Review by Booklist Review
In a conspicuous departure from the melting-pot multicultural books of the recent past, Richards' photo-rich picture book highlights the differences between people and affirms them as assets to be valued, not ignored. Created with pre- or emergent readers in mind, the book relies on visuals to communicate happiness and friendship among children who share interests although they are physically different from one another. Readers see photographs of curly-headed and straight-haired girls laughing together in their shared love of funky hats, and dark- and light-skinned buddies sipping sodas together. The text is celebratory and straightforward, calling out differences matter-of-factly and urging readers to see them, too. Richards encourages youngsters to not be color-blind and to listen to the stories that differences tell. The book ends with a plea to children to set an example for adults by forging friendships because of, not despite, differences create an unbreakable bond as you do the stuff you love thereby precluding the rifts borne later of ignorance and fear.--Chaudhri, Amina Copyright 2017 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-The author of I Wonder: Celebrating Daddies Doin' Work has written another powerful book for children celebrating differences. Expressive photos, collected from the followers of the author's Instagram account, demonstrate how youngsters engage in all types of activities. The images are cropped into fun shapes, fitting into colorful backgrounds. Each page starts with the question "What's the difference" and continues with "all that matters is...." Girls and boys of a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds demonstrate the concept that "understanding our differences will create an unbreakable bond." In Richards's words: "take a look at yourself. Your friends may not look like you, and that's a good thing. Because when it comes to love, keep showing that there really is no difference." VERDICT A timely addition to nonfiction collections and a perfect read-aloud for young students.-Annette Herbert, F. E. Smith Elementary School, Cortland, NY © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
What's the difference if your neighbor has blue eyes and yours are brown? All that matters is when your eyes see ice cream, you eat it together." Filled with likewise laid-back ruminations and color photos of children of diverse backgrounds enjoying the same activity, this book presents a light-handed positive message focusing on the strength of social bonding to counteract superficial differences. (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
