Who We Are!: All about Being the Same and Being Different

K-Gr 2--Presenting several diverse families enjoying the various attractions at an amusement park, Harris explores the numerous ways that people are alike and different. Many examples are presented; for instance, while we all have many of the same body parts, those parts come in different shapes and sizes. The author provides an explanation of some of the causes of similarities and differences, such as genetics. Her concluding message is that no matter how different we may be, we all have feelings and that it is wrong to use differences put people down. Westcott's signature child-friendly cartoon illustrations support and expand the theme of the text. Crisp and clear, the images depict a variety of individuals--children in wheelchairs, a woman in a hijab, a man wearing a turban, and a boy wearing a yarmulke--and add charm and invite repeated examination. VERDICT A valuable addition to most collections and particularly useful as a springboard to antibullying discussions.--Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

This title continues Harris and Westcott's Let's Talk about You and Me series of books, which makes abstract concepts accessible to young readers and their adults. Their newest follows an interracial family through an amusement park—where better to find a kaleidoscope of humans?
—Booklist

Presenting several diverse families enjoying the various attractions at an amusement park, Harris explores the numerous ways that people are alike and different...Westcott's signature child-friendly cartoon illustrations support and expand the theme of the text. Crisp and clear, the images depict a variety of individuals—children in wheelchairs, a woman in a hijab, a man wearing a turban, and a boy wearing a yarmulke—and add charm and invite repeated examination.
—School Library Journal

Through the easily comprehended text, the colorful digital illustrations, and the insightful conversations between Gus and Millie, young children will come to understand the important message about people—no matter how similar and different they are, they are all very much the same. This story is an excellent tool for use in early elementary classrooms to discuss the similarities and differences of people.
—School Library Connection