Customer Reviews

Odd Velvet

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Velvet has a golden childhood. She finds beauty and joy in the smallest things and the simplest pleasures. Seemingly without any concern for peer group criticism, she carries on unaffected by the observations and mild teasings of the other children in her class. Eventually, of course, they come to appreciate Velvet's perspective, and the class princess even considers her a friend (no small feat in real life). The skewed perspective of the illustrations works to bring the focal point to the fore. Squatters at the back of the classroom's reading rug can easily see the most important detail without being distracted by other detritus on the page. This book is one of those high-demand repeats in our kindergarten and first grade classes. On a larger scale we adults yearn to meet the parents of this special child. We are left to wonder if the family is of lesser means, or if they have discovered the richness of a simple life by having had that "other life" before children came along. Either way, they must clearly have one of those home environments of love and acceptance that thoughtful parents strive for.

This book was given to my daughters (then ages 2 1/2 and 5) as a gift and continues to be a favorite a year later. They LOVE the pictures, which are charming and oddly appealing. The faces are multi-cultural as well. The books two messages are offered subtly but clearly. Velvet is confident in who she is and what she likes in spite of the other children -- what parent could hope for more! The other children, at first inclined to whisper about how "Odd" Velvet is, quickly become intrigued by, then enchanted with and eventually start to emulate Velvet and her so-called 'odd' (e.g. not like EVERYONE else) ways. This book is a simple yet a great way to open up discussions with children about the importance of both of these values. It's a favorite now on our 'to give' list.

When I was a full-time nanny for a little girl who felt that she "didn't quite fit in" with her peers, I found this book to be so very helpful. We discovered it by accident at a local library - and we borrowed it so much that we had to purchase it.

The book simply depicts an imaginative, slightly "odd" young girl who at first is resisted by her classmates and then - without having to change who she is - eventually becomes accepted by them. Most tales of this kind have the "odd" character performing some kind of special deed in an effort to redeem themselves in the eyes of those who resist them (i.e. Tacky the Penguin). But what I love about this book is that Velvet does not have to "save the day" in order for her classmates to accept her. She just remains her - and they eventually come around to thinking that she is pretty cool just the way she is.

I understand the criticism that the story is boring. I conceed that it is not particularly adventurous, humorous, etc. But it is a story of validation for those who are different.

Odd Velvet is a beautiful story to discuss with children. In fact, if you don't discuss it with your kids, they may miss some of the point of the story or even misunderstand it.

One of the messages in this book is simply that material things (like the biggest paint set, the most crayons, or performers at your birthday party) don't make you the best person. The little girl in this story comes from a family that doesn't play the materialism game, and she turns out to be a wonderful, bright, and special person after the kids get past staring at her hand-me-down clothes.

It's a great discussion starter for a conversation about how your child sees his or her classmates, what it really takes to have fun, why castles have moats, why a volcano produces ash, what makes a drawing of an apple look "real" (my 73 year-old mom had a 30 minute conversation with my 4 year old boy about light and shade in books and around the house after reading this book!).

Don't just read this book with your child, use it as a springboard for a wonderful conversation.

There's a Velvet in every kid's classroom... and this is a book that every kid should read! First of all, the illustrations are great--full of rich, bright colors, and the characters are just so cute! But also because this book holds a message that every kid should hear. Well, two messages, actually. First, be confident in who you are. Velvet sees the simple beauty of an apple; she sees worth in a common rock; and she understands that when you haven't got anything else, you've got your imagination. Even though the other kids don't understand her, that doesn't stop Velvet from being who she is and sharing her "magic" with the world. The second message comes when the other kids start to get to know Velvet and find out that she is really a lot of fun after all, even if she sees the world in a slightly different way than they do.

This book, along with its wonderful illustrations, shows kids that it's okay to be yourself, and that it is rewarding to get to know others (even if they're different!)... there's a lot of buried treasure out there hiding under a bit of Odd Velvet!

Beautifully drawn, and the message is important. The ironic tone may be lost on some children - it was certainly lost on some of the reviewers! Told from the perspective of an anonymous child in her neighborhood, Velvet is 'odd' for choosing quality and beauty over quantity and conformity. Her classmates ultimately learn by her example. The narrative style will be confusing to younger readers, but it's a hell of a better read for the parents than 'Sheep in a Jeep'! Good for a five year old.

There's a Velvet in every kid's classroom... and this is a book that every kid should read! First of all, the illustrations are great--full of rich, bright colors, and the characters are just so cute! But also because this book holds a message that every kid should hear. Well, two messages, actually. First, be confident in who you are. Velvet sees the simple beauty of an apple; she sees worth in a common rock; and she understands that when you haven't got anything else, you've got your imagination. Even though the other kids don't understand her, that doesn't stop Velvet from being who she is and sharing her "magic" with the world. The second message comes when the other kids start to get to know Velvet and find out that she is really a lot of fun after all, even if she sees the world in a slightly different way than they do.

This book, along with its wonderful illustrations, shows kids that it's okay to be yourself, and that it is rewarding to get to know others (even if they're different!)... there's a lot of buried treasure out there hiding under a bit of Odd Velvet!

I liked this one from the first page on. Now I have to admit to being a bit predjudicial here, as the little girl in this story could quite well have been my wife years and years ago when I knew her as a little girl. We have been married 44 years now, and she has not changed much...thank goodness. That being said, this is a wonderful little book to read with those special children (who actually will probably be the ones who end up running the world for us in a few years from now) that have problems fitting in with the other children at school The author and artist do a wonderful job here and both art work and text fit perfectly. This is not a thriller/page turner/bang, bang type book, and more power to it for being as such. The story is well told and leaves plenty of space so that the situation can be discussed with the child. I understand that this is the first work by both author and artist and I certainly hope we will see more like it coming down the line. Recommend this one highly.

This book is great to use at the start of the school year when your building your sense of community. I had my students make a small poster with their pictures in the center(we used a classroom digital camera). Then all around their picture they drew other things that made them different or should I say-UNIQUE! They shared two things with the class during our morning meeting. We all loved the book!

When I first pre-read this book, I felt a little teary eyed for Velvet, but then I realized how strong a little girl she is. I read it to a small group of children. It sends a great message - take pride in who you are. It shows children that all of us have some oddities that make us the individuals we are. It also teaches us that others will love us for our little quirks. This book is great for inclusion classes, for children on the autism spectrum, and for multi ethnic groups (where some practices may be seen as strange or funny).