A Little Bit Different

This is a great children's book for little ones. My daughter and I loved the book. She really liked the ploofers characters. The ploofers practice doing something at the same time, but the little one does something different from them and they turn against him. Another character comes along and values what the little one has created and this shows the ploofers that they too should value it and so they do. After that, the little one feels better as he has been accepted. This is a great book to show children that it is ok to be different and that you can still be accepted by your friends even if you do something different from them. The illustrations in the book are beautiful and the book is easy to read.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Ploofers all PLOOF! Except for one, whose PLOOF! is a SHOOF! This Ploofer loves the thing that makes them different … until the rest of the Ploofers question it.

The other Ploofers all think the SHOOF! is weird. It’s outside of their comfort zone because they haven’t seen a SHOOF! before.

The judgement of the other Ploofers makes the SHOOF! Ploofer sad. They wonder why the other Ploofers aren’t accepting of the thing that makes them different.

It isn’t until Toasty recognises the beauty of this Ploofer’s SHOOF! and encourages them to embrace their difference that the SHOOF! Ploofer regains their confidence.

I loved the SHOOF! Ploofer and the message that it’s okay to be different. It can be scary to have the courage to be yourself, especially when the way you express yourself is outside of the norm, but there will always be those like Toasty who will value you for who you are.

Although the other Ploofers originally shy away from what is new, eventually they realise that different doesn’t automatically equal bad. By accepting the Ploofer who is different, the rest of the Ploofers learn acceptance and in doing so their own lives are brightened.

I naturally rebel against any system that asserts that because this is the way we’ve always done something, that’s the only way it can be done. You shouldn’t have to hide your unique gifts just because some other Ploofers are unwilling to think outside of the box. Meaningful change can come when we open ourselves up to possibilities we haven’t considered before.

I’m all for anything that celebrates diversity. In this book, it’s diversity of expression that’s addressed but this can be applied to all forms of diversity.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Happy Yak, an imprint of Quarto Publishing Group - Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, for the opportunity to read this picture book.

absolutely adorable, I will be checking out the other book in this series as soon as I finish writing this review. I loved how simble the story was will limited words and cute but simple iillistrations. read to my goddaughter before bed im sure I will be asked to read it again in the near future

Such a cute story for young children about how being different is OK and teaching them the importance of kindness. Positivity breeds positivity and we all need a little more of that in this world.

An enchanting picture book about celebrating differences. My daughter and I loved the name Ploofers. There are so many opportunities to talk about how characters are feeling in the story from their facial expressions, body language and what the characters say. One little Ploofer doesn't make the same ploof as everybody else, he makes a shoof. Some Ploofers are troubled by this difference, but one little friend sees the magic in difference and delights in it. There's a very funny little bit in an illustration at the end of the book, I won't spoil it for you, but make sure you turn to the end pages!

Floss (4 years old) - I want to buy this book because I liked the rainbow bit. I love the rainbows when it turns into a heart shape. It's a bit sad when they don't like his shoof, but one little friend does.

Thank you #QuartoKids and #NetGalley for this electronic ARC #ALittleBitDifferent

Title: A Little Bit Different
by: Claire Alexander
Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Happy Yak
Genre: Children's Fiction
Pub Date 22 Jun 2021
Goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4053597920?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Thank you to netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books for a copy of this book for review.


This book is about ploofers and they usually make small black clouds. But something very different is happening today. The Ploofer with yellow wellies makes something happen that has never happened before.

The other Ploofers don;t like it and tell them so. However someone new comes along and likes what yellow wellies can do. When the stranger points out how beautiful a thing it is, the other ploofers agree. And it turned out , it's not so different after all.

A beautiful book, with such few words and illustration this book teaches a great lesson, different does not mean bad.

I did notice that in two of the first pages the little Ploofers boots seem to be missing. Other wise I loved it and would give it to my niece.

Another fab book from the Ploof series that supports young children with their PSED and emotional literacy development!

The Ploofs are at it again, and in this story, they are working together to show us something new they have learned. However, during the demonstration one Ploof makes something different. Instead of creating a 'ploof', it makes a 'shoof', which comes out bright and colourful and very much different. First the ploof looks in awe and pride at what it created, until it notices the negative reaction of the other Ploofs. They comment on this difference and go off, leaving the Ploof behind. Now what happens after this is one of the bits I love the most about the book. It shows that the Ploof is left feeling sad and questioning why they didn't like it. THEN along comes Toasty who is amazed by the 'Shoofs' floating in the sky. Not only is he amazed but he goes on to compliment and points out that it is beautiful BECAUSE it is different! He encourages the Ploof to make more, which draws the attention of the others, who see the praise and cheer Toasty is making and begin to realise that these different shoofs are special, going on to make their own 'shoofs'!

Having previously read and enjoyed one of the past books from Claire Alexanders Ploof series, A Little Bit of Courage. I was delighted to see another book emerge starring the Ploofs. This book, A Little Bit Different, focuses on the power of kindness, inclusion and differences, which I think is important for children to gain a good understanding of, and this book does a wonderful job at providing this to them in a child-friendly, fun way. Children learn by example, by experiences and what they observe. So, with that in mind, the book can be used as a great tool for children to learn from and enjoy.

The illustrations are clear, expressive and fun, which works great with the story. It uses bright, beautiful colours to represent the difference, which helps to support children to understand that something has happened that isn't the usual/norm for the Ploofs. I love how it supports emotional literacy and you are able to clearly differentiate the different emotions the ploof is experiencing and Toastys positive, friendly attitude.

I highly recommend this book, particularly with early years aged children in mind. I think it would make a great addition to their book shelf and is a book they will be able to engage with independently, retelling the story from their previous times listening to it being read.

**I received an advanced copy of this ebook to read and review. Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for allowing mw this opportunity**

This is a wonderfully simple story that has so many important messages. It teaches children it is ok to be different, everyone should be themselves and express themselves in their own way and we should always be kind to everyone.

The story is about some little creatures called ploofers. They have all been practicing 'ploofing' at the same time but when one does something different ('shoofing' a rainbow cloud instead of a black cloud) the others do not react well at first. They made the little ploofer feel sad and unwanted.

Another creature (resembling toast) comes along that accepts him for what he is and loves his difference (rainbow coloured shoof.) Together they teach the ploofers that it is ok (and even great)to be different.

This would be a great addition to an Early Years Setting or Primary School and very useful for introducing inclusion and diversity topics to young children.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Frances Lincoln Children's Books for this eARC.

This is an adorable book about the Ploofers. They are learning that Ploofing is normal and Shoofing is different. And different isn't weird, it is special. I think this is an amazing book for young children to learn that out of the norm is not always bad, there is a unique kind of different. The floofy illustrations are so cute and pleasing to the eye. I read it at least 4 times now, haha, it is seriously too attractive.

Young children will love the bright illustrations and the wonderful imaginative characters. I can see so many more books on well-being and emotional literacy being explored through the eyes of the Ploofers and Toastie. This book allows children to explore difference, acceptance and kindness in a beautiful creative way. I look forward to more.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley

Perfect from early years up, this is a colourful, easy way to introduce diversity and acceptance. Short but very sweet, the illustrations compliment the storyline gloriously!

Absolutely adorable and with a very clear message. We should celebrate differences and not be scared of. It is a very important notion that needs to be shared from a very young age because once you know about it you are not scared. We all react weirdly to the unknown and we care more when we actually know. I had a look at the whole series and I see the picture books as nice tools to introduce very peaceful and essential concepts to our little ones. I totally recommend it!