It's Okay to Be Different - Todd Parr

Illustrated by the author
Megan Tingley Books, Little Brown & Co., 2001
HC $9.99
32 pgs
For:  kids
Rating:  4
Endpapers:  Solid purple

I think I'm going to use this book to introduce "Owning Up" this year.  Each of the pages highlights a way that people can be different and opens up all sort of conversation about differences which could lead easily into teasing and bullying.  I have lesson plans bouncing around my brain right now....

It's okay to be missing a tooth (or two or three)
It's okay to need some help (blind girl with seeing-eye dog)
It's okay to have a different nose (pink elephant with a long trunk)
It's okay to be a different color (normal zebra & colorfully striped zebra)

.....and many more......

Questions to ask PRE and/or POST reading (I think I'm going to do both.)::

How are you different?
Have you ever been teased or bullied about something?  What?
Be honest - have YOU ever teased or bullied someone about anything?  Explain.

R/A the book page by page, not quickly from beginning to end.  Perhaps have students respond in someway after each page, thinking about things they relate to, or what is he REALLY talking about....

After the reading and responses, I'd have kids brainstorm and pair up to come up with their OWN "It's okay to..." ideas.  

Create a class book adding pages for Parr's words that they illustrate differently and/or adding their own "it's okay" statements and illustrations.  OH!  And then I could coordinate with the kid's Hebrew class and write each line in Hebrew.  Brilliant!

The Earth Book - Todd Parr

Little Brown & Co., 2010
32 pages - one is a folded poster that can be detached
$9.99
ages 2-5
Thick cardboard cover with cut-out circle in the center
"Printed on recycled paper with nontoxic soy inks"

I really enjoy Todd Parr's simple messages and trademark drawings that somewhat remind me of Keith Haring's art. This book tells of the many ways each and every one of us can do our part ot help protect the earth. It's the perfect way to share this now-common knowledge with little ones. And it's a great reminder for us "bigger"ones that we really can do our part. Shut off the water, bring our own bags to the store, ride bikes, turn off the lights, recycle...and even write on both sides of the paper.

His dedication:
"To my mom and dad, for putting me on earth.
To Liz and Gerry for going to Las Vegas and to Megan for asking me if I had ever though about writing children's books." (Wouldn't you love to know what the Las Vegas refers to?)

Reading Makes You Feel Good - Todd Parr

Megan Tingley/Little Brown, 2005
Paper $6.99
32 pgaes

With his usual simplicity, Todd Parr celebrates books and the joy of reading in words and pictures. Bright bright colors. Simple drawings - a thick black line colored in with solid colors, but the whole page is covered, without a speck of white.

This could be written up as a poem and kids could brainstorm their own additions - or create their own new poem in a similar vein, on this subject or another.

"Reading makes you feel good because...
You can imagine you are a brave princess or a scary dinosaur
You can learn about cool places and people
You can make a new friend
You can do it anywhere!
Reading makes you feel good because....."

You get the idea.
I'd like to put some of these double-page spreads on the walls of my classroom.

The I Love You Book - Todd Parr

For: Babies and toddlers
Published: 2009
Rating: 4
Read: B&N 1/31/09
Cut-out heart cover

I love you when you are silly...sad...scared...brave. I love you when I am away, when we are cuddled up close, when you sleep, when you don't sleep. I love you when we dance, when we stroll, when you are sick, when you feel better, when you give me kisses, when you need hugs....and on it goes. It's all about unconditional love, and illustrated the only way Todd Parr can - closest thing to Keith Haring - thick black outlines with bright primary colors. This one's got hearts everywhere. Makes sense!

The Peace Book - Todd Parr

For: Kids
Genre: Poetry (It's an "IS" poem!)
Pub: 2004
Rating: 5/5
Finished: Aug. 10, 2008

I purchased this book on June 26th from the gift shop at the Oklahoma City National Memorial. That in itself makes this book special for me, since I was so moved by the museum. And I love this book. It is simple, the artwork is bold and colorful and reminds me somewhat of Keith Haring's work. For many years I've taught fifth graders how a simple "is" poem can be very meaningful and paint pictures with words. This book shows how beautifully it can be done, without triteness or sappiness. It makes you look at our world in a positive way.

"Peace is making new friends
Peace is keeping the water blue for all the fish
Peace is listening to different kinds of music
Peace is saying you're sorry when you hurt someone
Peace is helping your neighbor
Peace is reading all different kinds of books".... and so it goes

I can think of many ways of sharing this book, but I'm really looking forward to making a segment of my school's PASSPORT TO PEACE Day an activity using this book. Maybe Todd Parr could make a quick trip from Berkeley to Tucson to help us out???