I'm Different. SO WHAT?!

This book is actually *incredibly* useful, educational, and realistic! Right off the bat, one of the things that I really appreciated is this book doesn't tell kids to automatically forgive bullies. Rather, this book encourages kids to take time to forgive bullies, or to not hang out with them at all. Not word-for-word, this book says: "not everyone is going to be your best friend, and that's ok". This is absolutely amazing because people often tell kids to reconcile and be merry. This is especially common in school systems, even thought it's highly unrealistic and not particularly healthy. Major kudos for this!

As for the educational aspect, my reaction is similar. It's utterly flawless! This book manages to teach readers numerous things in a short amount of time, without overwhelming the reader. The activities in the back of the book cover multiple topics: recall, literary devices/elements, and very basic critical thinking. I know for a fact this this book is going to be *fundamental* for so many kids, and I can't express enough how perfect this book is.

Kids will definitely pick up on Ace's productive behaviors, and these behaviors will take them far. Shannon Karasti - Reviewer

This is a very sweet story with a beautiful message! I was drawn to this book because English Bulldogs are my favorite breed of dogs, so I was happy to see this breed as the star. Ace is a wonderful character who never waivers in who he is and is willing to stick up for himself and find the people who see value in who he is. This is a fabulous book for children to remind them that they won't always be the same as others, but yet to find joy in who they are. I really enjoyed it and recommend this story to parents and teachers to help reinforce this message. Melanie Keating - Reviewer

I'm Different. So What?! starts out with a story about dogs who are having issues with teasing at the dog park. The situation can be easily applied to playground dynamics. The main dog works through the situation with various strategies. After the story, tips for kids and parents are listed. It wraps up with an activity book that goes along with the story. This could be easily utilized in an early elementary classroom setting. Nellie McCarthy - Reviewer

I'm Different, So What?! by ID Simpson is an engaging and uplifting book that encourages readers, particularly young ones, to embrace their individuality and celebrate what makes them unique. The book delivers a positive message about self-acceptance and confidence through simple but meaningful affirmations. The repetition of the phrase "I'm different" is a potent reminder that being unique is something to be proud of rather than hide. Including interactive activities, such as the dog chew ring puzzle featuring characters Ace and Duke, adds a playful element to the read. These activities not only make the book more engaging but also subtly reinforce the core message of individuality by offering fun challenges that encourage problem-solving and creativity. Carol Thompson -Reviewer