The Same But Different (Picture Puffins) [Paperback]

Tessa Dahl (Author), Arthur Robins (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1993 | Series: Picture Puffins

The author of School Can Wait offers a book that "fairly bursts with vitality" (School Library Journal). Children will enjoy seeing their familiar routines done in different ways, as each member of a young girl's family exhibits his own special way of getting up, getting dressed, and getting breakfast. Full-color, cartoon-like drawings throughout.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Clover's family starts the day by getting up, dressing and grabbing a quick breakfast. On the surface, everyone is doing the same thing, but no one is doing it in quite the same way. When it comes to underwear, every member of the family has his or her preference. "Mommy" dons a bra and panties while "Daddy" wears boxer shorts. "Granny" wears bloomers, "Grandpa" buttons up his long johns and Clover wears an undershirt with her underpants. Readers see that "Clover sits on her little potty, baby Luke has his diaper changed. Daddy stands up." Other events of the day are contrasted, including the family's bedtime habits. The exploration of the concept of "same but different" is aptly geared to very young children, enhanced by touches of humor conveyed in zesty cartoon illustrations. The use of an extended family with varying routines and needs adds interest. Ages 2-6.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-- A family wakes up and goes through the day. Baby, kindergartner, parents, grandparents, cat, and dog bathe, eat, relieve themselves, work, and play, each according to his age and role in life. (Before bed ``Granny braids her hair and soaks her teeth. . . . Mommy puts her hair in curlers and brushes her teeth. Clover has a wobbly tooth! Grandpa doesn't have many teeth or much hair--and neither does Luke!'') With such a simple concept, the illustration takes on special importance. Enter Robins, who has not departed from his typical broad comic style ( Where Did I Come From? Lyle Stuart, 1973 , Sweet Dreams and Monsters Crown, 1986 , etc.). The book fairly bursts with vitality and Robins' special unrepressed view of the world. Parents or teachers who might want to share a book such as this with young children are likely to consider Robins' cartoon of Granny pulling up her bloomers or Mommy putting on her bra and panties more appropriate to Mad magazine readers than to preschoolers. Otherwise this good-natured glimpse of how we all function should prove entertaining to those with young and open minds. --Ann Stell, The Smithtown Library, N.Y.

Copyright 1989 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (March 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140548238
• ISBN-13: 978-0140548235
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7.8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,921,854 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for kids, wonderfully offbeat -makes you laugh too!, September 16, 2002

By 

"lynkfri13" (Waltham, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Same But Different (Picture Puffins) (Paperback)

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This book, at first glance, is no different from any other toddler/preschool book about the daily routine of a family.

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When you read it, though, the little differences in daily routine between mom, dad, granpa, daughter and baby, are described in a way that is witty and wacky. They will vary between tickling your funny bone to laugh out loud humor. This tounge in cheek humor at the different perspectives of normal daily routines done by grandma , dad or baby, is very insightful, and the kids loved it.

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As the family gets dressed, we observe the differences in underwear, from baby's diapers, to grampa's long Johns. We see how the family members differ in going to work or school for the day, eating dinner, etc. The wonderful illustrations support the tongue in cheek wit. Toddlers and preschoolers may be old enough to find it amusing, or they may be young enough still to appreciate the fact that this book doesnt ignore the little details of reality that are fascinating to kids: like the fact that dad stands up at the toilet, while baby still wets his diapers. I don't know who enjoyed reading this book more, me or the kids!