What About Me?

Young, Ed. (2002). What About Me?. Illus. Ed Young. New York, New York, Philomel Books.

Brief Annotation: This fable is based on a Sufi tale. A young boy goes to a Grand Master to gain knowledge, and the master tells him that, if the boy gets him a carpet, he will give the boy knowledge. The boy goes to a carpet maker, who offers to give the boy a carpet if the boy gives him some thread. The boy continues going from person to person, and each person needs one more thing before the boy can receive what he desires. Finally, he reaches a man who desires a wife, and the boy finds him a wife, and in return is able to get the other people what they want. At the end, the wisdom he gains is the wisdom he achieved by helping other people.
Genre: Fable
Grade Level: K-3
Readers who will like this: Readers who like stories with a moral, readers who like interesting artwork.
Response/Rating (1-4): 4. This is a simple story with a good ending, and the collage and watercolor illustrations are beautiful.
One question you would ask before a read aloud: Where does knowledge come from?

Reading Strategies Connection: