Just a Little Different

I’ve bought this children’s book for my daughter. She soon memorized the tale and learned when to turn the pages at the right time even though she hasn’t started school and doesn’t know how to read yet.

Some of my friends thought I’ve already taught her to read. She’d get this book from her small bookshelf (next to mine, filled with various titles and genres meant for research and reading pleasure). With a huge smile, she’d turn the pages and start telling the story to them by using the exact words written on the pages of the book.

The lesson incorporated into this tale for kids is about learning how to value one’s “uniqueness” and “embracing others’ differences”. It encourages kids to see that differences are show more special. The lesson is not forced. Rather, it is told in an engaging tale that a child could easily grasp and remember even as she grows older. I like this book because of that and because it has been an instrument in starting my daughter off to her own “reading” journey as she explores the magical charm of the written word. Her tastes in literature became more varied through the years, but she has kept this as one of her favorites. show less

This is a little golden book story about a new critter named Zack who just moved into Little Critter's neighborhood. Zack has trouble making friends at first because the other critters think he is too different because he is half rabbit and half turtle. Little Critter, on the other hand, becomes good friends with him and finds that they have alot in common. Eventually, the other critters realize that even though Zack might be a little different than them, that he should not be excluded because of it.
I think this is a great book to read to children of all ages on any day because it deals with accepting people for who they are despite their differences. I think this an important concept for all children to remember when meeting new show more people; therefore, I think the first day of school is the perfect time to read it to children. Another good time to read it to children is when they are learning about the various backgrounds of different people. show less

"Just A Little Different" is a great book about accepting people for who they are. Zack moves to a new town and is not accepted by the other children because he is different. His father is a turtle and his mother is a rabbit. One of the critters befriends Zack and they build a playhouse together. Zack let the other critters play too and they all became friends. This shows good character because Zack was still nice to them even though they were mean to him in the beginning.

Summary: a new critter has joined the town, but this critter is different. His dad is a turtle, but his mother is a rabbit. The main character tries to convince his friends that the new kid should play with them only to realize they don't want to because he is too different. The critter then plays with the new kid Zack and realizes that he and Zack like a lot of the same things. When they decide to build a clubhouse, his friends want to join, and Zack allows them. The group of friends all get along at this point and Zack is still the critter best friend even though he has new friends.

Reaction: I feel like this would be a really good book for getting new students in the classroom, and it's a really good life lesson. Even though someone show more may be seen as too different, it doesn't mean that they aren't really cool people that you could get along with.

Extension: I would actually use this in my classroom after two or three months of the children getting to know me. One day I would come into class dressed different and see the reactions of the students. I would read the book and demonstrate myself that even though I'm dressed differently I'm still the same teacher that's fun! show less

I think that this is a great book about how differences are good, not bad. I think it could do a somewhat better job of teaching just why differences are good, but for getting the point across that they *are* better, it does a great job. It was a fun book, and I'm glad that we checked it out.

This is a great book to read to early elementary school students to show how to accept people who are different than you.

Just A Little Different is a great book for students in a diverse classroom. Critter makes friends with Zack, who is half rabbit and half turtle. Critter's friends do not like Zack at first because he is different than all of them, but Critter doesn't care. Critter makes friends with Zack and they become best friends. Towards the end of the story Critter's old friends want to become friends with Zack too so they all become friends and everyone likes Zack at the end of the story.