I like this book a lot. I love the way it explores a sensitive matter to many children in an open and reflective way. This would make a great school read aloud to start a discussion about differences and emotions.

I received this ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.
Kevin struggles at school. Learning and reading seems to come easy to his classmates and it is very hard for him. At school he is quiet and subdued, whereas when he is a home he talks and shouts when his team scores. The kids at school wonder why he is different. This is a great book with a positive message explaining that some kids learn differently then others.

I honestly enjoyed reading this to my son. Perhaps a bit long for the attention span of a three year old, I loved the ideas though that it's ok not to understand something as quickly as your peers. That you might not get one thing, but will fully understand something else that amazes others.

--I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are purely my own and not influenced in any way.-
I actually really liked this book. Kevin has a hard time reading and falls under grade level, causing him to feel he is not okay. He learns that he's just fine and learns that everyone learns at different speeds and excels in different things. This is a very timely story that many kids will relate with and may feel ashamed about. The moral is good, and kids will learn that everyone learns at different speeds and masters different things at different times. Highly recommended for classroom discussions!

A fantastic reminder that learning is a process and journey, not a competition or race. Kevin struggles with his reading skills, but excels at math and responsibility. He begins to learn coping mechanisms for dealing with overwhelming situations, and blossoms with self-confidence. Recommended for kindergarten through second grade.

I really liked this story. Even though when it starts Kevin is only in kindergarten, this book is actually good for children 7 to 10 in my view. Kevin is a kid who has a lot of talents, reading just isn't one of them. When he goes to school, he becomes very quiet and withdrawn. He does not feel smart like the other kids in his class. Kevin ends up going to the reading room and working with the reading teacher for a few years to catch up with his reading level. He works hard and tries hard, but he is still behind. Mrs. Marinez, the reading teacher realizes that Kevin has strengths in other areas and asks him to run the school store. Kevin shines in this role and other kids start looking up to him. As his confidence grows so do his skills at school. Kevin finds his strength and this is reinforced by his teacher, mother and the principal. I liked Kevin. Even though he struggled, he did not give up and was willing to try new things. The teachers and other adults in his life did a great job helping him develop confidence. This book could be used in various ways with students who are struggling to find what they are good at and how to improve as well as with students who need to help others and realize they have different skills. Often there is a lot of teasing that happens when kids perceive someone as "stupid" or when they are not able to finish the work, this book could be used in those instances to help rid this behaviour from the classroom.

I liked the message of this story as well as the guide for parents and educators at the back. It did say it was for ages 5-8 though and I think it needs to be more like 7-10. I know that it is too wordy for my 5 year olds. Great way of showing students that we all have our own strengths though.

I was sent an early copy of this book in return for my independent honest review. What I like about this lovely little book is how beautifully written it is, and gets the messages across to children in a concise and easy to understand way.
Excellent to show children either at school and/or at home how we are all individuals, learn at different rates and do not all excel in the same subjects. No one can be good at everything. A rather boring world if we were.
I enjoyed the positivity this work brings and in a way which clearly demonstrates through Kevin that eventually our individual talents will shine through.
Lovely clear illustrations showing a diversity of characters.
I recommend this to primary school teachers and parents also
Well deserving of 4* rating. The only reason I didn't rate it 5* is the section at the beginning showing an assortment of pencils etc all being different. I personally didn't feel it enhanced the book. Only a minor personal opinion though.

Okay Kevin: A Story to Help Children Discover How Everyone Learns Differently by James Dillon is currently scheduled for release on April 21 2017. Kevin never smiles at school, but he is different at home. He jumps up and down when his favorite football team scores a touchdown, and screams "CANNONBALL!" when he jumps into the swimming pool. But at school he feels that he isn't 'okay.' Other kids in his class are much quicker at putting their hands up and answering the teacher's questions, and Kevin feels that he will never catch up. One day, his reading teacher asks him to help out with the school store, and Kevin slowly begins to realize that he had really been 'a okay' all along.

Okay Kevin is a story that offers a look into the mind and emotions of one student that does not learn the same way as his classmates. He cannot keep up with the pace of reading skills as his classmates. This goes on through several grades in school, leaving Kevin feel like he is not okay, that he is different in a bad way. His mother and reading teacher do thier best to help him understand that there is nothing wrong with him, but Kevin still feels bad about himself. It is only when he is offered the change to work in the school store, and shows off his math skills, that Kevin gets the reinforcement and confidence in himself that he needs. He starts to see that he is okay, and might not learn the same way as his classmates, but he has his own skills and talents that make him smart in his own way.

Okay Kevin is a story that can help those struggling in school see that they are not alone, and that other people understand how they feel. It can also help those that have no problems academically understand and have some empathy for those that might. This is an important book for children of all abilities to be exposed to, in the interest of empathy and self confidence.

Through providing an insight into Kevin's thoughts, feelings and coping strategies, this picture book for ages 5-8 is a source of support for children who, like Kevin, find school difficult and feel that they are 'behind' their peers. The book, which draws on the author's experiences as the principal of an elementary school, is also the perfect springboard for discussion around difficulties at school, academic ability, self-esteem, confidence and recognizing strengths.

Okay Kevin is a realistic story about a boy who struggles with reading. Starting in Kindergarten Kevin needs extra help to catch up with his classmates, and he feels like he's not like everyone else. By third grade, Kevin still needs help, but his reading teacher has an important job for him to do. That job helps Kevin see that he is okay just like everyone else, even if he needs a little extra help with reading.

If you're looking for a book about working hard over a long period of time and learning to be okay with your own learning differences, Okay Kevin is a great read aloud for kindergarten - 2nd grade kids and it would be a good independent read for 2nd - 4th graders.

My children and I enjoyed reading this book together. We had great discussions about what was presented. I think this book will be helpful to many families.