Thematic Reading List: Absolutely Me: A celebration of the unique in all of us
This book list for ages 4 to 8 celebrates qualities that we share and those that make us different.
Contributor: Elizabeth Bridges
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Stand Tall Molly Lou Mellon By: Patty Lovell Illustrated by: David Catrow First-grader Molly Lou Melon, short, buck-toothed, and clumsy, is nevertheless in possession of unshakable self-confidence that allows her to wow her classmates and even win over the class bully at her new school. |
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I Am Enough By: Grace Byers Illustrated by: Keturah A. Bobo A lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another. |
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The Skin You Live In By: Michael Tyler Illustrated by: David Lee Csicsko Rhyming text and illustrations celebrate being content with the skin in which one lives, whatever that skin might be. |
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Exclamation Mark By: Amy Krouse Rosenthal Illustrated by: Tom Lichtenheld A punctuation mark feels bad that he does not fit in with the others until a friend reveals the possibilities that exist when differences are accepted. |
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I’m Not By: Pam Smallcomb Illustrated by: Robert Weinsock A young girl discovers that best friends can enjoy and do well at different things as long as they are good at being friends. |
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The OK Book By: Amy Krouse Rosenthal Illustrated by: Tom Lichtenheld A character enumerates a great many things that it enjoys doing, although not great at any of them, knowing that someday it will excel at something. |
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Spoon By: Amy Krouse Rosenthal Illustrated by: Scott Magoon Spoon begins to wonder if Fork, Knife, and The Chopsticks have it much better than him, unaware that his friends are wondering the same thing about him. |
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Unlovable By: Dan Yaccarino Alfred, a pug, is made to feel inferior by a cat, a parrot, and the other neighborhood dogs until a new dog moves in next door and helps Alfred to realize he is fine just the way he is. |
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The Dot By: Peter Reynolds Vashti believes that she cannot draw, but her art teacher’s encouragement leads her to change her mind. |
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Be Who You Are By: Todd Parr This picture book encourages kids to be proud of what makes them unique, where they come from, and how they express themselves and see the world. |
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Red: A Crayon’s Story By: Michael Hall Red’s factory-applied label clearly says that he is red, but despite the best efforts of his teacher, fellow crayons and art supplies, and family members, he cannot seem to do anything right until a new friend offers a fresh perspective. |
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The Name Jar By: Yangsook Choi After Unhei moves from Korea to the United States, her new classmates help her decide what her name should be. |
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Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun By: Maria Dismondy Illustrated by: Kim Shaw-Peterson Even though a boy teases her at school for being different, Lucy dares to be herself and comes to the boy’s aid when he needs help. |
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Good Little Wolf By: Nadia Shireen Rolf is proud when his friend, Mrs. Boggins, calls him a good little wolf, but when the Big Bad Wolf teases him, Rolf tries to prove himself by howling at the moon and blowing down Little Pig’s house. |
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