Just a Little Different

by Gina Mayer and Mercer Mayer

Book Overview

A new kid has moved in next door to Little Critter and his family. He's a nice kid but he's just a little bit different: his mother is a rabbit and his father is a turtle. This timely story about... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0307160092
• ISBN13: 9780307160096
• Release Date: March 1998
• Publisher: Golden Books
• Length: 24 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.9" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 3 to 5 years

Customer Reviews

Aren't we ALL a little different?

What a charming way to introduce the subject of differences among people/characters! The message was lovingly presented and could easily be accepted by even then youngest readers: We're all a little "different".

Our Differences make us special

title appealed to me as the parent to two special needs children. I saw the cover and placed the book in my cart at the store when purchasing videos. We have a collection of a Little Golden Book stories, as well as numerous books by Gina and Mercer Mayer. The book is written from the Little Critter's perspective beginning with the arrival of the new neighbor Zack and his family. Zack has rabbit ears like his Mother with a turtle shell like his Father. The two families greet one another by shaking hands on the front lawn. The girl critters have bows in their hair and the Mothers always have an apron on. Later in the day the critters have baseball practice when the subject about asking Zack to join gets shot down. The little critter speaks to his parents about how his friends made him mad by rejecting Zack. His Mother explains the good in being different. This family discussion takes place in the living room with the dog sleeping on the floor and the mouse and cat at the top of the couch. The Father has a magazine in his lap with the Mother laying a book on her lap. The expressions on their faces are very thorough showing the father thinking with his arm on his knee. Just A Little Different shows how even kids at first make judgements based on looks and similarities. This helps in showing how to reach out to others that may be different in appearance and the positive results once you get to know someone. The message is clear that persistence pays off and the family comes together to discuss how the critter feels in the beginning. The book shares the point that one person/critter can make a difference in how they perceive others. Once all the critters stopped looking at Zack and saw him for the fun person he was they got past the first impressions. There are many lessons in this short book that is easy to read and follow along with great pictures of the critters and surroundings. Each book in the Mayer's Little Critter series sends a message and offers tips for living life in various situations. Whether a new baby is arriving or time spent with a parent or a book about feelings, these are worth so much more than the small price tag placed on them.

Help for parents of biracial kids with questions

I am a single mom of an "almost" four year old (as my daughter would say)biracial child. Although I live in a pretty diverse city (Philadelphia), there exists much ignorance, prejudice and real cruelty with respect to the questions, stares and comments people make when I am with my daughter. Even as far as going to parks and people thinking I am the au pair for my child. Despite the growing number of biracial children being born, some people still don't get it. My daughter has started making observations about her skin tone being different than mine, her eyes being different than mine, etc. This book was a wonderful way for me to start talking with my child about why she is different than children who are "all black" or "all white" and that there's nothing wrong with her...that sometimes people are just unsure. I use this book to let her know that being biracial is actually pretty darn special. That she has the best of both worlds in terms of culture and ethnicity...and to teach her to embrace that and not be upset by other's ignorance. The book helped me to teach her that as long as she continues to be her beautiful, lovable, fun self, people who are worth being friends with will be honored to be her friends....for the rest of the crowd who doesn't....it's their loss.I would HIGHLY recommend this book to parents of biracial children.Holly in Philly.

Be kind to others who are different than you

I bought this book because my 5 year old son goes to a school with very little diversity, not by design, but due to geography. He now understands that being different isn't a bad thing. It is the differences that make each of us special. I wanted to stress to him that just because someone looks different doesn't mean he/she cannot be your friend. It's hard to be the new kid and look different. I hope now my son will not shy away from someone who is different, and rather, invite him/her into his activities and get to know him/her. In the book, the Little Critter discovered that the new kid, Zack, was fun and stuck with him even when his friends shyed away.