You Be You

by Chitra Soundar, illustrated by Sophie Bass

Interest age: 5 to 7

Published by Walker Books, 2026

  • Picture books
  • Poetry and rhyme

About this book

You be you. You're amazing at that. Be anything and everything you want to be. But... let me be me. I'm amazing at that. 

A heartfelt, joyful picture book that celebrates individuality, using rousing rhyme. The text is incredibly supportive, suggesting that the child reader could be this or that - and that's OK, as long as they're them. While the plea to be allowed to be oneself - and celebrated for it - will chime with anyone who's felt limited by other people's perceptions of them. The celebratory feel is complemented by the colourful, vibrant illustrations depicting many different children in many different scenarios. Inclusive and accepting, this may help promote empathy when read with children. 

About the author

Chitra Soundar is an Indian-born British author and storyteller based in London. She has written over 30 books published across Asia, Europe and North America. Chitra has written picture books, stories for emerging readers, poetry and junior fiction. Chitra grew up hearing tales from Indian epics and folk wisdom and her stories are often set in India, inspired by her heritage.

She often visits schools, libraries and festivals to run writing and storytelling workshops because she believes stories widen our imagination and help us understand the people we share our planet with. She also writes short stories for adults as C Iyengar.

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