One of These Is Not Like the Others

by Barney Saltzberg

Overview

"Points out the differences between subjects and celebrates them"--

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780823445608
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	03/03/2020
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	10.10(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	2 - 5 Years

About the Author

Barney Saltzberg is the author of over 40 books for children, including Hug This Book, Beautiful Oops! and the bestselling Animal Kisses series, with over 800,000 copies in print. He's recorded four albums of songs for children and lives in Los Angeles.

Editorial Reviews

2019-12-22
Saltzberg upends traditional spot-the-difference design.

A carefully chosen set of four objects is offered—most similar but not quite the same and sometimes vastly different. Three cows and one elephant? The titular phrase comes in handy. "One of these is not like the others." But the page turn reveals all four clasping hooves and trunk and celebrating: "And that's just fine with us." Three dogs and one cat? "One of these is not like the others." The cat's nervous mien prompts misdirection to assumptions of stereotypical cat-and-dog relationships. "But we can still be friends." Saltzberg goes on to compare more surprisingly visually similar items, such as three cowboy hats and a fish rising from a puddle, mouth agape, to mimic the outline of the headwear. The fish is then wearing all the hats in the following spread: "Because you can never have too many hats." Placed on a blank white canvas, the sets are simple and uncluttered. Young readers will jump at the chance to point out the differences. But those differences are what are celebrated! It's impossible to not hum the Sesame Street song of similar wording, but instead of not belonging, the different objects are accepted and embraced. "Some of us are a little different. // And that's the way we like it!"

Subversive and clever, this book challenges readers to change habits of thought. (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews

"A perfect read-aloud that celebrates the joy of embracing differences."—Booklist

"[A] winsome spin on the spot-the-difference concept while sending, with humor, the missive that diversity and collaboration are to be unequivocally celebrated."—Publishers Weekly

"Young readers will jump at the chance to point out the differences. But those differences are what are celebrated! . . . Subversive and clever, this book challenges readers to change habits of thought."—Kirkus Reviews

"Using amusing illustrations and simple couplets, Saltzberg celebrates differences. . . . The generous use of white space lets the humorous cartoon illustrations really pop."—School Library Journal
 
"The art uses plenty of white space to good effect, placing the guileless creatures front and center and allowing viewers to notice variation. Upon not-that-close examination, for example, we see that none of the supposedly matching figures is exactly the same in appearance, behavior, or both, a point that gently underscores the text’s welcome be-yourself message." —The Horn Book
 
"Fans of Sandra Boynton’s artwork and humor will love this cheerfully animated tribute to individuality. Penguins, pandas, cows, and a variety of surprise creatures line up against a stark white backdrop for comparison. Each spread features three things that are just alike, and one that is decidedly different. Rabbits and a bicycle? Snails and an alien? Find out how they all fit together in this quirky, good time celebration that stands up for standing out."—Foreword Reviews

From the Publisher