Walk into almost any Head Start classroom or a well-loved public library children's wing, and you’ll likely spot a bright, yellow-bordered book that looks like it’s been through a war zone. Tape on the spine. Crinkled corners. Sticky fingerprint smudges on the page for the letter 'P'. That book is ABC I Like Me! by Nancy Carlson. It’s been around since the late nineties, yet it somehow manages to outperform flashy, high-tech educational apps every single day. Why? Because while most alphabet books are busy trying to teach kids that 'A' is for 'Apple,' Carlson decided that 'A' should be for 'Ambitious.' Or at least, for having an 'Awesome' personality.
It’s about self-esteem. Pure and simple.
The book features a cheerful, round pig—Carlson’s signature character—who navigates the alphabet by highlighting positive traits and healthy habits. Honestly, it’s a bit of a trip to see a pig celebrate having "Big" feet or "Curly" hair, but that’s the magic. It hits kids at an age where they are just starting to notice they are separate individuals from their parents.
What makes ABC I Like Me actually work?
Most kids' books are boring. There, I said it. They’re repetitive and clinical. But ABC I Like Me! feels like a high-five. It doesn’t just teach phonics; it models a specific type of internal monologue that we spend thousands of dollars on therapy to rediscover as adults. It’s the "fake it 'til you make it" of the toddler world.
Think about the letter 'I'. In most books, 'I' is for 'Igloo' or 'Iguana'. Things a kid in suburban Ohio or inner-city Chicago might never see. In this book, 'I' is for 'I like me.' It’s a direct affirmation. According to child development experts like those at the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the period between ages three and six is critical for developing a "self-concept." If a kid spends those years associating the alphabet—the very foundation of communication—with their own worth, you’ve basically won at parenting.
The illustrations aren’t "perfect" in that modern, minimalist, beige-aesthetic way that dominates Instagram right now. They’re colorful. They’re a little goofy. The pig wears goggles. She plays the banjo. She looks like she’s actually having a blast being herself. This matters because children are visual sponges. When they see a character who isn't a "standard" beauty—it’s a pig, for crying out loud—feeling proud of her "Wide" smile, it sticks.
The Nancy Carlson factor
Nancy Carlson isn't some corporate committee. She’s an author-illustrator who has written over 60 books, and she has this uncanny ability to talk to kids rather than at them. If you’ve ever read Loudmouth George or I Like Me! (the predecessor to the ABC version), you know her vibe. It’s gentle but firm on the idea that being different is actually the point of living.
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I’ve seen teachers use this book for "Student of the Week" activities where they have the kids pick a letter and find a trait they like about themselves. It’s a game-changer for the kid who is struggling with fine motor skills or who feels shy. It gives them a vocabulary for confidence.
Beyond the letters: The health and wellness angle
Look closer at the pages. The pig isn't just sitting around being "Ambitious." She’s active. She’s "Healthy" (the letter H). She’s "Jumping" (the letter J). This is a subtle nudge toward physical literacy. We talk a lot about "Social-Emotional Learning" (SEL) in schools these days. It’s a buzzword, sure, but ABC I Like Me! was doing SEL before it had a fancy name.
It addresses things like:
- Body positivity: Celebrating big feet and curly hair.
- Resilience: Trying new things even if they look a little silly.
- Self-care: Eating well and staying active.
Critics might say the book is too simple. It’s a valid point if you’re looking for a complex narrative. But for a four-year-old? Complexity is the enemy of retention. They need the beat. They need the rhythm.
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Why Google loves it (and why you should too)
You might wonder why a book from 1997 is still trending in search results or popping up in "Best Books for Preschoolers" lists in 2026. It’s the "Lindy Effect." The longer something has survived in print, the longer it’s likely to stay relevant. It’s a proven commodity. Parents who read it as kids are now buying the board book version for their own toddlers.
But it’s also because the conversation around mental health has shifted earlier. We don’t wait until high school to talk about self-esteem anymore. We start at 'A'.
Some people get confused between the original I Like Me! and ABC I Like Me!. The original is a straightforward story. The ABC version is more of a catalog of greatness. If you’re trying to teach the alphabet, the ABC version is the way to go. If you want a bedtime story with a plot, go with the original. Personally? Get both. They’re cheap, and they’re durable.
Practical ways to use the book today
Don’t just read it and put it on the shelf. That’s a waste.
First, try the "Mirror Game." Read a page—let’s say 'S' for 'Smile'—and have the child look in a mirror and practice their own "Super" smile. It bridges the gap between the page and their reality.
Second, create a "Personal ABC" poster. If your kid’s name starts with 'M', find a word like 'Magnificent' or 'Musical'. It’s about identity.
Third, use it to tackle insecurities. If a child is frustrated because they can’t tie their shoes, go to the letter 'T' and talk about being 'Talented' in other ways while we practice the hard stuff.
The reality of the "Self-Esteem" movement
We have to be careful, though. There was a period in the early 2000s where people thought "self-esteem" meant telling kids they were perfect at everything. That’s not what this book does. It’s not about being the best at everything; it’s about liking who you are while you’re doing those things. There’s a distinction. One leads to narcissism; the other leads to a stable, happy kid who can handle a bad grade later in life because their core identity isn’t tied to a trophy.
Carlson’s pig fails sometimes. She looks messy. She’s not a superhero. She’s just a pig who thinks she’s pretty cool. That’s a much more attainable goal for a toddler.
Final thoughts on the legacy of the Pig
In an era of iPads and AI-generated bedtime stories, there is something deeply grounding about a physical book that tells a child they are enough. ABC I Like Me! doesn't have bells, whistles, or a subscription fee. It just has a message that hasn't aged a day since it hit the shelves.
If you're looking for a gift for a three-year-old, or you're a teacher trying to build a classroom culture that doesn't suck, this is your baseline. It's the "Old Reliable" of the picture book world.
Actionable Next Steps
- Audit your bookshelf: Check if your current alphabet books are just naming objects or if they are teaching values. Mix in at least one "identity-based" book.
- The "Letter of the Day" Affirmation: When teaching a specific letter, pair it with a positive trait from the book to help with memory retention through emotional connection.
- Focus on the "Wide" and "Curly": Use the book to specifically highlight physical traits that might not fit the "standard" mold, reinforcing that those features are worth celebrating.
- Check your local library: Most libraries carry multiple copies of Carlson's work; compare the ABC version with her other titles like I Like Me! or You Are Great! to see which resonates most with your child's current temperament.