It's Okay To Be Different [Paperback]

Todd Parr (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

It's okay to need some help.
It's okay to be a different color.
It's okay to talk about your feelings.
It's okay to make a wish...

It's Okay to Be Different cleverly delivers the important messages of acceptance, understanding, and confidence in an accessible, child-friendly format featuring Todd Parr's trademark bold, bright colors and silly scenes. Targeted to young children first beginning to read, this book will inspire kids to celebrate their individuality through acceptance of others and self-confidence.

Along with the four other bestselling Todd Parr picture books debuting in paperback this season, It's Okay to be Different is designed to encourage early literacy, enhance emotional development, celebrate multiculturalism, and promote character growth.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

For anyone who ever doubted it, Todd Parr is here to tell us all that it's okay to be different. With his signature artistic style, featuring brightly colored, childlike figures outlined in heavy black, Parr shows readers over and over that just about anything goes. From the sensitive ("It's okay to be adopted"--the accompanying illustration shows a kangaroo with a puppy in her pouch) to the downright silly ("It's okay to eat macaroni and cheese in the bathtub"), kids of every shape, size, color, family makeup, and background will feel included in this gentle, witty book. In this simple, playful celebration of diversity, Parr doesn't need to hammer readers over the head with his message.

Parr is well known for his funky feel-good titles, including Things That Make You Feel Good/Things That Make You Feel Bad, Underwear Do's and Don'ts, and This Is My Hair. (Ages 3 to 6) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

arr (The Okay Book) combines rainbow colors, simple drawings and reassuring statements in this optimistic book. His repetitive captions offer variations on the title and appear in a typeface that looks handcrafted and personalized. A fuschia elephant stands against a zingy blue background ("It's okay to have a different nose") and a lone green turtle crosses a finish line ("It's okay to come in last"). A girl blushes at the toilet paper stuck to her shoe ("It's okay to be embarrassed") and a lion says "Grr," "ROAR" and "purrr" ("It's okay to talk about your feelings"). Parr cautiously calls attention to superficial distinctions. By picturing a smiling girl with a guide dog ("It's okay to need some help"), he comments on disability and he accounts for race by posing a multicolored zebra with a black-and-white one. An illustration of two women ("It's okay to have different Moms") and two men ("It's okay to have different Dads") handles diverse families sensitively this could cover either same-sex families or stepfamilies and also on the opposite page, a kangaroo with a dog in its pouch ("It's okay to be adopted"). He 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. All ages.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 1 Reprint edition (April 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316043478
• ISBN-13: 978-0316043472
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 0.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,076 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( P )
  • #3 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Situations > Self-Esteem & Self-Respect
  • #4 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Teens > Health, Mind & Body > General

More About the Author

I like the fog
I like sea lions
I like to paint
My favorite color is Blue
My favorite food is macaroni and cheese


I spent my childhood in a small town in Wyoming. It was a great place to grow up but I knew the world was out there waiting for me.

In high school, art was a passion of mine, but I failed art class. Because of that failure, I lacked the self-confidence to pursue it further. But it wasn't all my teachers fault.

I worked at many things before finally coming back to my original dream of painting, but again I faced rejection. Despite the rejection, I continued on with my work because I knew being an artist was what I wanted to do with my life.

After not having success with galleries, I was able to show my work at one of Wolfgang Puck's restaurants, Postrio, in San Francisco, where I have lived for the past 13 years. With a little luck and persistence, this exhibit led to many other things, like creating merchandise for Macys, and then on to my own line of clothing for kids.

I first got into children's publishing in 1998. I was able to take the messages that are part of my art and put them in a simple reading about acceptance, differences and empowerment for kids to feel better about themselves in a simple, fun way.

I have a lot of fun creating my books and I'm proud to know they are helping someone feel better about themselves in a silly, fun way.

Here are some of the fun, cool things that have happened to me and my books:

My work was displayed in the windows of FAO Schwarz in NYC and San Francisco, with interior displays of some of my product, including my first four books.

Todd Parr Shops within Toys R Us Japan were launched at all 101 stores with products exclusively available in Japan.

My Books have won several awards and have been featured on The Rosie O'Donnell show. Currently I have written and illustrated 28 books with two more for 2007 and 2008.

In 2004, I appeared in a Panasonic commercial and print ad.

I have partnered with Target, Reach Out and Read, People Magazine and several other organizations to promote reading.

In November 2005, my children's preschool show, ToddWorld premiered on TLC and Discovery Kids. The show has since been nominated for an Emmy and has won several other awards including the iParenting Media Award and the 2005 Humanitas Award for the episode entitled "Who's Your Best Friend"?. The Bronze medal in the New York Film Festival and an award for "Pizza on Earth" in the Chicago International Children's Film Festival. ToddWorld is now airing in almost every country around the world with a second season is in the works.

With the support of my family, especially my Dad and Grandma, I have been very successful but I do have another passion. I'd like to own my own restaurant!

As my Grandma used to say:
"You're a little lost now but I know you'll find your way".

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Children DO deal with these issues, December 27, 2004

By 

a reader (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It's Okay To Be Different (Hardcover)

I am a Lutheran Church librarian in Florida who bought this book for our church library. I think the work of every child is to figure out where he/she fits in the world. Why are some people this way and others that way? Is one way right and one way wrong? As we grow older we realize that there is right and wrong and also many shades of grey. We call this ethics. That is not really what this book is about. This book is about differences that children perceive and wonder about: differences in appearance--tall, short, chubby, thin, physical challenges, racial differences, and silly little things like freckles or hair color or wearing braces or glasses. I think Parr's heart is definitely in the right place. He tries to send to our kids a message of acceptance of these sorts of superficial differences but which kids (and adults) often blow way out of proportion. He's trying to at least let all kids begin life on an even playing field. Instead of seeing such traits and characteristics as detriments this book recommends that we just consider them unique traits and no big deal. This is a good message.

Most of the reviewers who dislike this book take it as a comment on ethics when I do not think that is really what it is meant to comment on. We all know that there are things that are right (telling the truth, being good peaceful neighbors, etc.) and things that are definitely wrong (lying, taking a weapon to school, child abuse, etc.) But this book is not about that. It is on a much, much simpler level. Since most children learn bigotry and prejudice by the age of THREE (!) it is imperative that we "bigot-proof" them very early in their lives, preferably before they begin school. This is a book meant for early childhood, when children become more aware of differences and wonder about them. Just take it at that level. And if you do not like to eat macaroni in the bathtub, then for heaven's sake, discuss it with your child!!! That is what books are for--to promote dialogue and thought. If eating macaroni in the bathtub is the oddest thing your kid ever does in life, you do not have a very curious or flexible child!

As a former art teacher, I like the bold colors and drawings--very nice. I think most kids who read this book come away with a rather happy attitude about the message. Most would probably think it whimsical with a hint of truth.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book about different types of diversity, September 5, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: It's Okay To Be Different (Hardcover)

This book has quickly been added to my story time collection. The illustrations are bright, colorful and charming for reading aloud or simply browsing. Children are reminded that it's okay to be different, no matter what their differences or similarities. While tolerance of others is one of the themes, self-acceptance is the most important message. This is a great book for showing that differences are perfectly fine and acceptable. The book does not reek of politically correct messages as much as it comforts us that being different is just fine. I, as an adult, liked myself a little better after I read it the first time. I think children will feel the same way.

A friend of mine took the book to read at her local children's hospital where it was a big hit with the patients who often feel very different. This is a must for any library, big or small.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I agree, It IS OKAY TO READ THIS BOOK! ..and to be you..., April 1, 2002

By 

"royal_guard_elite" (NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It's Okay To Be Different (Hardcover)

Maybe some people's kids like reading old stuff like aesops fables..stuff that doesn't relate to the REAL WORLD. BUT MOST kids in TODAY'S WORLD have issues. Issues like- why do I have freckles and why do I have curly hair and why do I wear glasses and why can't I be like her... or him ...or them! That's why this book is SO WONDERFUL..it teaches a wonderful lesson - IT'S OKAY..TO BE DIFFERENT, IT'S OKAY TO BE YOU! This is certainly an enriching book for any child - it builds self esteem, self confidence, and shows kids how everyone can be different, but that's what makes us special!...