I Am Because We Are: A Celebration of Community and Ubuntu

Gr 1-4–Ubuntu translates to “humanness” and encompasses a philosophy borrowed from the Nguni people who live across the southern nations of Africa. The author uses the understood meaning of “I am because we are” to share the story of a young girl who knows she is loved and appreciated for who she is and how valuable she is to her community as she participates in a performance with her friends. The freedom that comes from Ubuntu allows the girl to dream her dreams, allows her friends the freedom “to be called “he,” “she,” “they,” or “ze,” to best capture their identities as “your freedom and mine are one and the same” and together they create a wonderful event followed by a communal feast. Digital illustrations glow and capture the power of community. Simple text makes it clear to readers that there is one human community and that when one cares for others and embraces the shared human experience, everyone is lifted up and becomes part of something strong and unifying.