It’s OK to be Different: A Children’s Picture Book About Diversity and Kindness

Literary Titan Gold Award Winning Book

Every Child is Unique! Whether they are big or small, short or tall, like to swim, dance, sing or bike. Perhaps they have a special need or are from a different ethnic background. Maybe they wear glasses or talk differently. The truth is that all children are different and their individuality should be celebrated, not shunned. And this inspiring and brightly illustrated rhyming picture book does just that.

By highlighting the ways kids are different from one another it helps children to accept themselves and others as the beautifully unique individuals that they are. It’s OK to be Different encourages kids to be kind and befriend those who are different from themselves, showing young children that they don’t have to look alike or enjoy doing the same activities to be kind to one another.

Readers will come away with the message: “You should always be kind to those who are different from you. Because to them, YOU are different too.”

As more children read this book and learn this concept, we can impact the world in a positive way while at the same time teach early literacy. This non-fiction book closes with a short survey for children about kindness and is a terrific way to help you start an age appropriate conversation about diversity.

It’s OK to be Different is a kid’s book that belongs in children’s book libraries alongside other popular children’s books like Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown because of the simplicity of the rhymes, the detailed illustrations and its uniquely powerful message about kindness and diversity.

Themes represented in this book include diversity, kindness, anti-bullying, racism and special needs.

So, if you are looking for a good children’s book for kids 2-4 or 3-5, or even children 6-8 with special needs, this colourful rhyming picture book is a great choice. And don’t be surprised if it quickly becomes a favourite they ask to read again and again.

One parent left a reader review that said: “Amazing. This really helped my child become more confident. I am really happy with how this book improved how she thinks about herself.” It’s OK to be Different is all about showing children that the things that make them different are the very things that make them, them. We are all human, but we are not all the same and the things that make us different are the things that make us, unique.

It’s the perfect gift book for both boys and girls preschool through grade 3. It helps parents and eduators start an age appropriate conversation about race, special needs and other ways adults and children are diverse. This book is also currently available in Spanish and will soon be available in French.

NOTE: The paperback, kindle editions were updated July 2020 and the hardcover was updated in August 2020. The updates included a dedicated dedication page and a few revised illustrations.

This title is also able in the following additional languages: Spanish, French and German.

Other Works by this author include: Kids Say and Do the Darndest Things (a parenting journal designed to capture all the crazy, silly, funny, serious and hilarious stuff your kid says and does. Kids Say and Do the Darndest Things is an interactive parenting journal with large fun speech bubbles, questions to ask your child and plenty of lined space for capturing all the greatest moments.) Click on the authors name at the top of this page to find titles from this author.