Review: Good lessons but one hidden danger.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 17, 2013
As someone who worked in libraries and started their post high school education in library science and special education,  I read children's book with an eye toward the lessons in them.  Let's get the danger part out of the way first.  First, if you have a curious 9-11 yeaar old or a class of them reading this please make sure they understand the dangers of touching things that seem to be electrified or of touching someone else that is touching something that feels like electricity is charging through their body (loc 480).  Things can often be electrified even if there is no cord to be seen. A lesson of the dangers of electricity and what to use (a large wooden board, etc.) and what not to use (anything metal, etc. that conducts electricity)to knock their friend away from what the may be touching and can't let go of.  As a person who ended their formal education with a degree in Electrical Engineering, I was worried about how this might make kids feel that it is ok to "feel like electricity is charging through their bodies".Now as to the rest of the book.  I enjoyed the story.  It's presents a good lesson in accepting others as they are with the main focus being on different skin colors.  There's also a lesson on facing your fears, although this one might be taught with a little caution to youngsters that might do things just because others are doing them.I enjoy reading Children's books just for the stories and I found reading this enjoyable but I also kept seeing a multitude of things that a good teacher could turn into a lesson.I think this may be a little young for most 11 year olds but then I'm 54 and enjoyed the story.