize, which allows young readers to empower themselves and identify their capability to be real changemakers.
We’re especially happy to share that Jim Henson is the subject of the latest installment in the series! The book features “little” Jim as the narrator of his own story, taking readers on a journey through his life and career milestones. Scenes of fun experiments and silly jokes with family lead to awesome moments and professional breakthroughs in the world of modern puppetry. The establishment of iconic characters and creative concepts come to life in colorful, comic-like illustrations, with cameo appearances by famous puppets and the familiar faces of the founding performers of unforgettable Sesame Street and Muppet Show characters (I spy Dave Goelz!).
We all know that children truly have the power to inspire real progress in the world, starting with creativity in their everyday lives. Young Jim transformed an old green coat into a famous frog; who knows what future creations today’s kids will bring to life?
It is an honor to see Jim Henson alongside heroes like Abraham Lincoln, Amelia Earhart, Jackie Robinson, Helen Keller, and Albert Einstein! All of Brad’s books are available on Amazon, at Barnes and Noble, and wherever children’s books are sold.