Synopses & Reviews
This heartwarming story explores the many ways in which children feel unique and special. Mrs. Matthews' first grade class begins making Christmas decorations, but because Jennifer is Jewish, Mrs. Matthews allows her to make Hanukkah decorations instead. Jennifer enjoys the attention and creates "The Only One Club," of which she is the sole member. When her classmates want to join, she is resistant until she realizes that each of her friends is also "the only one" at something. As she inducts them into her club she reveals the unique qualities that make each of her classmates extraordinary. Through this touching story, young children are encouraged to discover and treasure their own uniqueness and to actively look for special qualities in others beyond race or culture. A medley of pencil, watercolor, acrylic paint, and pastel illustrations bring this inspiring and humorous tale to life.
Review
"Jennifer turns her uniqueness into an asset ... a great lesson to share during this holiday season." Miami Herald
Review
"Friendly illustrations emphasize an upbeat and positive message about the value of differences and the importance of tolerance and acceptance." Midwest Book Review
Review
"Embraced by librarians and school teachers alike for its engaging storyline and its underlying message." The Franklin Journal (Maine)
Review
"Addresses diversity and uniqueness while recognizing a child's need to belong to the group. The story works beyond the holiday season, and multicultural classrooms can use the book as a springboard for discussion." —Children's Literature
Review
"[This book] will help educators and families encourage appreciation of self and others in young children." —Anti-Defamation League, selected as a Recommended Cultural and Anti-Bias Book for Children
Review
"Delightfully refreshing. . . . I strongly recommend this book for its readability and its high-quality treatment of a difficult subject." —Blether.com
About the Author
Jane Naliboff is the author of Kids Will Be Kids. She has published children's stories in Cricket, Hopscotch, and Spider. She lives in Vienna, Maine. Jeff Hopkins has worked as a museum educator for the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art, where he served as artist-in-residence for after-school art programs for K-2 students. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.