therainbowshelf's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
A sweet picture book taking a look at different types of ability differences people have. They cover wheelchair use, autism, diabetes, and many others in the context of a group of diverse kids doing garden work together.
Content Warnings
Minor: Medical content
ginabbina's review against another edition
5.0
The framing of this book is that gardens have all different kinds of plants like fruits, flowers, grasses; some plants need shade, some need lots of watering, etc. Then there's a page for each kid explaining something about themselves, like a blind kid, an autistic kid, a kid who uses a wheelchair. The main theme is diversity, and each kid explains how they're like other kids, in addition to what's different about them. It's a bit more informational than other similar books.
It's a bit wordy for a picture book, I'd guess appropriate for early elementary school. The art is really cute.
It's a bit wordy for a picture book, I'd guess appropriate for early elementary school. The art is really cute.
rryep's review against another edition
5.0
**Commentary
+Nonfiction
+Main Topics: Differently Abled Individuals, Physical & Mental Disability, Cultural
+BIPOC characters
+biPOC Author, Differently Abled
+Author Note
+Monarch Award 2021
+Nonfiction
+Main Topics: Differently Abled Individuals, Physical & Mental Disability, Cultural
+BIPOC characters
+biPOC Author, Differently Abled
+Author Note
+Monarch Award 2021
msgabbythelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
This book win the Schneider Family Book Award for its artistic expression of the disability experience.
What a wonderful book about differences in children--from those who are blind and deaf, to those with ADD and Tourettes, to those who have Downs Syndrome or Diabetes. It is a wonderful conversation starter for children. It brings "tough topics" into light and actually a light that is approachable and accessible.
Definitely a fan!!
What a wonderful book about differences in children--from those who are blind and deaf, to those with ADD and Tourettes, to those who have Downs Syndrome or Diabetes. It is a wonderful conversation starter for children. It brings "tough topics" into light and actually a light that is approachable and accessible.
Definitely a fan!!
jesy's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Great way to open conversations about people's different medical needs and the medical tools that might assist with some daily needs. My kids liked seeing asthma and dyslexia represented as they often feel that not many know what challenges they might be fighting to overcome because of these medical conditions.
I love the idea of encouraging kids to ask questions about others while also respecting that not everyone is comfortable sharing. Im glad she included the encouragement to talk to parents and teachers to learn more about people's differences.
I love the idea of encouraging kids to ask questions about others while also respecting that not everyone is comfortable sharing. Im glad she included the encouragement to talk to parents and teachers to learn more about people's differences.
mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
4.0
A lot of words for a picture book. But a good solid take on diversity. But the art doesn't really serve the story. This would probably work better with less kids (and less diversity). But then the kids would be able to interact more in the story and we would be able to see the impact each has on the garden. Or this would have to be a lot longer. Very readable though.
hfiedler's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful, relatable, and impactful. Highly recommended!
oliviak07's review against another edition
4.0
A co-worker shared this book with me before it officially hit our shelves, and what an experience U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor's "Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You" turned out to be!
A beautiful, colorful, diverse, and encouraging "call and response" style of children's picture book, that motivates children to just ask and in return learn more about their peers who might stand out for physical, mental, and emotional reasons. It shows the younger audience that by asking certain questions in certain ways that we can grow a garden of knowledge and acceptance.
I hope every public, school, and personal library will let the children they serve and support flip through these pages and grow wiser and kinder through the dialogue and words. I will make sure a copy is included in my classroom.
A beautiful, colorful, diverse, and encouraging "call and response" style of children's picture book, that motivates children to just ask and in return learn more about their peers who might stand out for physical, mental, and emotional reasons. It shows the younger audience that by asking certain questions in certain ways that we can grow a garden of knowledge and acceptance.
I hope every public, school, and personal library will let the children they serve and support flip through these pages and grow wiser and kinder through the dialogue and words. I will make sure a copy is included in my classroom.