Customer Reviews

The Only One Club

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When six-year-old Jennifer Jacobs' first grade class begins working on Christmas decorations, she quickly informs her teacher that she doesn't celebrate Christmas, but rather Hanukkah, for she is Jewish. Soon, Jennifer realizes that she is the only Jewish child in her class, and decides to make The Only One Club, in which she is the only member. However, as word gets around about her club, Jennifer begins realizing that there are many other children in her class, and in the school, who are the only one of something, and quickly makes badges for everyone in her class, informing them that they too can be a member of The Only One Club.

While I am not Jewish myself, I find that there are so few books on the market for Jewish children around the holidays. So I was quite awed by the arrival of Jane Naliboff's THE ONLY ONE CLUB. The prose is wonderful, and teaches children that everyone is unique, whether it's the color of their hair, or eyes, or their religion, or beliefs, while the illustrations by Jeff Hopkins couldn't be cuter. This is a lovely children's book to pick up this holiday season, whether you're Jewish or not.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

There are many beloved holiday-themed books in print. Most are read around the time of the holiday they're about. Jane Naliboff's THE ONLY ONE CLUB is a rare gem: it's a holiday book (Hanukah, Christmas) that can be enjoyed and appreciated any time of the year. Young readers will learn, along with the book's heroine, first-grader Jennifer Jacobs, that everyone is "the only one" of something, and that our differences can unite our spirits as much as our similarities.

THE ONLY ONE CLUB is vibrantly illustrated by illustrator Jeff Hopkins. The expressive faces of Jennifer and her friends draw my six-year-old into the story every time she reads it, and make her feel a part of their class - a member of Jennifer's THE ONLY ONE CLUB.

I am a pediatrician and have copies of this book in my exam rooms. It is the book most commonly commented on by parents as being a wonderful children's book.

Rebeccasreads highly recommends THE ONLY ONE CLUB about how a little Jewish girl, her teacher & a classroom of Christian children prepare for Christmas.

Delightfully illustrated by Jeff Hopkins, THE ONLY ONE CLUB (for ages 4-8) is a thoughtful look at how alike we all really are, even when we are so different!

Look at all these five-star reviews! This is simply an amazing book that cuts to the core of being a Jewish child in American schools then broadens the empathy to show how we all feel like we're the only one.

Differences in race, religion, politics, ideas and lifestyles have given birth to such an enormous amount of negative media these days. In the newspapers we read and the news programs we watch, we are suffocated by it all. What an absolute pleasure to read such a positive expression of being different. Jane Naliboff creates a beautiful story wonderfully written which should be required reading for all!

In The Only One Club, Jennifer Jacobs feels left out and different from every other kid at school. She is Jewish and her class is making decorations for Christmas. But, since Jennifer doesn't celebrate Christmas, her teacher lets her make something for Hanukkah. When she goes home from school, she decides to form a club for herself because she is the 'only one'. Now the other kids feel left out too - until they all figure out what is unique and special about each one of them. What a wonderful way to show children how truly special and one of a kind they are! I plan to use this book with my elementary school students who need a boost with their self-esteem!

This book takes a unique approach to differences. Instead of portraying a character who feels bad about being unusual, it starts with a character who is too full of pride about her exceptionality. Although Jennifer has a lesson to learn, still her pride inspires others to feel good about their own differences. I have included this book in my Gender Equality Bookstore, which features books for kids, all from small publishers, which help kids break out of gender stereotypes: [...]

..because he's my first cousin once removed. :) It's great to read how much other people who do not know him love his illustrations just as much as his family does. I have purchased one of these (as has my mother) for obvious reasons, but even if we were not relatives of the illustrator we would still love this book as it is everything everyone else has described; a wonderful story complemented by engaging pictures. My son is a big fan of this book.

The Only One Club explores our innate desires to be part of a group, all while we wish to celebrate our individuality.

Jennifer is in first grade and all the children are making Christmas decorations. When Jennifer wants to make Hanukah decorations her teacher encourages her in her project and allows her to proudly display her art. When she goes home that night she decides to start the "Only One Club" of which she is the only member.

"I want to be in it, too," Steven whined. "I must be the only one of something."

Soon all the children want to be in the club and start wearing badges to proclaim their individuality.

The Only One Club is a lovely book to teach children about diversity in a school setting. The art creates a multicultural setting and the true-to-life dialogue is creative and comforting.

~The Rebecca Review