A Little Bit Different by Claire Alexander is a great book for little and big kids
the illustration is really nice

This a very cute book with lovable little creatures, Ploofers. Most of them ploof, until one of them shloofs! They learn that it's ok to be different and different doesn't automatically mean bad. The contrast in colors drives the story home and makes to more appealing to the littles.

Have you ever come across a book that is great but also not so great? And it's this way for a few reasons, but a lot of it ultimately comes down to interpretation? I feel like Claire Alexander's <em>A Little Bit Different</em> has a beautiful message that's important but also has so many different possible interpretations that the message she intended to send might not actually be the one her readers receive. And this is really where everything falls apart.

<b>Celebrating Differences</b>

Alright, so the general message this book is trying to send is that being different is good. We should celebrate our differences. We should be accepting of others who are different. And just because someone isn't like you or the people you know best doesn't mean they aren't good or worth talking to. The premise follows a bunch of creatures called Ploofers. They all "ploof" out grey smoke.

Except one day, one Ploofer ploofs out rainbow smoke.

As can unfortunately be very common in our world, all the other Ploofers become very judgmental of the rainbow Ploofer. They ignore him, they treat him poorly, etc. That is, they do so until one Ploofer takes an interest in the rainbow Ploofer and gets to know him. As more Ploofers become more accepting, more Ploofers start to "ploof" out colors other than grey.

<b>Interpretations</b>

So, generally, you can say that the message is a good one. Be accepting and the world will be full of rainbows. Where it runs into issues is when you break it down and compare it to real world scenarios. Let's say the differences are skin colors. Well, you can't exactly <em>change</em> your skin color (and when you can it's not always a great thing), so...the fact that all the Ploofers later end up "ploofing" out different colors when they were grey to begin with doesn't quite add up.

It also just sends a weird message. It's not like we would ever want to encourage the majority race to become the minority races. That would obviously be a <em>very</em> big problem.

But okay, let's step back now and say that it's not about skin color. Let's say it's about culture. Or ideas and thought. This, for me, is the best interpretation. I <em>love</em> the idea that a group of people who all think similarly (the grey smoke) can be influenced to develop and change their thinking by meeting someone who thinks differently (rainbow smoke). As any developing person knows, you can remain stuck in your own way of thinking when you are surrounded by like minded people. But, when you open yourself up to new experiences and people who have different ideas, you gain a wonderful opportunity to grow yourself.

Suddenly you see all these different ways of thinking on the page before you. You see how meeting different people can influence who you are, can make you better. No longer are you in a bubble rehashing the same ideas over and over again with the same people. Now you are <em>learning</em> and <em>growing</em>. Both you, those you know currently, and the world as a whole is better for it. It is <em>this</em> interpretation that I think Claire was going for. The unfortunate thing is that not everyone is picking up on it.

<b>Ploofers</b>

Honestly, I think the colored smoke was a brilliant idea for this book. I especially loved how easily it was for me to liken the smoke to thought bubbles. The Ploofers are absolutely adorable from start to finish. Though the colors do not stick out initially, the book as a whole grows more and more beautiful and engaging as you continue reading.

I wish that Alexander had been a little bit more clear somewhere about this being more about differences in thought than differences in appearance. Also, I find it a bit silly that there was only <em>one</em> Ploofer who ploofed out smoke that wasn't grey. As if there is only one person who thinks differently enough to influence another person. This book may have been a <em>lot</em> better if the rainbow Ploofer knew others similar to him or was traveling from one Ploofer town to the next--say the first had been yellow, the second red, etc--changing thoughts as he went.

All in all, this was definitely what I would consider a respectable attempt to send this message. I do think that it could be interpreted differently and may need some clarification. It's definitely a book I would want to use to start a conversation rather than one I would simply leave to be interpreted by a child on their own.

<em>I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</em>

After receiving an advanced digital review version, we added the physical book to our wishlist! My preschooler laughed OUT LOUD to this book. He loved the message and the illustrations.

I received a copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

This is a very cute picture book for children about how we are all different and that differences not only should be valued and understood but that we are all unique and individuals!
I adored this book. The illustrations are beautifully done and the book brings lots of opportunities for discussions with your child/or children.

I thought this book was really cute. The illustrations made me happy, and made me wish there was more to the story. The message of the book comes across without any words, but I do wish there had been some, just to bring a little something more to it. I am kind of confused as to what the poof stuff they created was. It seemed like they could change it if they wanted to, so it wasn't necessarily that the one that was using the different colors was necessarily physically different, he just chose to be.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Author: Claire Alexander
Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group
Publication Date: 17 Sep 2019

I'm living for these kids books with all the "I feel different and that's okay" messaging. Whether subtley lgbt, or just kids who feel outcast, however... this one fell a little flat for me.

My apologies for not reviewing this book. I was unable to download it before the archive date. I would in the future really like to read it

A light, fun read about learning to celebrate differences that balances playfulness with important lessons.

This is an extremely simple story, almost wordless based on the few sentences and text on the pages. The Ploofs are round creatures, similar to a balloon with the air thing on the top. They all let out a ploof that looks like a black cloud. Then one of them starts to let off colours and they get upset because he is doing something different, so they snub him. When one ploof likes the colours they go back and confront the others and they all start letting off different colours. I am assuming the lesson is about accepting others who are different, but if they could all blow off colours, how was he/she really different. It seems to me that it is more about following what others are doing even when it is stifling who you are. Saying that, my grandchildren were not impressed with this book. I think in a classroom setting where the discussion is about not following others blindly and allowing yourself to show your talents, then it could be a useful book.

This is the story of a ploofer who is a little bit different to all the other ploofers. Ploofers (I love this word and I’m going to use it as many times as possible in this review!) look like… well, little grey blobs best described by the word “ploofer”! The ploofers are all lined up and practising a synchronised “ploof”. Except one little ploofer goes… shoof! When the other ploofers all turn their backs on him, will he be able to find anyone who will embrace his uniqueness and help the others see the beauty in accepting everyone for who they are?

This book starts with all the ploofers lined up, practising, all looking fairly similar. But then… SHOOF! I love how Claire has used colour to bring across the message of difference. There is something so magical about the simple and elegant way Claire has been able to portray such a complex and important issue.

Like its title, this picture book is a little bit different, but in a very good way! Claire is a wonderful picture book author and illustrator, but what I particularly love about this story, is that by using minimal words and repeated imagery in the illustrations, Claire has produced a poignant and powerful message of friendship, hope and acceptance, that will resonate with very young children. There are lots of lovely picture books out there on this important topic, but this one in particular can reach the younger end of the picture book market, which I think is wonderful. Ploofer, ploofer, ploofer!

I am very grateful to the publisher for providing me with an advanced digital copy via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

**Link to be updated**

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a cute book, the illustrations were adorable and the message is an important one for kids to hear.

This is a very cute, simple book about being different. But it actually doesn’t make much sense to me. We have these little characters that push out black colour from their heads (imagine an ink cloud). And one that pushes out a rainbow of colours. Others make fun of him, he finds a friend who loves the colours and eventually goes back to the others to stand up to them.
All good right? Right.
But then suddenly the others start pushing out other colours besides black. So my question is could they always choose their colours? Why didn’t the rainbow one know this?
Mostly I’m confused because to me this says that all you need to do is change or make others like you to be accepted. The problem is that isn’t always possible. I can imagine a child reading this (or having it read to them) and asking a parent about changing their skin colour, height, or other attribute that can’t be changed.
A much better story would end with the others accepting our rainbow character for who they are and it all being okay.
For this reason I just can’t endorse this book. Maybe I missed the point or something, I dunno. But I read it three times (and it’s not that complex) and can’t get over the message.
It actually made me think of the movie Grease where Sally changes her entire look and attitude at the end of the movie in order to be accepted. It’s actually not a great outcome when you think about it. Wouldn’t it be so much better for us all to accept each other as we are?

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – words & pictures for A Little Bit Different by Claire Alexander. This is a story about Ploofers who always do the same thing until one little adventurous Ploofer tries something new… Really cute and fun read about being unique. Recommended for a quick read with a moral.

This book is adorable! Had me smiling (almost) all the way through! It's definitely 'different', I absolutely love the concept and the message this gives children about not being afraid to be different. Being different makes you special. The illustrations are oh so cute, love it.

Adorable. Great for teaching about how it’s cool to be different. Illustrations are lovely too. Can’t wait to share this with my class.

This children’s picture book is so very adorable. I’m not exactly sure what the purpose of the Ploofers are, but they’re easy to look at and enjoy, and I found the art style was so simplistic and wonderful.

At first, the Ploofers reject the colourful ploof that Shoof emits. But then one ploofer sees the colours and is amazed by it.

This story shows a very lovely way that different doesn’t have to be bad or ‘wrong’, but it can be different and still be enjoyable.

I think this will be a lovely picture book for young children to read and enjoy.


4/5 stars

This is a lovely and very simple children's book promoting the beauty of difference. The illustrations are sweet and simple and colorful at times. A great addition for little ones!

'A Little Bit Different' with words and pictures by Claire Alexander is an allegory about accepting those who are different.

The ploofers are creatures that look like balloons. They have been practicing something they all want to do together. When one of the ploofers does something different, no one knows how to react. That ploofer is left on the outside, until someone else comes along and encourages everyone to accept the difference.

This book works well for small children to help them understand that it's ok for others to be different, and it does it in, I think, a pretty accessible way. The illustrations are a bit simple, but they get the truth of the story across well.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing Group - words & pictures, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

This book is very simple. It doesn’t pick out race, religion or language. Just we can all be a little but different and that’s ok. Told in a very simple way that even the youngest child can understand. Lots of opportunities to talk to the child whilst reading. I want a ploofer.
It’s the sort of book that children would love to have a cuddly Ploofer to hold whilst reading this book at bedtime.