Little Jimmy Says, "Same Is Lame" Hardcover – Picture Book, August 4, 2014

Great children's book that promotes self-confidence and self-acceptance for those that feel or look different from "normal" as their peers might say. Engaging pictures and presentation. I purchased copies for my grandchildren and my cousin's children to help them to see their uniqueness as a blessing and something to be proud of. In an age of so much bullying, the message of this book is very needed!

This is a book every kid should read and could easily be a part of the curriculum of school systems. My daughter and I loved reading it!

The point of this book is to teach the children of both respect and self-esteem. It is very important to put into their heads the idea that everyone is unique no matter their differences and disadvantages. This is partly connected to the positive thinking and the way to find something good in every man and situation. Kids should be taught from very young age that nobody is perfect and that there is no need to be ashamed or isolated because they are different (or someone thinks they are). This is necessary because, on one side, some children, on purpose or not, might be very mean by making fun and, on the other side, they should learn this lesson as well in order not to treat others this way. If anyone thinks they have such a flaw, this book will help them believe in themselves and turn it into their privilege.In the form of rhymes and funny pictures, the author reaches easily the audience, setting an example and entertaining. This book is aimed at the young auditory but it is also suitable for all ages. It took only 10 minutes to read it and it could be used as a guide that reminds you that there is always another way.The title itself “Same is Lame” is very rememberable and sounds like a motto that kids will use for sure. And hopefully they would stop copying everybody else and try being different and unique. I’m giving 4 stars because I feel that little more examples could be included.

Marketing expert, magician, author and ventriloquist Jimmy Vee explains why being different is much more interesting than living an ordinary existence in this antibullying picture book."Because I am different, it makes me feel proud. I’d rather stand out than blend in with the crowd."Vee encourages young readers to celebrate their appearance and abilities while acknowledging (and even profiting from) the fact that they are not like everybody else.Rhyming upbeat text and bright, colorful cartoon-ish illustrations depict children and adults wearing glasses, experiencing baldness, wearing braces, having a large nose, freckled, being a different height than your peers and having a facial scar. Young readers, especially with encouragement from adults, are invited to think about ways differences can be appreciated and ultimately be perceived as assets.

I received the book “Same is Lame” for free as part of an early reviewer program.The title, uses an ableist word (lame used as an insult/derogatory meaning a person who cannot walk). It’s no better than saying “Same is Retarded.” This put me off from the get go. HOWEVER many people do not use this word realizing its problematic, so, I could let this go…I cannot let the rest of it go.Let’s break it down.The ILLUSTRATIONSThe faces on the many people in this book are caricature like with emphasized faces (big teeth, big noses, etc) and smaller bodies. I did not find it visually appealing. The page layout is bright and busy. My kid testers (aged 5, 7, and 14) stated they didn’t care for the pictures and that some of it “Looked really weird.”THE PROSE - Good god man.It’s one of those rhyming books. Some rhyming books, like “The Gruffalo” roll off the tongue and are quite enjoyable to read and re-read. This one’s rhyme scheme reminded me of eighth grade poetry class when I had to compose a poem. I wanted to use the word “relocation” and could only come up with “station” as a rhyme.Examples:“But, I can’t reach the sugar, so am I freak? Of course not, it makes me unique!”You’re unique because you’re short, or because you can’t reach the sugar?Or even better yet, on a page with the main character (the author) Elton John and John Lennon getting their walk of fame imprints, it reads:“Ordinary is boring and same is lame. Having cool glasses can bring you some fame!”Because all Elton John or John Lennon needed were some funky glasses?? You mean fame is what we need to reach for and our sight impairment will get us there????And the piece de resistance:“I’m a magician and make things disappear. After reading this book, you’ll have nothing to fear.”Sigh.Another criticism of the book is that it doesn’t meet its lower age range of “4 to adult.” With words and phrases like “motivational speaker,” “self conscious” and “empower,” as well as cultural references such as Elton John, it left my five year old lost, confused, and wondering when mommy would stop reading already.Last but not leastTHE MESSAGEThe only differences mentioned are minor body image issues such as wearing glasses, being short, or having a big nose. Weight, disability, bullying, lgbt and other pressing issues with young people today were not discussed at all.The encouragement towards being different were platitudes that wouldn’t mean much to a young person facing adversity. “We’re all unique in our own special way,” doesn’t really help much when a person is being actively bullied.The most dangerous message here though, is that responsibility for acceptance lies with the person with differences. “You’ll win the game when you start to believe that what makes you different will help you succeed.”I was pelted with rocks at the bus stop for two weeks because I was a gender neutral kid. I was spat on, kicked and bruised. I held my ground I knew I had a right to stand at the bus stop. I believed in myself.I was still hit with rocks.I asked my son, who was also bullied at school, if that book would have helped him feel better about being teased for his differences.“No mom, this book is a piece of crap.”