“My name is Carlos and I have no fur,” the kitty cat announces on the first day of school. Using schoolroom situations that every child will recognize, author Peter Goodman creates a gaggle of feline classmates who show the way to respect and friendship for Carlos the hairless cat, who faces the challenge of being different. With the support of his mother and teacher, Carlos discovers something on the inside that makes him just as unique as he is on the outside.
Popping illustrations and expressive characters bring the tale of Carlos and his friends to life. The first in a series that brings adults and children together to discuss important social issues—this one is exceptionally relevant, given the current focus on anti-bullying efforts in schools—the book includes discussion prompts and fun facts to help parents facilitate engagement and learning at story time.
Children will be entertained as they come to realize, with Carlos and his schoolmates, what matters most: the thing we all have in common is that we are all different.
A good lesson for children.
We're All Different but We're All Kitty Cats: First Day of School is said to be written for children 3 and up. Bang on target, I'd say. I read this book with my two children, 2 and 5. My five year old loved it (thus the 5 stars). My 2 year old quickly lost interest.
The plot centres around a hairless cat named Carlos and his attempt to fit in at school on the first day, despite being different in a more extreme fashion than everyone else. There are fat cats, thin cats, blue eyes cats, yellow eyed cats, cats that like tea and scooters (my child's favourite ones), jock cats and jokesters, but no other hairless cats. Honestly, I thought some of the characterisations a little cliche. The large football player cat is the bully and the only ones to stand up for Carlos and to examine their own response to his condition are the girls, for example. If bullying is bad, surely stereotyping is too.
Carlos quickly gets over being laughed at and bullied by proving himself intelligent (he likes to read books...is this another stereotype...he does wear glasses and suspenders). This felt like a very convenient conclusion to me and while Carlos is accepted by the others and learns to accept himself, the bully's behaviour is never really addressed.
All in all, I have some reservations about the story but I appreciate the lesson the it teaches and my age appropriate child liked it. Coupled with the lovely bright artwork I have no qualms about recommending the book
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.deannad414
Posted September 19, 2012
The first thing I noticed about this book is the bright, colorful, detailed pictures. Just looking at the pictures, you can see what the story is telling. The illustration is amazing. My son loved the pictures and analyzed each page.
The story shows how even though they are all kitty cats, they all look different and like different things. What a fun way to teach kids how people are different too. When one kitty gets laughed at and teased, we see how that makes him feel. This is another great lesson for kids to learn early on about how their actions or words can hurt another ones feelings.
My only complaint, which would’ve given this 5 stars, is that there should’ve been a lesson where the ‘bully’ apologized for his actions.
This book is published by dreamBIG press. At the end of the book they give you questions for you to talk over with your child, facts about kittys and other information about future kitty books.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and all opinions are my own.
danniejackson
Posted August 31, 2012
This is a compassionate look into a sensitive subject that kids and adults alike face today - but don't always know how to talk about... The kitty cats are adorable - and I think everyone can relate to or knows one of the kitty cat characters in the book! The illustrations are beautiful, and the message transcends age, generations...all and any differences do not matter when reading this Kitty Cats tail...
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Overview
“My name is Carlos and I have no fur,” the kitty cat announces on the first day of school. Using schoolroom situations that every child will recognize, author Peter Goodman creates a gaggle of feline classmates who show the way to respect and friendship for Carlos the hairless cat, who faces the challenge of being different. With the support of his mother and teacher, Carlos discovers something on the inside that makes him just as unique as he is on the outside.
Popping illustrations and expressive ...