We're the Same, We're Different and We All Belong

A Children's Diversity Book for Kids 3-5, 6-8 That Teaches Kindness, Acceptance & Empathy. Differences Are Only One Part of a Person's Unique Story

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Pub Date 28 Nov 2023 | Archive Date 11 Dec 2023

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Description

It would help the book hugely if you could leave a review on Amazon and / or Goodreads.

Do you want to raise a child who's kind to themselves and kind to others?

This book will help children:

  • Love and accept themselves just the way they are
  • Appreciate and celebrate other people's differences
  • Build their self-confidence and self-esteem
  • Nurture their tolerance, empathy and kindness

The best social-emotional learning (SEL) book for raising caring children

In her own heartwarming, hilarious words, Marnie, a spunky multiracial kindergartener, explores the concept of diversity. She finds that differences (e.g. race, size, accent, learning styles, ways of moving around) are only one part of a person's unique story.

Want to guide your child... but don't quite know how?

This book is an engaging, interactive framework for parents and teachers to introduce that crucial conversation that will transform children's attitudes towards themselves and others.

This engaging, interactive picture book asks readers a series of heartwarming, hilarious questions alongside a quirky main character, and gracefully illustrates that the best friendships can be made when we love what’s different (and the same) about each other.

Book quote:

"Being different doesn’t make someone weird,

it just makes them different.

And be nice to them because, to them, you are different too!

We may seem soooooooo different… but deep down,

we’re kind of the same."

Plaudits:

(September, 2023)

#1 Amazon.com Hot New Releases in Children's Multiculturalism & Tolerance

About:

This is a diverse book for kids: for girls and boys in preschool (ages 3-5), kindergarten and grades 1, 2 & 3 (ages 6 - 8).

The themes this book explores include acceptance, understanding, community, school life, friendship, disability / disabilities, prejudice, racism, inclusion, anti bullying, neurodiversity, multiculturalism and belonging.

It would help the book hugely if you could leave a review on Amazon and / or Goodreads.

Do you want to raise a child who's kind to themselves and kind to others?

This book will help children:

  • Love...

Advance Praise

"""Miller’s picture book tells of how every child has a unique story that’s worth discovering... An engaging book that provides opportunities for youngsters to practice empathy."" — Kirkus Reviews (Received Kirkus ""Get It"" accolade)

 ""KayJay Miller's We're the Same, We're Different and We All Belong is one of the best books I've read about celebrating and respecting diversity. Everything about this book is top-notch. Marnie is a character that kids will immediately want as their friend. She is confident yet also vulnerable and engaging. The illustrations are vibrant and full of life and emotions... The message of diversity and acceptance is woven expertly throughout the story. KayJay Miller has crafted a luminous character in Marnie. I hope to see her in future stories. As a retired children's librarian, I've read thousands of picture books, and We're the Same, We're Different and We All Belong is one of the best."" ★★★★★ — Readers' Favorite 

""... an amazing fiction story that covers various important topics such as individual differences, disability awareness, life skills and much more, making it perfect for kids of all ages to learn from. Miller's spirited story is a reminder that our differences are what make the world a better place..."" ★★★★★ — Reedsy Discovery (""Must Read"" award)

 ""Six year-old Marnie narrates this approachable and conversational introduction to the concept of inclusion in Miller’s big-hearted picture book... Takeaway: Inviting introduction to inclusion as told by a six year-old narrator."" — Booklife Reviews

 ""A book every child should read... This heartwarming story promotes empathy, curiosity, and harmonious coexistence... highly recommended for families and classrooms. Helping children develop self-esteem and appreciate all the differences in the world is just the starting point of this magnificent children's book."" ★★★★★ — Literary Titan

"""Miller’s picture book tells of how every child has a unique story that’s worth discovering... An engaging book that provides opportunities for youngsters to practice empathy."" — Kirkus Reviews...


Available Editions

ISBN 9781961930001
PRICE US$0.99 (USD)
PAGES 31

Available on NetGalley

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Average rating from 22 members


Featured Reviews

had so much fun reading this book, the story is so adorable and the illustrations were so well done and charming, there’s so many little details in every page that I couldn’t stop but be mesmerized by it all. I will definitely be recommending it! Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this early copy

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This is a cute, warm-fuzzy book. The narrator is a happy, life-like little girl who finds joy in being herself and wants to help others feel their individual worth and recognize everyone else's too. This book looks at outside appearances first and then moves to personality and preferences.
The illustrations are bright and engaging. The programing used created slight variations in the style throughout the book, but perhaps that lends itself to the theme.
This book is a lovely way to introduce a discussion about respecting everyone in and outside the classroom. It can easily lead to an activity that encourages students to get to know someone new and find common ground or a new interest.

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The author states that her books are meant to be a force for good. That message came through clearly as a young girl tells the reader about herself and even poses questions. Children of different backgrounds or disabilities are presented in a way that lets the reader see the real person, not just their outside appearance. What an important message for us all! The illustrations are outstanding, too.

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I love the diverse representation in this book! The illustrations are beautiful and I loved the story as well!

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This children's book is very important in an era where people are not always accepted for their differences.
I love how the author makes it easy to see how alike we are, regardless of our appearance.
Highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC

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this is so sweet! it was very well written and has such a good and positive message ! in this world is very important for children mostly to learn from a very young age to accept everyone and that we all are different but the same and we all are people who deserve care and respect and love.

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This book provides an important but heartwarming message! The animation style is beautiful and only adds to the warmth of the story. The amount of representation and inclusion is really great to see and will certainly inspire young kids.

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I received an electronic ARC from BooksGoSocial through NetGalley.
Beautifully written interactive book. Readers meet Marnie and she shares about herself and her life. I appreciate that she shares her fears and the biases she faces from some people. After meeting her, and learning about her, she asks the readers to answer questions just like she does. It's a powerful way to help readers think about themselves and how amazing they are.

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Such a beautiful and clever way to introduce your children to the beauty of diversity and acceptance. The book is pretty simple (as it should be since it's meant to be a good starting point for conversations with children) and to the point. The illustrations are gorgeous and just add a touch of magic to the very important message this book carries.

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As a teacher and a parent I really enjoyed this books. The child friendly language and real life situations that kids can find themselves in makes it a great choice for education through story. The illustrations are stunning, and I really enjoyed the questions to encourage conversation about what is being read. My 5 year old daughter is also a big fan!

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This is a delightful book in which 6-year-old Marnie shares some of her thoughts on how the differences between people can be perceived, and how they should be perceived.

As a multiracial child of kindergarten age, Marnie has already experienced having some people use differences in skin colour and appearance as something pejorative, rather than seeing diversity as a thing of beauty.

Marnie also points out how something that is visible is not necessarily the thing that defines a person e.g. ethnic background or disability.

And to help us understand this, she asks a series of questions - to which the children reading the book are encouraged to provide their own answers - so that we can all get to know each other well beyond surface appearances.

This is a lovely book for young children to be introduced to ideas of difference as well as to recognise our fundamental similarities regardless of racial or religious background. The illustrations are perfect for the book as well.

There is guidance about how to consider aspects of lovingkindness provided at the end of the book so that adults can work with children on these issues. I loved that the fundamental value being taught throughout this book is kindness. Because that really is a lesson that needs to be taught as early as possible!

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Gorgeous illustrations! I loved the message and flow. Great new book! The digital preview had some errors in the text layout but I plan to order a physical copy in order to get the full experience.

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The book demonstrates in an interactive way that we should all demonstrate compassion, kindness and empathy for others whether the difference is visible or not. A very well presented lesson!
The illustrations by the author are fun, simple, colorful, and delightful.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from BooksGoSocial via NetGalley. Thank you!
@CBCBook #Diversity

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I really liked this book, especially the cool pictures that show how important it is to celebrate everyone being different. When I read it with my 6-year-old nephew, he totally got the message because of the awesome pictures.

The book talks about things kids might worry about, like their hair, how they look, and if other kids will like them. It does a great job saying it's okay to be yourself and be different.

I say every kid should read this book because it helps you understand that it's cool to accept others and feel happy and loved. And I really, really like the title; it's just perfect!

Make sure to put this one in your kid’s collection; you won't be let down.

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We're the Same, We're Different and We All Belong is such a beautiful book to highlight that while we all have thing in common and things that are different. I like that it says that different does not equal weird.

The pictures in this book are absolutely beautiful and very engaging to young children. I am a 2nd grade teacher and right now we are doing informational writing about a friend. Students are going to interview each other and write about one another. I read this book to my class because it highlights great question sand information to truly get to know each other deeper than surface level. After reading we came up with questions to ask our friend to really get to know them.

This would be a great book to read at the beginning of the year or to compliment a social studies unit on diversity. I live in a very diverse area and this book is a great way to highlight how diverse we are and what we can learn from each other. If one does not live in a very diverse area, this book would be great to introduce students and young children to other ethnicities and understand that it doesn't matter what the color of our skin is, or what color our hair or eyes are, but what matters is who we are on the inside and the great qualities we all have within us.

I also really like the way it talked about the power of yet and that I can't do it yet, but that I can do hard things.

This is an excellent book to use as a teacher or as a parent of young children.

Thank you KayJay Miller for writing a beautiful book with engaging illustrations that teach children the importance of acceptance, diversity and that being different is a good thing.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book and give my honest review.

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I love books that have a great message! This book for sure does! All kids need to read about how even though we are all different, we are all the same and everyone. This should be on every bookshelf in every library!

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This children’s book covers important topics such as race, diversity, accessibility and inclusion.

There is lots of informative information that is easy to follow. The illustrations are great

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Great for kids to learn about diversity and families that might not look like theirs. Cute little artwork and great message.

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This book is a masterclass in showcasing diversity and inclusion to younger kids, this delightful book exudes warmth and charm. The narrator, a cheerful and relatable little girl who is excited and comfortable in embracing her true self. The story begins by exploring people's appearances before tackling personalities and preferences such as race, and learning styles. This book also has super cute illustrations and subtly introduce variations in style, perhaps complementing the overall theme.

A great tool for anyone interested in initiating conversations about respect within and beyond the classroom, this book can seamlessly transition into activities encouraging students to connect with someone new, discovering common ground or new shared interests.

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This book is lovely. It’s exactly what you expect from the title. It is the narrator telling you how all people are the same but different. I really enjoy the illustrations. They’re all lively, they’re realistic, but at the same time soft and illustrated. All together it just works. The book is a little long and heavily repetitive but still a great example of the type of story it is.

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