The Only One Club

by Jane Naliboff, Jeff Hopkins (Illustrator)

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781936261307
Publisher:	Flashlight Press
Publication date:	10/01/2013
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	7.30(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.20(d)
Age Range:	5 - 7 Years

About the Author

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.

Editorial Reviews

This book encourages children to look for special qualities in others.

Learning Magazine

Jennifer, the only Jewish child in her first-grade class, is given the honor of making Hanukkah decorations and she basks in the glow of all the attention. The next day, flush with pride, she proudly sports a button proclaiming "The Only One Club" to celebrate her uniqueness. As other classmates ask to join the club, Jennifer resents their intrusion even though the children point out their own special traits. Later that night, she rethinks her response to her classmates and knows just what she must do. She returns to school with buttons for everyone because everyone has something no one else has. The class—in an animated response—gleefully acknowledge the things that make each of them stand out: Jonah's red hair, Alex who was born on a bus, Julia who can jump Double-Dutch, and Steven with his big "humongous front teeth." This simple story with its expressive mixed-media illustrations addresses diversity and uniqueness while recognizing a child's need to belong to the group. The story works beyond the holiday season and multicultural classrooms can use the book as a springboard for discussion. 2004, Flashlight Press, Ages 6 to 9.
—Beverley Fahey

Children's Literature

"Jennifer turns her uniqueness into an asset ... a great lesson to share during this holiday season."  —Miami Herald

"Friendly illustrations emphasize an upbeat and positive message about the value of differences and the importance of tolerance and acceptance."  —Midwest Book Review

"Embraced by librarians and school teachers alike for its engaging storyline and its underlying message."  —The Franklin Journal (Maine)

From the Publisher