I Am Strong Just Being Me

By Author / Illustrator

Laura Dockrill, Kip Alizadeh

Genre

Personal Growth

Age range(s)

Publisher

Little Tiger

ISBN

9781838918019

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

05-02-2026

Synopsis

A poetic story from Laura Dockrill (Angry Cookie, The Lipstick, Grey) that shows children that there are many different ways to be strong.

Is strong brave and fearless? Does it always win a fight? Does strong have a shouty voice? Is it always right? These are some of the questions that the inquisitive Bean asks their Nanna one day while in the garden. What follows is a stunning, lyrical exploration of strength and its many guises.

From the power of silence to the strength of an embrace, this uplifting picture book offers an alternative to the stereotypes around strength, and encourages all children that they can be strong in their own way.

The lyrical text is accompanied by Kip Alizadeh's gorgeous, evocative illustrations, which are a celebration of the natural world. Just like Today I'm Strong by Nadiya Hussain and Ella Bailey, The Lion Inside by Rachel Bright and Jim Field, and the Big Bright Feelings series by Tom Percival, I Am Strong Just Being Me is a powerful picture book that inspires reflection.

Find out more in ReadingZone's Q&A with author Laura Dockrill

Download Extract

Reviews

Lauren

I Am Strong Just Being Me by Laura Dockrill is a beautiful rhyming story about a little girl asking her Grandma, what it means to be 'strong'. Her Grandma takes the time to tell the little girl all the different ways in which someone can be strong. This all takes place in the garden and the story links to nature throughout.

The illustrations and words together create a beautiful story about being strong both mentally and physically, how we can help each other and support through tough times. I love the front and back pages of the book where Kip Alizadeh’s illustrations of all the flowers are explained for their qualities. Definitely learnt a thing or too on those pages alone!

Beautiful books, beautiful illustrations and a very STRONG message, definitely one for the bookshelf!

Picture book / Reviewed by Lauren Beach, teacher.

Kelly

I Am Strong Just Being Me was just the book that I was looking for to read to Y3 and Y4 in our weekly story assembly. I was looking for a book about strength within that I could relate to playtimes, learning in the classroom and life outside of school.

I began by asking the children what 'strong' meant to them. They came up with some brilliant ideas and we discussed it not just being about carrying or moving heavy objects, but that strength can be struggling and asking for help, standing up for something that you believe in or calling out some behaviour that is not right.

I Am Strong Just Being Me opened up some great discussions. It is a book written from a child's perspective who asks her Nana to help her understand what strength means; it ends with her understanding that strength comes from within. The book offers up lots of discussion points through lyrical questions asked from the child to Nana.

The story is beautifully illustrated in soft hues and brushstrokes to engage all readers. It is a great addition to the wellbeing section of any bookshelf. I would happily read this with young children all the way to Year 6 as there is something in there for everyone. Themes of strength, inner beauty, resilience and learning through others filter through the book and are such powerful messages to send children.

Picture book / Reviewed by Kelly Buxton, teacher