Where Are You From? Book Review | Common Sense Media

Home » Where Are You From Book » Where Are You From? Book Review | Common Sense Media

Maybe your like

Skip to main content
  • For Parents
  • For Educators
  • Our Work and Impact
Language: English English Español (próximamente) - volver al inicio
  • Movies
    • Movie Reviews and Lists
      • Movie Reviews
      • Best Movie Lists
      • Common Sense Selections for Movies
    • Marketing Campaign

      • 50 Modern Movies All Kids Should Watch Before They're 12

    • The Common Sense Seal

      • Common Sense Selections for Movies

  • TV
    • TV Reviews and Lists
      • TV Reviews
      • Best TV Lists
      • Common Sense Selections for TV
      • Video Reviews of TV Shows
    • Marketing Campaign

      • Best Kids' Shows on Disney+

    • Marketing Campaign

      • Best Kids' TV Shows on Netflix

  • Books
    • Book Reviews and Lists
      • Book Reviews
      • Best Book Lists
      • Common Sense Selections for Books
    • Article About Books

      • 8 Tips for Getting Kids Hooked on Books

    • Marketing Campaign for Books

      • 50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12

  • Gaming
    • App Reviews and Lists
      • Fortnite
      • Minecraft
      • Roblox
      • All Game Reviews
  • Social Media
    • Podcast Reviews and Lists
      • Social Media
      • Snapchat
      • Instagram
      • TikTok
  • Parents' Guides
    • By Age & Stage
      • Preschoolers (2-4)
      • Little Kids (5-7)
      • Big Kids (7-9)
      • Tweens (10-12)
      • Teens (13-15)
    • By Topic
      • Digital Parenting Anxiety
      • First Phones
      • Social Media
      • Parental Controls
      • AI Companions
      • Generative AI
    • What's New

      • Parents' Ultimate Guide: How to Set Parent Controls on Roblox

      • All Parents' Ultimate Guides
  • Tips & FAQs
    • Column 1
      • Family Tech Planners
      • Digital Skills
      • All Articles
  • Celebrating Community
    • Menu for Latino Content
      • Latino Culture
      • Black Voices
      • Asian Stories
      • Native Narratives
      • LGBTQ+ Pride
      • Jewish Experiences
      • Best of Diverse Representation List
    • FACE English Column 2

      • Multicultural Books

    • FACE English Column 3

      • YouTube Channels with Diverse Representations

    • FACE English Column 4

      • Podcasts with Diverse Characters and Stories

  • Donate

Parents' Guide to

Where Are You From? Book Yamile Saied Méndez Picture Book 2019 Where Are You From? Poster Image
  • Common Sense Says
  • Parents Say 0 Reviews
  • Kids Say 0 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

Mandie Caroll By Mandie Caroll , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 5+

Lovely art frames lyrical answer to oft-asked question.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Where Are You From?, by Yamile Saied Méndez and illustrated by Jaime Kim, is a picture book about a little brown girl who, after being indirectly questioned about her identity by peers and adults…

 Why Age 5+? Violence & Scariness

A refernce to slavery.

 Language Not present Any Positive Content? Positive Messages

Find an adult who can help you understand confusing things. The answer to "Where

 Positive Role Models

The main character is perceptive and her experience of not belonging will be rel

 Educational Value

Shows many aspects of the places that different parts of a girl's family came fr

  • Parents Need to Know

    Parents need to know that Where Are You From?, by Yamile Saied Méndez and illustrated by Jaime Kim, is a picture book about a little brown girl who, after being indirectly questioned about her identity by peers and adults alike, feels left out, and seeks the counsel of her abuelo (grandfather). Lyrical language accompanies pictures in soothing, sunset hues. The story celebrates having a positive self-image and pride in your identity. The little girl is a relatable character, and Abuelo is a comforting presence. The pair appear to be Afro-Latinx/mixed-race, though that's never explicitly stated. The characters who ask the girl where she's really from represent a range of skin colors.

  • Violence & Scariness

    very little

    A refernce to slavery.

    Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

    Get started Close

  • Positive Messages

    a lot

    Find an adult who can help you understand confusing things. The answer to "Where are you from?" can mean lots of interesting, beautiful things. Be curious about and proud of who you are. Listen to and believe people when they tell you where they are from; you may learn something wonderful and make a friend. Where Are You From? encourages self-awareness and pride in your cultural background, as well as acceptance and appreciation of others' cultural backgrounds.

  • Positive Role Models

    a lot

    The main character is perceptive and her experience of not belonging will be relatable to many readers. Abuelo is whimsical and poetic, and very reassuring. Abuelo and the little girl are Afro-Latinx (not explicit, some readers will pick up on Abuelo's references to Argentina, Puerto Rico, and slavery); the other characters represent a wide range of skin colors and genders.

  • Educational Value

    some

    Shows many aspects of the places that different parts of a girl's family came from -- different countries with their own unique landscapes, natural resources, animals, and cultures. References to Argentina, Puerto Rico, and slavery.

Where to Read

Parent and Kid Reviews

See all
  • Parents Say
  • Kids Say

What's the Story?

WHERE ARE YOU FROM? tells the story of a little brown girl who can't seem to give the answer people want to this very common question. So, she asks her Abuelo, who also looks like he doesn't belong, "Where am I from?" Abuelo thoughtfully answers by describing the beauty, strength, and resilience of the people and places her family came from. The Pampas, the guachos, the brown river, the mountains, the sea, hurricanes, even a tiny, singing frog are all a part of the girl's family history, part of her identity. It isn't the answer she was looking for, but she "sees" her identity in a new way and is able to take pride in it.

Show more

Is It Any Good?

Our review: Parents say : Not yet rated Kids say: Not yet rated

This charmingly illustrated, thoughtfully written picture book offers a gentle wayfor the youngest readers to explore the complexities of identity. The story in Where Are You From? expands the idea of "origins" beyond a physical location to include the people, the natural world, and the history of a place and culture we are from. Most kids will relate to feeling left out, as well as finding comfort with a loving relative. The story encourages self-awareness, empathy, and family relationships.

The language verges on the poetic, with tender renderings of setting and history. There are soothingly illustrated pictures of a sunset walk, moving from the pastels of early evening to warm golds and oranges to the deep blues of night. Abuelo and the little girl are often visually small on the page, giving the feel of just how expansive a person's identity can be. Where Are You From? is like a window and a mirror: It allows young readers who haven't explored their backgrounds to look into lives that may not be like their own, and it reflects and affirms the experiences of kids who are not always accepted because of the way they look or speak. Overall, it's a great pick for families interested in exploring cultural identity with younger kids.

Show more

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the question the little girl in Where Are You From? gets frustrated with: "Where are you really from?" How does this question make the girl feel? Have you ever been asked a question that makes you feel left out? How did you deal with your situation?

  • How do the paintings in this book show the little girl where she's from? If you could draw pictures about where you're from, what would you draw?

  • Abuelo never directly tells the little girl what countries her family is from. Why do you think Abuelo chooses not to tell her that information? Would you say Abuelo gives her a good answer? Why or why not?

Show more

Book Details

  • Author : Yamile Saied Méndez
  • Illustrator : Jaime Kim
  • Genre : Picture Book
  • Book type : Fiction
  • Publisher : Harper
  • Publication date : June 4, 2019
  • Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
  • Number of pages : 32
  • Available on : Hardback, Apple Books
  • Last updated : September 27, 2021
Show more

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Where Are You From?

Suggest an Update

Your privacy is important to us. We won't share this comment without your permission. If you chose to provide an email address, it will only be used to contact you about your comment. See our privacy policy . Where Are You From? Poster Image

What to Read Next

See all

Kids' Books About the Immigrant Experience

See all

Books About Families

See all recommended book lists

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate

Tag » Where Are You From Book