Customer Reviews

Earl the EMU *God has a purpose for those who are different

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Earl the Emu is a great book for average and special kids because it teaches youngsters how to value others. The boy in the story, Jason, has a brace on his leg. While people with disabilities in stories are not as rare as they used to be, it still is not something we see regularly in a children's book. I think this gives kids with physical limitations and disabilities a story character they can identify with. Plus, the pictures of Earl the Emu with hurt feelings because Jason's farm animal friends make fun him are really easy for kids to grasp and so should make them think twice before making fun of others. Earl's wanting to be liked and not being accepted really touched my heart. So, this book gives parents a great opportunity to stress why we should be kind and fair to others. I am using the book to teach my neice and nephews about diversity.

The first book of the Earl the Emu series, "God Has a Purpose For Those Who Are Different" is a children's story about accepting people who are different. While Jason is visiting on the farm his grandfather brings home Earl the Emu. Of course he is not like anything the other animals on the farm have ever seen before and they make fun of him. Eventually Earl saves the day because of his difference and the other animals come to accept him as a friend. This is a fine story with a strong moral lesson and is a recommended purchase. However, it is not a book that holds a child's interest well because of the large ratio of words to pictures. With each book of the series author Pat Winston has gotten better and better and the illustrations have improved significantly in the third and fourth of the series. This book is important for those who are reading the series with children because it gives the answer to the question of how Earl got onto the farm in the first place and completes the collection. But don't expect the child to read it or to sit still while you do. After establishing interest with one of the other books come back to this one to fill in the gaps in the story.

I am a foster parent and I take in children with disabilities. Not all have liked church, not all have liked school, but all of them have loved this book. The message hits home. Also, one child took it to school for show and tell to get her point across as to what it's like being different. She finished her presentation, and the teacher sent a note home thanking us for this book. She now has one in here class room