Cover Image: If Only...

If Only...

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Member Reviews

A very sweet tale of perspective and self-acceptance! A child dreams of being a butterfly so they could fly everywhere. Meanwhile the butterfly wishes they were a stick insect, and so on... This would be a great read for preschoolers and could start a great conversation about all the things we wish we were and the things that we don't always appreciate about being ourselves.

In addition to a lovely message, the art is just stunning! Each page is a gorgeous saturated illustration bursting with energy and color. After I finished reading I had to go back just to admire the beauty and detail. Kids will be enthralled! This would make an excellent addition to school, classroom, and community libraries!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

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With simple but colorful [and expressive] illustrations, this beautiful book tells a tale as old as time - "What if I were/How easier life would be if I were someone/something else" in a lovely and refreshing new way that makes this book a wonderful read that will be enjoyed over and over again. Teaching littles and adults alike [because let's face it, adults STILL do the comparison/what if thing too] that while its great to see others and admire what THEY can do, it is best to just be who you you are RIGHT NOW and how important that really is and how being just who you are can be so helpful to others, sometimes when you don't even know it. This was just such a great and enjoyable read* and once again, I wish I had littles of my own to share this with. [*Notes and activities are available at the end of the book and just add to the whole experience].

Thank you to NetGalley, Mies van Hout, David Colmer - Translator, and Pajama Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Incredible book discussing differences in a unique manner. In the classroom, students acknowledge differences and why they’re good frequently. Young students often compare themselves to other students being sad that another student is “smarter, faster, stronger, etc.” This book can provide parents or teacher and opportunity to acknowledge differences that can make students sad. Through this book, insects imagine “what if scenarios” that they notice they lack in but another insect gets to enjoy in life such as the butterfly. They are seen as bright and beautiful but what if they didn’t want to stand out? What if they wanted to blend in like a stickbug? What an awesome opportunity to discuss both points. What are the pros and cons to both, are both good? Can both be beautiful in their own ways. Through this book there are many scenarios students will have the opportunity to explore with critical thinking. This could build on to them finding the good in the flaws they see in themselves. So many amazing opportunities for discussions in the classroom.
Must have for any elementary classroom.
Thank you Pajama Press and NetGalley for an advanced e-reader copy of this book,

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If Only... by Mies van Hout - 4/5

If Only is ones of those stories that you know you will truly love to read with your children, and it gives you a chance to sit and listen to them explain and explore their "if Only's."

This is a beautiful story filled with moments of wondering what the world would be like if only you had wings like a butterfly, fins like a sea turtle, blue eyes like a friend or blond hair like a neighbor. We all have those moments, and this book allows us to explore those feelings and talk about them. The story line is great, and the illustrations are coloring and fun.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

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This is a Children's book that I read to my kids. This is a simple children's book that shows kids that everything wants to be what they are not. I think it has a great message, and the pictures are so cute. I love that in the back of the back as facts about the bugs that are throughout this book. My kids really enjoyed this book too. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

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This children's book tells about a variety of creatures who all think about what it would be like to be a different creature. Each page follows the same pattern of text making it fairly easy to read and comprehend. The text is clean and neat, but is fairly small and is white on textured backgrounds, making it a bit harder to read at times. The illustrations are super neat and I could see using them as inspiration for an art project. I also think that because the text is repetitive and simple, it would a nice mentor text for young writers to use as a framework for their own writing. The book ends with a glossary of all of the creatures listed. I think this is a great book and would definitely consider purchasing a copy for my classroom library. I would recommend this book to parents and teachers of children in the age 4-9 range. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this lovely book!

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