AALIYAH DIYAH, WE SEE YA!

AALIYAH DIYAH, WE SEE YA!
by Terrence Sadler 
 
There is something really sweet about Aaliyah Diyah, We See Ya! by Terrence Sadler. It takes an ordinary school morning and turns it into a cheerful little lesson about independence, personal care, confidence, and, most importantly, being seen and encouraged by someone who loves you.
 
The story follows Aaliyah as she gets ready for school with her mom. From the moment she wakes up, her morning is filled with those familiar little routines that children experience every day. She picks out her clothes, brushes her teeth, takes a bath, puts on deodorant, gets dressed, fixes her curls, packs her lunch, and remembers her backpack. None of these things are presented as chores that Aaliyah simply has to get through. Instead, the story shows her gradually taking more ownership of each part of getting ready.
 
One of my favorite things about the book is the playful back-and-forth between Aaliyah and her mom. Throughout the morning, Mom says, "Aaliyah Diyah... We See Ya!" and Aaliyah happily joins in with, "We See Ya!" It gives the story a rhythm that children can easily pick up on, and I can imagine young readers enjoying saying the repeated line along with a parent or teacher.
 
There are also some fun little moments that keep the story from feeling like a checklist of morning routines. Aaliyah gets a bubble stuck on her nose during her bath, proudly remembers to use her deodorant, and catches her mom before she can remind her about her backpack and lunch. When Mom starts to ask about the last thing she needs, Aaliyah proudly announces that she has her smile too. That moment captures the cheerful spirit of the whole book.
 
The message about self-care is especially clear without being overly complicated. Aaliyah learns that brushing all of her teeth, bathing, keeping fresh, getting dressed, taking care of her hair, and packing a healthy lunch are all ways she can take care of herself. At the same time, the story connects those everyday habits to something bigger. By the time Aaliyah walks out the door, she isn't just clean and ready for school. She feels happy, healthy, confident, and prepared to take on her day.
 
I also appreciated the way her relationship with her mom is portrayed. Mom guides Aaliyah, but she doesn't do everything for her. She gives little reminders and encouragement while allowing Aaliyah to make choices and eventually remember things on her own. That makes the story feel relatable for children who are learning to become more independent themselves.
 
The book is simple, but that simplicity is part of its appeal. This isn't a story filled with a complicated plot or big adventure. Instead, it celebrates something children often overlook: the small steps we take each morning to care for ourselves and get ready for whatever the day brings. For younger children, those everyday moments can be just as meaningful as a grand adventure.
 
Aaliyah Diyah, We See Ya! would make a nice read for parents and young children, particularly as part of a morning routine. It offers opportunities to talk about hygiene, healthy habits, getting ready independently, and feeling good about yourself. And that repeated "We See Ya!" gives the story a positive message that goes beyond simply noticing what Aaliyah is doing. It feels like a reminder that encouragement and attention matter too.
 
By the end, Aaliyah is ready to head out into her day, curls bouncing, backpack on, and a big smile on her face. It's a simple ending, but it fits the book perfectly. Sometimes confidence starts with something as ordinary as knowing how to take care of yourself, and Aaliyah Diyah, We See Ya! does a nice job of bringing that idea down to a child's level.
 
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