For Pete's Sake (edition 1998)

Genre: Through the fantasy of this book, the reader is able to hear the life of the flamingo. This fantasy is displayed through the communication of the flamingo's and the crocodile.

Media: college

Use: lesson on differences in people, lesson on observation ( )

Pete is a green crocodile who wants to be pink like his flamingo friends. They tell him he is probably just unripe. He points out he has four legs and they have two. They tell him he's probably just lucky. He then notices he doesn't have feathers. They say feathers grow slowly. He's slow, they're fast. All of which is making Pete very unhappy. But then one day strangers arrive -- other green strangers with four legs and no feathers. Ends with: "I'm different but the same," he told the others. "Well for Peter's sake, Pete," they said. You always have been."

This is a wonderful book about acceptance. I love the idea of an alligator who thinks he is a flamingo and I love the way the flamingos fully accept him as he is. At the end of the story the flamingos acknowledge that they have known Pete is different all along but they fully accepted him long ago. His differences seem inconsequential to them, never raising the issue themselves but providing comforting (amusing!) explanations when Pete becomes aware his differences. The flamingos just want to get on with playing.
Oh, if only people could be like this!
This simple book is truly a gem. ( )