By Joy Samuel

I Am A King shares the story of young Shemar. Told through his eyes, we get to see him reflect on who he is, beyond the “adventurous young boy with radiant brown skin.”

Keonté Beals’s book, I Am A King, is the second in his I Am book series, following I Am Perfectly Me. It is geared towards young readers, ages two and up. The book is a colourful delight that mixes Beals’s illustration and storytelling skills. Each page is filled with smiling faces and relatable scenes that will attract children as they picture themselves in Shemar’s shoes. I Am A King follows as a visual representation of Keonté’s award winning song, King.

The themes from the song are captured throughout the story in a format that children could relate to. Its simple yet compelling themes of father-son relationships, masculinity and identity can often be hard subjects to broach with young children. Yet Beals is able to bring each concept forward in a light-hearted way with the smiling face of his character Shemar.

Early in the story, readers are introduced to a warm, caring father who thinks the world of his son and wants his son to grow up knowing his worth. “I am a King” is a confident statement which Shemar learns from his father. It is a phrase that other young children can reflect on, just as Shemar does in the book.

The book does not focus on royalty in a palace that is distant and unattainable. Shemar is a regular young boy, much like our own sons, nephews, and cousins. What does it mean to be called a king by his father? he ponders in the book.

In each scene, he explores his emotions and learns valuable lessons. He not only gains understanding, he teaches us readers these lessons as well. While the focus of the book is clearly on the father-son dynamic, it does not miss the opportunity to highlight the role Shemar’s mother plays and how this role should be respected.

Each page can be a lesson on its own that adults can explore with their young readers. A fun, engaging read, complete with activity and reflection questions at the back of the book, I Am A King would be a welcome addition to any child’s bookshelf or classroom collection. It does not only focus on instilling confidence in young readers, it also teaches them who they are beyond what is seen on the surface.