Different Just Like Me

by Lori Mitchell

Book Overview

Young April is excited about visiting Grammie, but she has a whole week before she can go. The week goes by quickly, however, as April encounters new and diverse people while she runs errands with her... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1570914907
• ISBN13: 9781570914904
• Release Date: July 2001
• Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 10.0" x 7.7"
• Age Range: 5 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Kindergarten to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

A great discussion starter for difficult topics

When I first read Different Just Like Me I thought to myself, "What a wonderful book and what a great way to begin discussions in my classroom about respecting each others' differences". Never did I dream that this book would have the impact it had on my third grade class.The converstaions that were stimulated by this book were phenomenal! I was so impressed by how the book was able to open the door to the difficult topic of differences and acceptance. Children began to share their own experiences of times they felt left out or different. Children spoke about times when they felt uncomfortable around someone who was different then they were and they were unsure of how to handle that. I learned that my students had so many questions. They had finally found a safe opportunity to begin asking these questions. The children continued to refer to the book and make textual connectionns with this book throughout the year. It was obvious that the story had made a big impact on the children. Besides teaching a third grade class I also teach the Mainstreaming class for teachers at San Diego State University. I have reccommended this book to many teachers in the class as an avenue to begin the discussion about diversity in the classroom. I have heard such positive results from many of the teachers about how helpful it was to start the discussion with this book.

Core Values

In this book, Ms. Mitchell talks about one of the core values I wish to instill in my son. She is reminding us all to look beyond what is on the outside. A powerful message beautifully done.

The perfect message

I originally bought this book because I have vitiligo too, but I'll read it to my daughter for many years because of the important message it conveys. This book is also a pleasure to look at and I've enjoyed it very much. I hope that this will help teach my daughter, and others who read it, that everyone is different and that these differences must be celebrated! "Different Just Like Me" makes me feel good every time I read it.

Essential reading for all teachers and their students!

Every teacher works with students who feel different in one aspect or another. This book touches the heart of all of these children and gives them new confidence. My class loved it and felt the message!

Absolutely outstanding book for all kid's self-esteem

I purchased this book for my six-year old daughter after a friend so highly recommended it. We both just LOVE it! The concept of not only accepting but celebrating everyone's own individuality is exactly what we try to teach our own daughter. The text is easy to understand, but doesn't talk down to kids. The unique black and white illustrations with only the people in color just reinforces the similarity of all these different people. Your eye is not distracted by the background. It focuses immediately on the individuals that the main character, April, comes in contact with. My daughter, who is about April's age, constantly asks questions as to why people are different colors, sizes & shapes, in wheelchairs, blind etc. She is fascinated by these differences. Ms. Mitchell's book does such a beautiful job of presenting these differences but also pointing out the numerous similarities as well. The highlight for me was when my daughter proudly announced she could "sign" her name using sign language she learned while reading the book in bed one night.I think it is an absolutely beautiful book with such a loving message. I can't wait to tell my friends about it. We now eagerly await Ms. Mitchell's next book.