Are You the ONE?

I recently received an email from a good friend who is in Elementary Education, and is student teaching. She finds great books to read to her students, and came across the book One by Kathryn Otoshi. She suggested I read this and feature it in my blog, so here it is. The premise behind this beautiful story is so simple, yet so important and so relevant to today's children. So, if you have an opportunity, please check out this book, as well as some other books on the same premise I found.


Special thanks to Lena!

One

by: Kathryn Otoshi

Summary: This is a deceptively simple color and counting book that turns into a lesson on bullying. Whenever they meet, Blue is picked on by Red: "Red is HOT. Blue is NOT." The other colors like Blue but are intimidated by the bluster so they say nothing, and soon Red is bossing everyone around. But then One comes. It is funny and brave and confronts Red: "If someone is mean and picks on me, I, for One, stand up and say, No." All the other colors follow One's lead and become numbers too. Yellow is two, Green, three, etc. Red begins to feel left out and tries to bully Blue, but Blue ignores him and changes to Six: "Red can be really HOT,' he says, but Blue can be super COOL.'" The rest of the numbers stick up for Blue, but offer Red the opportunity to join in the counting, and all ends well. The book is well designed with bright colored circles and numbers on stark white pages accompanied by black print. The text is very simple but meaningful, and the moral is subtly told. Red is not ostracized but included in the game, and the essential point of one person making a difference is emphasized by the ending: "Sometimes it just takes One."

Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun: Having the Courage to Be Who You Are

by: Maria Dismondy

Summary: How can Ralph be so mean? Lucy is one of a kind and Ralph loves to point that out. Lucy's defining moment comes when Ralph truly needs help. Because she knows what she stands for, Lucy has the courage to make a good choice. This charming story empowers children to always do the right thing and be proud of themselves, even when they are faced with someone as challenging as Ralph.

Check out Maria Dismondy's Book Trailer on bullying and her books. Powerful stuff. 

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