The Okay Book | Todd Parr | Dream Big but Skip the Fish

The Okay Book | Todd Parr | okay with the kids

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The Okay Book

	The Okay Book Todd Parr L,B Kids, 2004 - 24 pages average customer review:based on 13 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Is it okay to be short? Is it okay to wear two different socks? Read this book and find out! Full color.

Dream Big but Skip the Fish

In the "Okay Book," Todd Parr uses simple drawings with vibrant, primary colors to illustrate his supportive and educational messages for kids. The messages fall into 4 categories. We have the pro-self-esteem messages: "It's okay to be short," "it's okay to have freckles," "it's okay to wear glasses," "it's okay to wear what you like," "it's okay to have no hair," "it's okay to be skinny," "it's okay to be big." Second, we have emotional/behavioral themes: "it's okay to be scared," "it's okay to share," "it's okay to try new things," and, in a paraphrase of the great Rosie Grier, "it's okay to cry." Third, we also have the tolerance/broadmindedness messages: "it's okay to come from a different place" (illustrated with a martian in a UFO hovering outside Saturn), "it's okay to live in a small house," and "it's okay to be a different color." Finally, there is a fourth category of silly, cutesy messages which are sprinkled in to enhance the kid-friendliness and keep it from being too heavy-handed: "it's okay to wear two different socks," "it's okay to eat all the frosting off your birthday cake," "it's okay to hang out in the rain," "it's okay to sing out loud," and "it's okay to put a fish in your hair."

That last one troubles me. Every time I see it, I have a visceral reaction to that. In my mind, it is actually not okay to put fish in your hair. However, take that with a grain of salt. I have been criticized for missing to point of kids books in my reviews when I make comments like that. In fact, in response to my review of "Chimp and Zee," where I called for primatological correctness (Chimps are not monkeys and they don't have tails!), Mr. Anholt emailed me and said, in part, "I defend the importance of creative invention and I am rarely sloppy - I hope you are not being dogmatic or literal-minded in your judgement. (sic)" I should also note that the overall tone of Mr. Anholt's letter was very congenial and charming, and I do recommend his books.

The "Okay Book" is a very nice book, particularly for preschoolers. It delivers important messages of tolerance and acceptance but strikes enough of a balance between goofiness and preachiness to not feel like a lesson. It concludes well with a nice sendoff, "it's okay to dream big."

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okay with the kids

My kids love to read and laugh with this book. The pictures are fun and the colors are so bright. I am about to buy the 3rd copy, a board book would work better for my 2 year old. My 3 and 1/2 year old loves to prend to read to her brother. Fun for all. We also like Things that make you feel good and things that make you feel bad, it is great for play acting out the book.

Great, Vibrant Book...

This book is absolutely wonderful. It's wonderful because the pictures are simple and really catch you eye with the bright colors. The message behind it is fantastic. Sure, some of the things are a little strange like putting fish in your hair, but there's a great message behind it that it's ok to not be like everyone else. What an important message to kids in todays society. I just love this book and would highly recommend it.

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Another great book from Todd Parr

Todd Parr's colorful drawings and positive, imaginative text are some of my 2 1/2-year-old daughter's favorites. This one in particular cracks her up.

Todd Parr's books are wonderful

My kids both love Todd Parr's books--they love the kooky illustrations and they can recite the text by heart.

reviews: page 1, 2, 3

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