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lattelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
Kostecki-Shaw's book juxtaposes two children and two manners of culture and living. Alongside their differences, Elliot and Kailash and their experiences share many similarities! In a world that holds so many different ways of living, this book offers an optimistic and enthusiastic appreciation for other ways of living, without judgement. And even more so, the illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, and help to illuminate the differences and similarities that they're so excited to write about. Overall, this is a fun book that introduces children to other parts of the world and to different cultures, making this an important and necessary read.
Review cross-listed here!
Review cross-listed here!
kristenremenar's review against another edition
3.0
Elliot in the U.S. is pen pals with Kailash in India. They write about their lives and find that things are "same, same but different". Nice as a writing prompt. Compare with Pilutti's "The City Kid and the Suburb Kid" - another story of pen pals comparing lifestyles.
jwinchell's review against another edition
4.0
This is on the 2014 Monarch list.
Even though this book simplifies cultures, I really liked the way it showed two boys from different parts of the world learning about each other through an art-based pen pal program. The power is in the images--the collage, the bright colors, the nuances. My preschool-aged boys loved looking for the parallels and differences in Elliott's and Kailash's pages. For little boys like mine who are just learning that the world is a very big place, this book was a helpful way to open their minds a little further.
Even though this book simplifies cultures, I really liked the way it showed two boys from different parts of the world learning about each other through an art-based pen pal program. The power is in the images--the collage, the bright colors, the nuances. My preschool-aged boys loved looking for the parallels and differences in Elliott's and Kailash's pages. For little boys like mine who are just learning that the world is a very big place, this book was a helpful way to open their minds a little further.
beths0103's review against another edition
4.0
Two boys, one from New York and one from India, share pen pal letters with each other and see all the things that make them the same, but also different. Beautiful message and lovely illustrations.
vpatrick12's review against another edition
4.0
The cultural diversity depicted in this story is wonderful! And it still expresses that even in all the ways we are different, in some ways we are all very much the same.
readingtheskyline's review against another edition
5.0
What a fun book. I loved reading it and seeing the differences and similarities that everyone shares
shawnareads24's review against another edition
4.0
The story of two boys, one in America and one in India, who become pen pals sharing about their lives. The illustrations are vibrant and complement the simple text and help convey the message that we are all parts of one world. A great springboard for global collaboration, moving from pen pals to Skype or email pals!
waterviolite's review against another edition
4.0
This book is told through pen pal letters between Elliot (from the US) and Kailash (from India). As they each share about their homes and their lives, they realize that they are both the same and different in many ways. The story is a lovely introduction to other cultures which goes beyond food and festivals and, while it shows differences, does not assign any value judgments or show either culture to be better than the other. This could be used in a unit about other cultures or to introduce an assignment of writing real or imaginary pen pal letters.
middle_name_joy's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5