8 Picture Books About Feeling Different But Finding Your Place  & 5 Book Giveaway!

Please welcome Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen with her list of 8 Picture Books About Feeling Different But Finding Your Place.

We are giving away 5 copies of her picture book Splatypus. Please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom to enter.

8 Picture Books About Feeling Different But Finding Your Place 

1. Flight School by Lita Judge

Little Penguin wants to fly — no matter what anyone says about aeronautical deficiencies of the penguin body. He perseveres, relying more on willpower than talent. Eventually, adding an encouraging teacher and a dash of teamwork allows Little Penguin to soar to new heights. I love how this story makes you believe in miracles — even if they need a little assistance. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

2. Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes

Chrysanthemum loves the uniqueness of her name until she realizes at school that unique means different and that different isn’t always accepted. Her self-esteem is deeply affected by her classmates making her feel out of place. But Chrysanthemum finds a kindred spirit and learns a lesson I myself have struggled with often — that even things (and people) that don’t seem to belong do actually belong somewhere. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

3. Unlike Other Monsters by Audrey Vernick,‎ illustrated by Colin Jack

Everyone knows monsters don’t have friends, so Zander (himself a monster) isn’t surprised by his friendless state. But while he is unsurprised, he is also disappointed. Unlike other monsters, Zander longs for friendship — which he thinks he may have found in the form of a little red bird. Before Zander can truly bond with his new friend he has to learn to let go of other people’s (or other monsters’) expectations and give himself permission to be himself. A sweet story of finding new friends and also of finding yourself. [picture book, ages 5 and up]

4. Stellaluna by Janell Cannon

Stellaluna is a bat in a bird family. To fit in, she does her best to be perfectly bird-like before she realizes that you don’t have to be alike in every way to belong together. Each of us, at some point in our lives, struggles with trying to be someone we are not — just like Stellaluna. And just like Stellaluna, we need reminders that true family (and friends) love us for who we are on the inside, not for what we look like on the outside. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

5. Nerdy Birdy by Aaron Reynolds,‎ illustrated by Matt Davies

Like most kids, Nerdy Birdy wants to hang with the cool crowd. But the things he likes are less cool and more…well, nerdy. Luckily, he’s not the only one and, soon, Nerdy Birdy has not only found his flock but has learned that there is more than one way to be in life to be happy. As a lifelong nerdy chick, I know exactly how badly it feels to think you’re being left out and how good it feels when you find a group who thinks there’s always room for you. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

6. Alan’s Big, Scary Teeth by Jarvis

Alan the alligator feels defined by his razor-sharp teeth. Everyone knows him for his teeth, and no one knows his teeth are false. When he can’t find his teeth one morning, Alan is forced to find a new way to fit into the world. This is a great lesson for anyone faced with an unwanted change and needs to learn how to make lemonade out of lemons. [picture book, ages 2 and up]

7. Two Eggs, Please by Sarah Weeks,‎  illustrated by Betsy Lewin

Everyone at this diner wants two eggs. But no two customers are the same, so no two orders are the same either. A great way to show the common ground shared by different people and how to find similarities in things that appear different. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

8. Splatypus by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic

Platypus has a simple problem: he wants to play. He just doesn’t know what to do, who to play with, or how he’ll figure out his dilemma. Every activity he attempts to join ends in a disappointing SPLAT — except at the end, when the SPLAT is exactly what was needed! A story about trying, failing, and trying again…and again…and again. (And in some ways, the story of my life!) [picture book, ages 3 and up]

5 Book Giveaway of Splatypus

We are giving away 5 copies of her picture book Splatypus. Please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom to enter. We can only mail to U.S. and APO addresses.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen is the author of many children’s books, includingTyrannosaurus Wrecks and Quackenstein Hatches a Family. She lives in New Jersey.

To learn more, check out her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

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