*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Super cute! liked the artwork, would buy for myself as well for a gift

This book has a message for all and one that needs to be heard. We should all love one another without looking at the color of our skin. Narrator and background sound were excellent!

The author dedicates the book to his dog, Biscuit. The Illustrator also makes a dedication.

The audio edition is beautifully and enthusiastically narrated by the author. This is usually a red flag for me (unless the author is also an actor or frequent public speaker), so I was both pleasantly surprised and curious to learn more about the author. Additional sound effects in the audio edition were sometimes overbearing and distracting.

The story is told from the dog's point of view, starting with their meeting in the shelter. Having the dog narrate is an effective and nonthreatening way to introduce the issue of other humans' reactions (like fear and distrust) to the dog's human and offer suggestions about how other humans *should* treat the dog's human (e.g. by talking to and getting to know him).

I loved the description of the human/dog relationship. The mutual love, trust, and respect are palpable. I think anyone who has welcomed a pet into their life will relate, no matter what kind of animal.

I've already submitted a hold request at our library for the print edition. I can't wait to read it again (for at least the fourth time), this time with the illustrations.

Thank you, Netgalley and Macmillan Audio/Macmillan Young Listeners, for the audio ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review. Publication is expected November 8.

4.5⭐

What a great book!! It’s entertaining and I think children would love that is was from the point of view from the dog. That will keep them more engaged if they are thinking the dog was thinking and saying all these things. It was a book about many things. It was dealing with friendship and being a loyal friend to someone. Even when no one else really likes them. Just having that one special person in your life, can mean do much for someone. And how we shouldn’t judge people by their looks. Don’t make assumptions about people by the way they look. I am a teacher so this book would be perfect for introducing a teachable moment to my class. Also, parents would be able to teach the same lessons to their own children.

Biscuit is adopted from the shelter by an extremely kind man who treats him with love and patience but he begins to notice that his owner is met with caution and dismissal by others whenever they’re out together. He doesn’t understand why anyone wouldn’t adore his owner as much as he does and decides to make sure his owner knows how much he matters to him every day and help show everyone else how great of a guy he is.

The narration in this book is absolutely lovely and You Matter To Me successfully takes a complex topic and simplifies it in a way that children can see that there are real people who are loved and deserve love that can be negatively impacted by snap judgments and prejudices.

I was honored with an advanced release copy of this sweet audiobook from n
NetGalley and Macmillan Audio.
It was well-narrated by Doyin Richards. He has an inviting, friendly voice that relayed his written word engagingly.
My compliments on finding a way to make such a complex topic very understandable to young ones. No big words, no over-explanations- just a simple and wonderful story. A dog named Biscuit is adopted by a kind man who treats him with patience, love and care. Biscuit finally understands what it means to matter. What he can’t understand is why people they meet during walks treat his beloved guy with fear, caution, and dismissal. It saddens him to see the impact this has on his special human.

The cover is wonderful I wish that I had been able to see the illustrations in upcoming print/digital versions, yet I’m also glad I was able to hear this perfect audio version.

I wholeheartedly recommend. I’d love to give Biscuit and Doyin a hug, and would love if they did a library reading tour to celebrate this lovely book.

I sweet audiobook about acceptance of others. When the dog notices that others treat his amazing owner with fear the dog goes out of his way to make others see how great his owner is.

A sweet short audiobook told from the point of a dog.! As an educator,I would recommend for young readers. Thank you to NetGalley for the arc.

You Matter to Me ~Audiobook
5 Stars

I've heard nothing but great things about this book. I'm so glad I got to listen too! This sweet book is told from the point of view of Biscuit, a dog. He takes on the difficult topic of racism and simplifies it in a way young children can understand. He doesn't understand why people treat his human differently and it makes him sad.

Biscuit wants everyone to know how wonderful his human is. The narration is fabulous. Doyin Richard's did a great job voicing this book. His storytelling is so expressive. Children will enjoy the sound effects and want to listen to this book several times. As parents, I'd call this my "golden ticket" book. For those nights you're too exhausted to keep your eyes open to read, but it's story time. You Matter to me to the rescue.

I'd recommend this book to all elementary age children. It's a great book teaching a valuable lesson. Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an Audio ARC for an honest review.

An adorable story told from the point of a dog. Great life lessons taught in this book. Would highly recommend for all elementary aged children.

“He rescued me, and now it’s my turn. You matter to me.”

This was so sweet!!! This is a simplified way of explaining racial bias and through the point of view of a dog, this would be a great way to introduce the important topic to younger readers. I absolutely love the narration with the author’s great storytelling accompanied by sound effects.

One day, a man adopts a dog. At first things are scary, but they get used to each other, and the dog is sure his person is one of the most amazing people in the whole world. The thing is, not everyone sees it that way. Some people seem afraid of the man, so the dog sets out to help other people see how great he is.

While this book could feasibly be applied to understanding many kinds of differences, it's especially poignant as a way to explain racism to kids—particularly how ridiculous it can sometimes be. Told from the perspective of the dog, this book is a fun and relatable way to talk about what it means to be seen as "other" and how anyone can help. The audiobook was fun! Some of the sound effects were a little over the top, but I'm sure my students will want to stop at the "accident" scene over and over for a giggle.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this audio ARC. All opinions are my own.

You Matter to Me
by Doyin Richards
A audible book for young readers, I think that is important for children to understand that they can affect things. Told from the point of view a dog, the story shows that people make judgements that are not true. His owner is wonderful, but people are afraid of him. They cross the street, or don't say hi because of how he looks. Its a reminder to children that they need to watch others, to find the kindness in them. that sometimes its not evident. The book may help with social interactions between cultures, and peoples.

Racism and prejudice are hard to discuss with young children. “You Matter to Me” is a way to introduce this topic in a way children can understand. This story is told from the perspective of Biscuit the dog. Biscuit notices that people seem to be scared of his Black owner. He points out that people will
cross the street to avoid the pair or hold their bags closer to their bodies. Biscuit does not understand why people treat his human differently and it makes him sad. He knows his human is amazing and wants others to see it, too. Just like Biscuit children notice how adults react to people that are not like them. Biscuit’s story brings up things we may not even notice we are doing. It can make us better people as we work to unlearn these behaviors.