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Overview
Featuring Todd Parr's trademark bold, bright colors and silly scenes, this book embraces difference in a unique way. Deceptively simple in appearance, It's OK to Be Different cleverly delivers its important messages of acceptance, understanding, and confidence in a child-friendly package.Author Biography: Todd Parr's previous books have been praised by critics and his designs appear on clothing, furniture, toys, and other products for children. He lives in San Francisco.
Illustrations and brief text describe all kinds of differences that are "okay," such as "It's Okay to be a different color," "It's Okay to need some help," "It's Okay to be adopted," and "It's Okay to have a Different nose."
Synopsis
It's okay to be a different color. It's okay to dance by yourself. It's okay to wear glasses. It's okay to have a pet worm.... It's okay to be different!
Publishers Weekly
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.
Editorials
From Barnes & Noble
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.Myshelf.com
"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.Publishers Weekly
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.From The Critics
A very colorful and fun book about appreciating diversity. The characters in the stories are amusing, yet respectful. I especially loved, "It's okay to be adopted with a puppy in a kangaroo's pouch." Some other examples are: "It's okay to have wheels," "It's okay to have big ears," "It's okay to be a different color," and "It's okay to do something nice for your friends." Young children will love the illustrations, and all readers will enjoy the message and humor. 2001, Little, Brown and Company, $14.95. Ages 3 to 8. Reviewer: S. Latson SOURCE: Parent Council, September 2001 (Vol. 9, No. 1)Children's Literature
In It's Okay to Be Different, Todd Parr shows that it is all right to accept differences in ourselves and others. Parr uses loud, colorful illustrations to keep the attention of the reader and the repetition of the phrase "It's okay" to make a substantial point about various differences, including physical differences, ideas, and concepts. Parr utilizes vibrant colors and simple drawings to keep the reader's attention. Almost every page has it's own "It's okay" statement. Since the backdrop of each statement is a different color than the previous one, each "It's okay" statement becomes the focal point. Parr completes the "It's okay" statements with a lesson in feeling special and important while using the contrast of differences. 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. 2001, Little Brown & Company,— Alex Engle