Amazon.com

For anyone who ever doubted it, Todd Parr is here to tell us all thatit's okay to be different. With his signature artistic style, featuring brightlycolored, childlike figures outlined in heavy black, Parr shows readers over andover that just about anything goes. From the sensitive ("It's okay to beadopted"--the accompanying illustration shows a kangaroo with a puppy in herpouch) to the downright silly ("It's okay to eat macaroni and cheese in thebathtub"), kids of every shape, size, color, family makeup, and background willfeel included in this gentle, witty book. In this simple, playful celebration ofdiversity, Parr doesn't need to hammer readers over the head with his message.

Parr is well known for his funky feel-good titles, including Things That Make You Feel Good/ThingsThat Make You Feel Bad, Underwear Do's and Don'ts, andThis Is My Hair. (Ages 3to 6) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (10)

I agree, It IS OKAY TO READ THIS BOOK! ..and to be you...
Maybe some people's kids like reading old stuff like aesops fables..stuff that doesn't relate to the REAL WORLD. BUT MOST kids in TODAY'S WORLD have issues. Issues like- why do I have freckles and why do I have curly hair and why do I wear glasses and why can't I be like her... or him ...or them! That's why this book is SO WONDERFUL..it teaches a wonderful lesson - IT'S OKAY..TO BE DIFFERENT, IT'S OKAY TO BE YOU! This is certainly an enriching book for any child - it builds self esteem, self confidence, and shows kids how everyone can be different, but that's what makes us special!...

Wonderful book about different types of diversity
This book has quickly been added to my story time collection. The illustrations are bright, colorful and charming for reading aloud or simply browsing. Children are reminded that it's okay to be different, no matter what their differences or similarities. While tolerance of others is one of the themes, self-acceptance is the most important message. This is a great book for showing that differences are perfectly fine and acceptable. The book does not reek of politically correct messages as much as it comforts us that being different is just fine. I, as an adult, liked myself a little better after I read it the first time. I think children will feel the same way.

A friend of mine took the book to read at her local children's hospital where it was a big hit with the patients who often feel very different. This is a must for any library, big or small.

A superficial idea of what it means to be
THIS IS A VERY BRIEF BOOK WRITTEN PRIMARILY FOR CHILDREN--UNHAPPY, DEPRESSED, "ABNORMAL" CHILDREN. THE GIST OF THE THING IS TO INSTILL IN THE KIDS THAT IT IS "OK" TO BE DIFFERENT. IN OTHER WORDS, THEY "ARE" DIFFERENT, BUT THAT'S "OK." OUR OUTWARD & INWARD DIFFERENCES ARE TO BE "CELEBRATED."
I AGREE, BUT...

DO YOU SEE ANYTHING WEIRD ABOUT THIS? IT'S SUCH A PARADOX, A CONUNDRUM OF THE BACK AGAINST THE WALL, WHAT CAN I DO TO FIT IN WITH THESE ADULTS AND OTHER CHILDREN VARIETY. I CAN'T GET MY MIND AROUND THIS CONCEPT (OR ACCEPT IT), SO HOW CAN ANYONE EXPECT "ABNORMAL CHILDREN" TO COMPREHEND WHAT IS BEING IMPLIED? THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH LIFE EXPERIENCE!

THE INTELLIGENT CHILDREN (AND MOST "WEIRD" KIDS ARE INTELLIGENT FOR SOME REASON) ARE LEFT TO INFER THAT FEELING GOOD HAPPENS WHEN YOU BEHAVE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.

THE BOOK DOES WORK ON ONE LEVEL AT LEAST; HOWEVER, AND THAT IS THAT CHILDREN SHOULD BE HAPPY, IF FOR JUST A MINUTE OCCASSIONALLY, THIS WORKBOOK-TYPE TOME IS FULL OF FUN ACTIVITIES TO KEEP THEIR "STRANGE, UNHAPPY" LITTLE MINDS OCCUPIED.

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Read to ANY Child, regardless of Chronological Age
I was at Storytime today and this book leaped off the shelf and into my hands begging to be read. The first thing I thought was, this is SUCH simple, pure, rock solid truth that everyone should have a copy regardless of their age.

Whether you are 4 years + 36 or 4 years + 52 or 4 years + 2, this book has a message for you.

It's okay to be you!
This is probably the best book in the whole world. Kids especially like "it's okay to eat macaroni and cheese in the bathtub." This is the best approach to diversity I've ever seen, and it's cute and funny as well as having a serious undertone. Buy it for someone unique! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Labels may not be helpful for young children
I love Todd Parr's animated illustrations and charm. But after purchasing this book and reading it to my 2-year old, I wasn't as excited about this particular book. The labels "good" and "bad" are used in a way that it introduces ideas into a young child's mind. Like some of the examples were "good:light", "bad: the dark". I am trying to teach my daughter NOT to think of the dark as something bad and not to be afraid of! So that's not too helpful. Also, it has "monsters: bad" as well as "big hairy spiders: bad". We're trying to convince my daughter that monsters don't exist, not that they are "bad" and make her scared even more. The other labels in the book are funny, like "smelly feet: bad" and "hot chocolate with marshmallows: good".

I know Todd Parr just wanted to write a funny book for kids. But if your children are at the stage where they are scared of things or take things very literally, then you might want to choose a different book!

Good Book
I am a teacher and I love these books. Todd Parr has outdone himself yet again in writing this book. I am sure that it will be a hit with my class of first graders.

New fun, funky emergent reader series
I love the Todd Paar books! Neon-y colors and goofy, childlike art make these very simple books stand out from the crowd. Things that make you feel good include bubble baths, pets, hot chocolate with marshmallows, and bedtime stories. Things that make you feel bad include smelly feet, stinkbugs, worm stew, and monsters. The combination of things that are real and things that are silly will make you laugh and maybe take life a little less seriously. If you're a kid, there's an important self-esteem message in these books that the littlest kid can relate to. ... Read more

Book Description

Today everyone is talking about peace. But how do you explain this abstract conceptto young children? Todd Parr is here to help. Like his bestselling title Itís Okay to be Different, The Peace Book gives parents and teachers a valuable tool in talking about a challenging subject. Toddís bright, child-friendly pictures and simple, inspiring text tell kids just what they need to know:Timeless and universal, this primer about peace belongs in every home and classroom all over the world. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Whether they're working at home or working far away, teaching you how towalk or how to ride a skateboard, wearing suits or wearing two different socks,daddies can be pretty cool. With childlike smiling stick figures, bold,brilliant color, and upbeat text, picture-book creator Todd Parr celebrates thediverse, wonderful world of fathers in The Daddy Book. As in his Mommy Book, Parr focuses on thedifferences between individual parents ("Some daddies make cookies. Some daddiesstop for doughnuts."), but brings it all together every few pages with lineslike, "All daddies love to kiss and hug you!" or "All daddies like to watch yousleep!" Parr's quirky artwork and eternally optimistic--yet neversaccharine--books are truly irresistible, for both grownups and kids. Don't missany of his friendly, esteem-boosting titles: The Best Friends Book, It's Okay to Be Different,Underwear Do's andDon'ts, and lots more. (Ages 3 to 6) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Book Description

There are so many different types of families, and THE FAMILY BOOK celebrates them all in a funny, silly, and reassuring way. Parr includes adopted families, step-families, one-parent families, and families with two parents of the same sex, as well as the traditional nuclear family. His quirky humor and bright, childlike illustrations will make children feel good about their families. Parents and teachers can use this book to encourage children to talk about their families and the different kinds of families that exist. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great for all families
The fact is that different families exist.We need to teach our children that is okay that there are many different families and no one family is better than another. So many kids are taught from such an earlier age to judge. I think books like this one do a good job of teaching that not everyone has to be part of a cookie cutter life. If everyone would just accept those around them instead of finding the difference or the fault the world would be a more peaceful place to live.

Normalizing Gay Parents
I was introduced to this book during our public library's "story time" - for two-year olds. I'll agree with the other "5 star ratings" -- with the glaring exception that I do not want to be teaching my children that having two mommies or two daddies is "normal". Alas, I'm one of those "religious fanatics" who believe that marriage should be between one man and one woman. This book is obviously geared toward preschool children, and I don't want to have to explain about gay parents before my kids even understand about sex! The book has great illustrations, etc. but, if you want skip a possible discussion about children having gay parents - I'd pass on this book.

Educator Favorite
I'll admit a bias right up front: Todd Parr is one of my favorite authors. Each of his books that I have introduced and read to my classes has been a big hit with the students---and this one is no exception.

Each page contains one sentence about families. For example, midway through the book we read, "Some families live near each other," which is humorously illustrated by two mouse holes with six sets of eyes peering out. The opposing page counters with, "Some families live far from each other." Here we see two colorful, alien space families on opposite planets.

In addition to living conditions, habits, and physical appearances, Parr also discusses different family structures. "Some families have a stepmom or stepdad and stepsisters or stepbrothers," while "some families have two moms or two dads."

While we learn that families can be quite different from one another, we also learn that families share some things in common. "All families," writes Parr, "are sad when they lose someone they love," and "all families can help each other be strong!"

There is a wonderful vitality to the book thanks to the bold drawings, bright, nearly neon colors, and handwritten text. Add to that an affirming story with an important message and you have here a definite winner. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by the Education Oasis Staff

A wonderful, caring tribute to today's diverse families
Todd Parr is an absolute gem! He knows so well how to create fun and appealing books for children that promote self-acceptance and an appreciation of the diversity of modern society. In The Family Book, Todd shows us how families can be different from each other in some ways, but how all families are similar as well. "Some families are the same color/ Some families are different colors....All families like to HUG each other!" "Some families have two moms or two dads/ Some families have one parent instead of two....All families like to celebrate special days together!"

I highly recommend this book for all families, schools and communities that are trying to prepare children to understand, appreciate and embrace the differences that they will encounter in their lives. In particular, biracial, adoptive and alternative families will find this book a very special addition to their home libraries. Thank you, Todd Parr, for sending a message of love to the world in your books! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A Simple Message for Everyone
I would echo the reviews that praise this book and also add that it can be a lighthearted surprise for grownups to look through too. I am a therapist - I was shopping for books, this one caught my eye, and I put it in my waiting room amongst the magazines & other books there. I can't tell you how many people I see looking at this 'okay book' when I come out to collect them for their appointments! (Then they put it down with a sheepish smile when they see that someone saw them reading it...) :-) It seems to be a whimsical and refreshing reminder for all of us in an occasionally conformity-driven society that we're good like we are. If you get it for your kid(s), enjoy it with them.

great but not durable
My daughter loved this book to death - it's death literally. I'm buying a 2nd copy, but why arn't more of Todd Parr's books in board book format? That would be OKAY by me!

First Graders Really Think This Book Is Better Than Okay
This is a wonderful little book! My first graders love to read this book over and over. They love the bright pictures and simple drawings. The children begged to write their own okay books which we did! This is another "Good Night Moon" but for the beginning reader set. I've now gone through my fifth classroom copy!

It's okay to buy this book
Yeah, that was corny, but it was too obvious. Anyway, I came across this book in one of those educational toy stores. What grabbed me was the vibrant colors and the simple, yet important values it communicates. There are two basic messages. The first is not to be biased or prejudiced against others because of superficial things that don't reflect who they are as people (like how big their house is or how they dress). The second message is that you should have the courage to be who you want to be and to express that. My son has been captivated by this book since he was only a few months old and I am looking forward to the day when he will be able to take away the important messages from it. It's comforting to have this book as a tool so that I can help my son grow up to be confident, respectful and happy. As do most parents, we have a few dozen books now. None is a substitute for "Okay." I've evaluated Todd Parr's other books online, but was less impressed and haven't bought any yet. But this one is a gem.

The OKay book is fantastic!
We originally bought this book for our fifteen month old little girl because we thought it was cute that the book matched her initials (O.K.). We were very happy to find out that she loves the book's bold, fun pictures. Her mother and I love this too as well as its great message of tolerance and acceptance (without over-doing it). We immediately bought the rest of Todd Parr's titles. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Although some mommies drive motorcycles, and others drive minivans; somemommies go fishing while others go shopping, all mommies want their children tobe who they are. That's Todd Parr's story, and he's sticking with it (asreinforced by his It's Okay to BeDifferent, This Is MyHair, and lots more funky, friendly picture books). Using his trademarkstyle of brightly colored stick figures, with bold outlined smiley faces forheads, Parr portrays a world of diversity and peace in his simple,esteem-boosting titles. Moms are celebrated here (naturally, you'll find dads inThe Daddy Book), in alltheir traditional, eccentric, athletic, hip, nurturing glory. Each spread showsmoms doing their thing: dancing moms opposite swimming moms, short-hair momsnext to big-hair moms, and work-at-home moms across from work-in-big-buildingsmoms. The refrain is that all moms love their kids: "All mommies like to hangout with you!" "All mommies like to watch you sleep!" The Mommy Book isreassuring and fun. (Ages 3 to 6) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Book Description

In Todd Parr’s world, reading isn’t something that just happens at school or at home--it canhappen anywhere! In his trademark bright, bold pictures, Todd shows us all the fun ways we can read--from in the library and in bed to in the bathtub and on the road. Children are invited to read the main text as well as all the funny signs, labels, and messages hidden in the pictures. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Read this book, with or without underwear!
I bought this book for my niece, but her mother liked it just as much! This is a cute, funny book that I just love.

Underwear Do's and Don'ts by Todd Parr, Mike Tingle
This book has big and bright pictures that will catch children's attention to keep on reading. It's size and hardcover pages helps to encourage children to read by themselves too. ... Read more

Book Description

Babies and toddlers love to make faces and go places.In these bright, bold board books, Todd Parr celebrates funny faces from "Happy" to "Sad" to "Silly" and "Sleepy" and taking trips on everything from planes and trains to shopping carts and rocket ships! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Todd Parr is great !
My baby just love this book. Todd parr is great first book for any baby. It's colorful and witty,and the size is perfect to grap even for a baby. My son loved it.(...)

6 months old and loved it
I first read this book to my daughter when she was 6 months old. At one year, she still picks it up and looks and the pages (although she'd rather hear "Goodnight Moon.") It's very simple with bright colors, and quick to get through for short attention spans. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Best friends can be pretty remarkable, especially if they're anythinglike Todd Parr's pals. For him, a best friend is someone who "will tell youfunny jokes even if you blow milk out of your nose when you laugh." Best friends"will forgive you even if you step on their paw." And best friends "will keep intouch with you even if you move a million miles away." This delightful, brightbook sets high (if sometimes silly) standards for friendship. Even with theexceptionally goofy lines ("Best friends will share their pizza with you even ifyou want to wear the pepperoni"), the point is well made: friendship isunconditional and terrifically important. Kids of all ages will enjoy the brightcolors, bold lines, and unambiguous, fun message.

Parr's little square books with big color and cheerful commentary on life (The Okay Book, This Is My Hair, and Do's and Don'ts) will surelybrighten the gloomiest moods. (Baby to Preschool) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (2)

great books!
We have the underwear book and the feelings book and our 16 month old daughter loves them so we just got this one for her. She loves it as much as the others. She has maybe a hundred books already but this is one she reaches for herself over and over and we already have it memorized along with the other ones! I think it must be the bright colors and goofy drawings.

How to be a Best Friend
This is a wonderful book about what a best friend is and does. Children will immediately relate and respond to the best friend how-tos, as well as, to the illustrations of bold primary colors and silly line illustrations reminiscent of a child's line drawings. Pure joy for both children and adults. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Todd Parr is Fabulous!
As a kindergarten-first grade teacher, I love Todd Parr's books! They all have simple easy to read text and always have a laugh on every page! My class loved the page that said "Don't kiss a cootie bug!" We even created out own class book, based on Todd Parr's story. Each child wrote their own page of a do and a don't! Great Fun! I would highly reccommend all of Todd Parr's books!

Simple, funny, and true!
I adore all of the Todd Parr books! They might seem a bit silly to some people, at first, but they truly grow on you. And as a youth services library clerk, I can definitely vouch for the fact that kids LOVE these books, too! I use them for storytimes and recieve non-stop laughter. They are simple, hilarious, and impart sweet, zany wisdom...

Do read this book
Todd Parr's Do's and Dont's is a delightful read and even better when the experience is shared with a child. Do read this book. Don't eat the pages!

A hysterical view of opposite actions by kids
This books provides a series of 'laugh out loud' things kids should or shouldn't do. Underneath the actions, though, are important activities for kids like brushing their teeth and cleaning the house. We especially like the page that says "Do Brush Your Teeth...Don't Brush with Peanut Butter." This book is our son's favorite. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

This is my Hair
Great way to get my 3 year old to think about her alopecia. She went away and thought about it for a while and then came back and started asking questions. A light hearted way to start talking about being bald. Lovely illustrations. The last page comes very abruptly and I felt it was a bit of a shock after pages of this is me with my hair in the snow, in the wind etc and then this is me with no hair.

This is a very fun and clever look at how silly hair can be.
I was having a 'bad' hair day when someone gave this book to me and it instantly made me laugh. The last page of the book summarizes it all: "No matter how your hair looks, always feel good about yourself." This book is so simple, yet inspiring to people of all ages. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In author-illustrator Todd Parr's world, there are a few important rulesone must always follow when visiting the zoo. "Do feed an elephant peanuts.Don't feed her peanut butter. Do take dancing lessons with a porcupine. Don'tslow dance with him. Do wash your clothes with a rhino. Don't hang them on hishorns to dry." Civilization would be much more civil if we could all abide bythese simple behavior guidelines.

Brilliant colors and boldly outlined kid-style drawings of animals set Parr'sbooks apart from the pack, not to mention his thoroughly nutty views on socialdecorum. Every one of his outrageously goofy (yet somehow earnest) life primers,including The Okay Book,The Best Friends Book,and Do's and Don'ts, willkeep readers from 2 to 102 giggling and sputtering with delight. Parentsmight want to keep a close eye on their young ones during their nextvisit to the zoo, on the off chance Junior might forget his etiquette and try touse a snake as a bookmark or connect the dots with a leopard's spots. (Baby topreschool) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Fun story, easy to read, vivid colors
I started reading this to my daughter when she was six months old. The book is smaller than the traditional big picture books, and is very easy and quick to read. The books pages go as follows:
On one page it says: DO feed an elephant peanuts
On the opposite page it says: DON'T feed him peanut butter

The colors are very vivid and the drawing simple. This is a nice book to read to your child starting from day one! We are on our third copy of it and my daughter just turned three.
Great for a boy or a girl.

Our Son's Favorite Book!
Among the crowd of classics, such as "Goodnight Moon," and newer books by Boynton and others, this book captivates the attention of our 14-month old son, and we are grateful to the author. After two months of daily reading, we put it away. It was recently rediscovered, and he constantly reaches for it in the pile of books we make available to him. Is it the colors? The characters? Or the sheer amusement of it all? Maybe it's laughing along with his father or mother as we read it together. Highly recommended from a happy father. I'm buying more from Todd Parr!

Great
It is just as good ad the author's other book. With cute colourful illustration, it grasp my son's eye right away. ... Read more

Book Description

Babies and toddlers love to make faces and go places.In these bright, bold board books, Todd Parr celebrates funny faces from "Happy" to "Sad" to "Silly" and "Sleepy" and taking trips on everything from planes and trains to shopping carts and rocket ships! ... Read more

Book Description

There's a new dog in town and his name is Otto, a lovable, goofy dog sure to win over the preschool set. In each adventure, Otto faces a familiar childhood dilemma and resolves it in a surprising, silly, and satisfying way. What should a dog left alone in the house do? Go to the beach and meet a new friend, of course! How should a dog get himself to fall asleep? Why, he should dream about all his favorite things! Todd Parr's signature bright colors and bold images burst out on every page. Each easy-to-read story ends with a special reassuring message from Otto, giving these books the same personal touch that proved so popular in Parr's previous bestselling titles It's Okay to Be Different and The Feelings Book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great fun!
Todd Parr really gets it right. We love his illustrations and straightforward text. I like this book even better than the "Do's and Don't's" books that we've come to know well. This one is cute enough that the kids get it and the adults can grin as well. Easy, sweet, silly, fun to look at. My four-year-old adores it -- an instant favorite. Our most-loved page is when Otto brushes his teeth with "chicken flavored toothpaste." ... Read more

Amazon.com

Welcome to the world! Todd Parr, creator of Underwear Do's and Don'ts,The Feelings Book, This Is My Hair, and many morewitty and unique picture books, provides an answer to all those busy, modern,even nontraditional families who want a baby book but can't quite find the time.The first-person style invites children to fill it out themselves (with help, ofcourse). In addition to conventional features--a place for handprint, footprint,lock of hair, birth announcement, photos, etc.--Parr also allots space to recordBaby's family (with boxes to check next to "My mom[s]," "My dad[s]," etc.),whether or not Baby has an outie belly button or dimples, the types of sillyfaces Baby likes to make, and who takes care of her/him when parents are busy.Fill-in-the-blanks, multiple choice questions, and checklists make completingthe book easy and, at times, hilarious. "The first time my parents had to beaway from me I cried (yes/no), they cried (yes/no), the babysitter cried(yes/no)." Parr's signature vibrant colors and bold pen strokes on his childlikecharacter drawings ensure that this is one baby book that will truly stand outin a crowd. A pocket on the inside back cover can be used to store photos andcards, and a growth chart and stickers are also included. It's unusual, butcompletely and delightfully functional as a baby book. --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A great book for non-traditional families
When we brought home our first foster child with the hope of adopting, we felt she needed to have a baby book like any other baby would have. But we had a really hard time finding a good one. I didn't want to have to leave a lot pages blank when I didn't know all of the information that a traditional baby book asks ("When my mom found out she was pregnant, she ..."). Then I found this book. There's one page that says, "Some special babies are adopted" and a box to check that says "I was." One page says, "I'm lucky because I have..." and you write how many moms, dads, etc. The pages are easy to fill out with a lot of choice boxes to check. It's colorful with silly pictures that the child will enjoy looking out as she gets older. We're now on our second "foster with the hope of adoption" child and we're going to use this book again.

Really cool indeed!
Are you sick of all the cutesy-wootsey Beatrix Potter/Precious Moments baby books? After going the "Classic Pooh" and "Peter Rabbit" route with my first 2 kids, I opted for something a little bit cooler for Baby #3. If you are a parent that's more like "Daria" than Martha Stewart, then "My Really Cool Baby Book" is for you. It contains the usual baby book fair (i.e. growth chart, foot and hand prints, place for a lock of baby's hair, baby's vital stats, etc) but adds fun stuff as only Todd Parr can (does baby have dimples? inny or outy belly button?). Plus, this particular book is told from baby's perspective rather than Mom or Dad's. If you've read and loved Parr's other works (such as my favorite "This Is My Hair"), then you should take a look at this unconventional approach to recording Baby's first few years.

Best ever Baby book
This book is Great! you can fill in the blanks,attach stickers and record all the things a your baby does. It's not about Do's and Don'ts as the other review says and very different from his other books which are all Great

Best Babby
My Really Cool Baby Book opens up a whole new sight for young ones. They explore many things. They learn good things to do and bad things not to do. Children love it! ... Read more

Book Description

There's a new dog in town and his name is Otto, a lovable, goofy dog sure to win over the preschool set. In each adventure, Otto faces a familiar childhood dilemma and resolves it in a surprising, silly, and satisfying way. What should a dog left alone in the house do? Go to the beach and meet a new friend, of course! How should a dog get himself to fall asleep? Why, he should dream about all his favorite things! Todd Parr's signature bright colors and bold images burst out on every page. Each easy-to-read story ends with a special reassuring message from Otto, giving these books the same personal touch that proved so popular in Parr's previous bestselling titles It's Okay to Be Different and The Feelings Book. ... Read more