Selected as one of the Anti-Defamation League's (ADL) Recommended Cultural and Anti-Bias Books for Children, a Society of School Librarians International Honor Book, and as an Accelerated Reader book
"[This book] will help educators and families encourage appreciation of self and others in young children." —ADL
"An extraordinary 'holiday book' for any day of the year..." —Haemi Balgassi, author, Peacebound Trains
"It's hard not to like [this book]...in a world filled with intolerance and hatred, it's a message we could all do with hearing again and again." —Detroit Jewish News
"The way Naliboff deals with the need for each child to feel unique and special is touching." —Patty Foster, MyShelf.com
"Jennifer turns her uniqueness into an asset ... a great lesson to share during this holiday season." —Miami Herald
"Embraced by librarians and school teachers alike for its engaging storyline and its underlying message." —The Franklin Journal (Maine)
"For Jewish kids—and all kids who have ever felt 'other'—[this book] offers a bit of hope in a cynical world." —Susan Edelman, Jbooks.com
"[This] picture book . . . shows that each child can feel respected and valued for being unique." —Jewish Woman Magazine
"The gently instructive story is complemented by illustrations...that buoyantly capture the distinict characteristics of each child." —Jewish Book World
"This simple story...addresses diversity and uniqueness while recognizing a child’s need to belong to the group." —Children’s Literature
"Young readers will try to think of attributes that make them unique, and may . . . look . . . for special qualities in others." —Post Register
"Delightfully refreshing…I strongly recommend this book for its readability and its high quality treatment of a difficult subject." —Blether.com
"This book encourages children to look for special qualities in others." —Learning Magazine
This heartwarming story explores the many ways in which children feel unique and special. Mrs. Matthews's first grade class begins making Christmas decorations, but because Jennifer is Jewish, Mrs. Matthews allows her to make Hanukkah decorations instead. Jennifer enjoys the attention and creates "The Only One Club," of which she is the sole member. When her classmates want to join, she is resistant until she realizes that each of her friends is also "the only one" at something. As she inducts them into her club she reveals the unique qualities that make each of her classmates extraordinary. Through this touching story, young children are encouraged to discover and treasure their own uniqueness and to actively look for special qualities in others beyond race or culture. A medley of pencil, watercolor, acrylic paint, and pastel illustrations bring this inspiring and humorous tale to life.
Jane Naliboff is the author of Kids Will Be Kids. She has published children's stories in Cricket, Hopscotch, and Spider. She lives in Vienna, Maine. Jeff Hopkins has worked as a museum educator for the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art, where he served as artist-in-residence for after-school art programs for K–2 students. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.
View interior graphics from this book.
Classroom of Only Ones (24K)
Childrens: Picture Books
Age Range: 5 to 8
32 pages, Cloth, 8 1/2 x 11
Color Illustrations Throughout
Distribution Rights: WOR
$15.95 (CAN $22.95)
9780972922531 (0972922539) Pub Date: October 2004
Flashlight Press