"One" by Kathryn Otoshi
Yesterday I had the pleasure of getting my hands on a copy of this year’s picture book winner of the E.B. White Read Aloud Award, given by the Association of Booksellers for Children. One, by Kathryn Otoshi (What Emily Saw) is as simple a picture book as it is profound.
From the moment you look at the book cover and read the first page, you know you’re about to experience something special. The concept, a story about bullying that uses splotches of color and numbers to speak of the power of one person to initiate change, is highly original, and its execution, flawless. When One stands up to Red, who is bullying Blue, all the other colors who felt for Blue but had been afraid to speak up, follow his lead and turn into numbers who “count.” In the process, Red isn’t ostracized, but told by One that he, too, can count. “Everyone counts!” they all shout.
My seven year-old was clearly touched by the book’s message of inclusion. She said: “It was nice of them to say that. I bet nobody had ever been nice to Red before.” So young and so wise… I have a feeling we will be gifting this book to friends and telling one and all about it.
Read Kathryn Otoshi’s interview at Character Counts, where she talks about what inspired the book. And for more, check out Alison Morris’ post at the Shelftalker: A Children’s Bookseller’s Blog, written when the book came out, last year.
July 29th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Oh, must read this. Adding it to our wish list and will feature it in our “What Do I Read Next.” Thanks for sharing this.
July 30th, 2009 at 3:35 am
This sounds such a special book – thank you for writing about it. And its message of inclusion obviously works – your daughter’s response is quite humbling.
July 30th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Sounds good, I must try and find it!
March 25th, 2010 at 11:48 am
I just attended an event where Kathryn Otoshi was the keynote speaker and she read her book “One” while elementary students acted out the characters while she read the story. I didn’t have an opportunity to get the book because the table after the event was packed with people who wanted to meet her and buy the book. From listening to Kathryn read, it’s a must-have book if you have children, work with children, or even for the child in you. I’m going right out to buy a copy!
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