Review: It’s okay to be different
“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!”
So says author/illustrator Todd Parr’s whimsical book “It’s Okay to be Different” (Little Brown) that 
celebrates diversity in all its forms. Perfect for children in pre-school to grade 2, this book boasts Parr’s signature bright, childlike drawings and an optimistic, upbeat attitude. I especially appreciate the way the book mixes the superficial and mundane (”It’s okay to dance by yourself.”) with weightier issues (”It’s okay to have different moms.”). Says Publisher’s Weekly, “[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.”
Use this book as a tool to begin discussions about diversity with young children.
Carmen Van Kerckhove is co-founder and president of 
Lea wrote:
He has many great books for kids! We have several of them.
Posted 11 Jul 2008 at 8:28 am ¶
Psychobabbler wrote:
We love this book, as well as Parr’s THE FAMILY BOOK! One word of warning for parents, however: Be prepared to deal with the page “It’s okay to eat macaroni and cheese in the bathtub.” If your kid is like mine, you will soon be confronted with explaining why that’s not going to happen any time soon at our house…
Posted 11 Jul 2008 at 8:33 am ¶
d.i.s.l. wrote:
The Pumpkin, who’s 3, has loved that one for a while now. And she gets excited when she recognizes other Todd Parr books at the bookstore. Of course, she also thinks it’s incredibly hilarious that it ends with, “Love, Todd.”
Posted 11 Jul 2008 at 10:57 am ¶
Veronica wrote:
I love that book…except the eating macaroni in the bathtub. hehe…But it does give a good opening to be silly with the kid.
Posted 11 Jul 2008 at 11:29 am ¶
Michelle wrote:
This is a popular book at my house too! My girlfriend loves it for her daughter for two reasons–it’s Ok to wear glasses and it’s Ok to have no hair (I think that’s the line) Good stuff!
Posted 11 Jul 2008 at 1:28 pm ¶