Reviews

You are Special by Sam Loman

idgey's review

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

danyalvy's review

4.0

Thank you to NetGalley and Clovis Publishing for my gifted eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The illustrations in this book are absolutely adorable! The colors are bright and vibrant and I really like that the color’s word is bigger than the rest of the text to help connect the two. The thing that bothers me about the story though, is that most of Kiki’s friends are not very nice, and either don’t pay attention to her or basically tell her that she’s not as good as them. Also, I’m not sure that the story fully gets the message across as intended. The ending is a little abrupt and I don’t think the mom’s quick comment really drives home the point like it should.

twiinklex's review against another edition

3.0

Celebrate your individuality!

I liked the concept of this book but wish there was more to the ending then just the brother. It would have been nice to see Kiki truly comfortable in her own skin and appreciating herself for who she is.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

graypeape's review

3.0

I'm conflicted about this book. Kiki, an all-white cat, feels she isn't special; she wishes she had pretty colors like her friends. She gets the idea to add color to herself with paint and colored pencils, and asks her friends what they think. Eventually, her brother, an all-black cat joins in. Ultimately, their mother tells them they're special no matter what they look like, and all is well, the end. Now, the ultimate message is good, the illustrations are sweetly drawn and pretty, and kiddos can learn some colors as they go through the story. However.....
The execution is lacking. Kiki's friends are kind of jerks, and a bit narcissistic. When she asks each friend how they like her new look (she adds a new color before asking each one), their responses are underwhelming: Ladybug says she looks okay, Butterfly straight up ignores her, Giraffe says "Pretty," but is actually talking to herself in the mirror, Frog doesn't notice anything, Peacock says "You're not as pretty as me," Pig at least says "Very nice," but Kiki isn't satisfied with that, she's gotta be "special" (she's a bit narcissistic too). Finally, she ends up with her brother, and they both get purple paint spilled all over them, then adding more colors to be even more special. They go home, and finally get the message from Mom that they're special no matter what, and get cleaned up. The story means well, it's trying to convey the message of being yourself, and that you are special, but it would've come across better if her friends had repeated that message instead of being jerks (not you, Pig, you tried to be nice at least). This made it feel like "your friends don't really care about you" instead of "your friends don't care how you look, they think you're special anyway." Maybe I'm overthinking this, I don't know.

#YouareSpecial #NetGalley

smorrison4's review

4.0

I requested and received an e-ARC of this book from Sam Loman and Clavis Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a cute book about trying to change yourself to fit in, not feeling special, and eventually appreciating that you are special. The illustrations are fun and colourful.

kta's review

3.0

This is a sweet little picture book about being special for who and how you are. It also covers basic colors in a fun way as Kiki paints herself. I don't think Kiki's "friends" were always kind though,
"I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

ksteigert's review

5.0

Kiki is a cat who thinks her fur color is boring. She sees all the different colors that her friends have, and wants to be like them. She tries many different colors, finally settling on a rainbow of assorted colors to add to her fur. She does indeed look pretty when finished, but her fur color isn’t what makes her special, she is special just as she is.

What a sweet story for children! I love that it not only shows inclusiveness of all the different colors that her friends are, but also that her own color is just perfect for her. She is special just like her friends are, no matter what color they are.

I’m excited to add this story to our preschool curriculum, as I am really wanting to focus on inclusivity this year. Great story!

ptandon's review

1.0

The story idea is good and very cute but my kindle book had various issues :
Wasn’t visible on paper white kindle
Pages were not In sequence
One page was divided into two locations on kindle

We could not enjoy it because of these issues.

librarianryan's review

3.0

I think this book is sending mixed messages. Kiki is a white cat who does not feel special when she looks in mirror because she is not bright and colorful like all her friends. So she starts coloring herself. And so does her brother. When they go back home to mom they feel noticed and special, and as mom gives them a bath she reminds them they are special just the way they are. I know that is the message the book is trying to portray, but I think it gets lost. Every time Kiki adds a color no one really pays attention until she completely changes herself. Her brother the black cat feels the same way. When I put it to real life thinking, it makes me think of people and make up and how some just layer it on like paint to look like someone new. Or even those who darken or lighten their skin color through tanning and skin bleaching. I really wanted to like this book, and as an adult I know I am reading too much into it, but it makes me think that if I find the message mixed, how will children find it.