Different--A Great Thing to Be!

by Heather Avis Narrated by Lily D. Moore

Overview

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER ¿ This joyful rhyming book encourages children to value the “different” in all people, leading the way to a kinder world in which the differences in all of us are celebrated and embraced.

Macy is a girl who's a lot like you and me, but she's also quite different, which is a great thing to be. With kindness, grace, and bravery, Macy finds her place in the world, bringing beauty and laughter wherever she goes and leading others to find delight in the unique design of every person.

Children are naturally aware of the differences they encounter at school, in their neighborhood, and in other everyday relationships. They just need to be given tools to understand and appreciate what makes us “different,” permission to ask questions about it, and eyes to see and celebrate it in themselves as well as in those around them.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"Each page of this book is a beautiful work of art. Macy can do many everyday things but sometimes she is a little quiet, and other times she is not. People don’t always understand her, but with her bright heart, she manages to convince them that being different can be OK. A wonderful book to share with little ones, and open discussions about equality, kindness, being true to yourself and accepting others who are not exactly like you."
Barbra Hesson, Calgary Herald

School Library Journal

07/01/2021

PreS-Gr 3—Embracing uniqueness can be challenging, especially when others are not so welcoming of difference. Macy is a young girl with spunk and spirit, often dancing to her own beat and investigating the world in unconventional ways. When other children see her behavior as outside their perceived norms, Macy feels left out, but that does not stop her from being brave and inspiring others to change their outlook. Digitally rendered illustrations tell Macy's story using vibrant and varied hues. Beginning with the stems of flowers and an assortment of vividly pigmented birds, the story progresses through Macy's world and incorporates color throughout, ultimately concluding with an assortment of blooming flowers. Macy herself has light skin, glasses, and reddish-brown hair cut with bangs. Children of various races, ethnicities, and abilities are depicted alongside Macy and enhance the message of embracing differences of all kinds. The text is carefully placed to highlight the story without obscuring the illustrations. Rhyming lines, though stiff and often didactic, introduce Macy and her struggles directly, and encourage readers to celebrate the innate beauty within themselves. The book's message is that being different is the one thing that unites everyone. VERDICT A colorful and inspirational tale of embracing and welcoming uniqueness in oneself and others.—Mary Lanni, formerly at Denver P.L.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940173368423
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	09/21/2021
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	Up to 4 Years

Read an Excerpt

Scoot closer in and sit next to me, while I tell you the story of my friend Macy.

She can swim underwater, balance on logs.

She can whistle (almost). She has a pet dog.

She reads books and jumps high like kangaroos do.

She takes hip-hop class and prefers to wear blue.

She’s a fun-loving kid, much like you and me,

but she’s also quite Different, a great thing to be!

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