One of these is Not like the Others by Barney Saltzberg

 

My friends and I are visiting various public libraries in our city. Today was our third expedition. We have been to Marrickville Library; Green Square Library and today we headed to Darling Harbour to see the Darling Square spiral shaped library. We arrived just as storytime for babies was beginning and by happy coincidence one of the books (A name for baby) was by the author/illustrator I featured here yesterday!

Once the toddler time was over we were able to explore the picture book section and one book I spied was this one by Barney Saltzberg. I am a huge fan of his work - especially Crazy Hair Day which I have read to hundreds of children and the two books about Cornelius P Mud.

I am not a person who often laughs out aloud but One of these is Not like the Others certainly made me laugh - it is so funny. The library copy was a regular picture book but so far here in Australia I have only been able to find a board book edition. In a way that is not a problem because this book would be a terrific gift for a toddler or for a preschool book collection and it would be a wonderful interactive storytime book too. Here is the Kirkus review. The format of this book is very simple which is why it would be perfect for your toddler. You see a row of four things or animals - one is different. Then turn the page for a surprise resolution - the penguin and panda one is at the top of this post. 

Bookseller blurb: One of these is not like that other--and that's great This gently subversive picture book points out-- and celebrates -- the differences between subjects. Barney Saltzberg's hilarious and delightfully direct text and simple illustrations introduce children to the concept and splendour of inclusiveness, through recognising who or what's different on each spread and celebrating the unity as it is. For example, the reader sees three cows and an elephant accompanied by the text "One of these is not like the other," turn the page... and all four animals take part in an exuberant conga line and say "that's just fine with us". In a series of similar examples children are encouraged to notice both the similarities and differences between characters and celebrate both. Barney Saltzberg's picture book is a pointed and timely tribute to the power of inclusivity and as well as a riotous read-aloud.

Here are some other books by Barney Saltzberg that I would like to read:

Recently Betsy Bird took her roving microphone around a huge library conference in Chicago - she asked various people and famous authors etc to name their favourite childhood book and Barney Saltzberg named one of my most favourites - Are you my Mother?