Dan Haseltine

I thought this was a very good read for younger elementary grades. This was a trade book that we read in my health class. This story talks about a little boy who wishes he had all these characteristics that would make him different than everyone else. He wishes he had feathers, or a horn on his head. His mom at the end tells him that he is special without all of the characteristics he wishes he had. I gave this story a four out of five stars because I think it has a great message. I love how it shows that you don't have to be unique and different on the outside, because everyone is different from one another as is. The illustrations had vibrant pictures with paint. The artist had used bright colors to go along with the boys silly characteristics. It made the characteristics stand out using vibrant colors. A teacher could use this in a classroom by showing students they are unique. They shouldn't try to be something else, just because they want to look different than everyone else. This was a great read.… (altro)

The story opens with a little boy disappointed and frustrated with how boring he is. He wishes he had feathers. He wishes for many things that would make him a very interesting and magnificent person. He says how wonderful it would be because everyone would want to come see how wonderful and amazing he is. The little boy realizes that there is a problem though. All of the things he is trying to glue and tape on himself will not stay. He becomes disappointed that he has to stay just like everyone else. His mother comes in and sees her son’s sadness. His mom tells him that he is unique and there is no one else like him. This brightens his spirits and he begins to see how magnificent he really is just being himself.
This book is good for children because at all stages of school every child struggles with who they are. The illustration is very whimsical and fun. This keeps children’s attention very well. It would be nice to see the little boy in this story connect with other children as well instead of just his mother being his friend.
After reading this have students draw a picture of something they think is unique or magnificent to share with the class to make the concept that we all have different definitions of what is unique more concrete.… (altro)