It's Okay to Be Different

by Todd Parr

Overview

From New York Times bestselling author Todd Parr comes this beloved modern classic about being yourself and embracing what makes you stand out.
 
With his colorful illustrations, playful humor, and inclusive storytelling, beloved author Todd Parr has long been a favorite among young readers and caregivers. His books promote an essential message of love and acceptance that is inspiring, empowering, and accessible.
 
It’s okay to need some help.
It’s okay to dance by yourself.
It’s okay to be different.
 
It's Okay to Be Different celebrates all the ways we are unique and inspires kids to embrace everyone’s individuality. Whether you have an invisible friend; feel mad, embarrassed, or proud; need a helping hand; or like to eat mac and cheese in the bathtub, this book offers the perfect affirming message for anyone who has ever felt like the odd one out.
 
A bilingual English-Spanish edition, It's Okay to Be Different / Está bien ser diferente, is also available for purchase.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316043472
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	04/01/2009
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	53,619
Product dimensions:	9.50(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.10(d)
Lexile:	AD200L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 6 Years

About the Author

Todd Parr has inspired and empowered millions of children around the world with his bold images and positive messages. He is the bestselling author of more than sixty books, including The Goodbye Book, The Family Book, The I Love You Book, and It's Okay to be Different. He lives in California.

Hometown:

Berkeley, California

Date of Birth:

July 9, 1962

Place of Birth:

Rock Springs, Wyoming

Education:

High school diploma

Website:

http://www.toddparr.com

Editorial Reviews

"Reading this book aloud to little ones, and discussing the pictures and concepts is a great way to start kids on a lifetime of openly discussing feelings and problems. This book has wonderful, feel good, positive messages of acceptance and confidence that promote understanding and are fun to read for kids and the adults who love them."

—Myshelf.com

"The book unites the concept of tolerance of differences with simple images for easy understanding and comprehension. It's Okay to be Different encourages readers to accept themselves and others."—Children's Literature

"[Parr] wisely doesn't zero in on specifics, which would force him to establish what's 'normal.' Instead, he focuses on acceptance and individuality and encourages readers to do the same."—Publisher's Weekly

From the Publisher

"Reading this book aloud to little ones, and discussing the pictures and concepts is a great way to start kids on a lifetime of openly discussing feelings and problems. This book has wonderful, feel good, positive messages of acceptance and confidence that promote understanding and are fun to read for kids and the adults who love them."

Myshelf.com

Celebrate individuality with the king of color, Todd Parr. Well known for his use of bold and primary colors and funky, freewheeling style, Parr offers kids a lesson in being happy with who you are. To all those kids who are self-conscious about missing teeth, or being small, or feeling embarrassed -- it's okay. Supportive messages like "It's okay to come from a different place" and "It's okay to have an invisible friend" fill the pages of this awesome book. Each page fosters personality and the unique traits of everyone around us. Writing in simple language, Parr informs young readers that understanding and accepting our differences is what makes everybody great. An intense message that is conveyed with ease and carefree fun. The praiseworthy message "It's okay to talk about your feelings" is matched with a picture of a very talkative lion purring and raoring. And "It's okay to say no to bad things" features two fish staring head-on at a fishhook. Ah, the creative and hilarious genius of Todd Parr.

bn.com

Parr (The Okay Book) combines rainbow colors, simple drawings and reassuring statements in this optimistic book. His repetitive captions offer variations on the title and appear in a typeface that looks handcrafted and personalized. A fuschia elephant stands against a zingy blue background ("It's okay to have a different nose") and a lone green turtle crosses a finish line ("It's okay to come in last"). A girl blushes at the toilet paper stuck to her shoe ("It's okay to be embarrassed") and a lion says "Grr," "ROAR" and "purrr" ("It's okay to talk about your feelings"). Parr cautiously calls attention to superficial distinctions. By picturing a smiling girl with a guide dog ("It's okay to need some help"), he comments on disability and he accounts for race by posing a multicolored zebra with a black-and-white one. An illustration of two women ("It's okay to have different Moms") and two men ("It's okay to have different Dads") handles diverse families sensitively this could cover either same-sex families or stepfamilies and also on the opposite page, a kangaroo with a dog in its pouch ("It's okay to be adopted"). He wisely doesn't zero in on specifics, which would force him to establish what's "normal." Instead, he focuses on acceptance and individuality and encourages readers to do the same. All ages. (Sept.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

PreS-Gr 2-Parr preaches the message of self-acceptance and tolerance of others. Readers are encouraged to accept differences in physical characteristics, abilities, and family situations. "It's okay to be adopted." "It's okay to wear glasses." "It's okay to have a different nose" and "It's okay to come in last [in a race]." Some differences are of a less serious nature. "It's okay to eat macaroni and cheese in the bathtub," and "It's okay to have a pet worm." The accompanying illustrations feature both animals and children. "It's okay to need some help" shows a girl with a seeing-eye dog. The illustration for "It's okay to be a different color" shows a black-and-white zebra with one whose stripes are multicolored. The pictures are as simple as the message. A childlike mood is established with crudely drawn figures outlined with thick black lines and colored with solid, flat, bright colors. The text is printed in a font that mimics hand printing. The simplicity of presentation masks some of the difficult and complex issues connected with acceptance that children face. However, assurances that differences are okay do not tell children how to deal with being teased or excluded because of differences, and there are no suggestions for adapting play to include those with disabilities. However, the book could serve as a vehicle for beginning a discussion on mutual respect.-Adele Greenlee, Bethel College, St. Paul, MN Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal

Parr (Big and Little) teaches an important social lesson that all children need early in their development. Differences are observed and encouraged in this wonderful celebration of the vast distinctions that make each of us individuals. Every page displays a person or animal with characteristics or feelings that are unique, making each one extra special. The describing text for each drawing begins with, "It's okay to . . ." and can act as a springboard for an exercise in which children think of and name additional differences. Solid primary colors create the background, and kid-friendly hand drawings help children relate on their own level. Of course, the exaggeration of some of the drawings is just plain fun. The theme encourages acceptance of oneself and others, and boosts self-esteem. (Picture book. 3-5)

Kirkus Reviews