Odd Velvet

 

Whitcomb, Mary E., and Tara Calahan. King. Odd Velvet. Chronicle, 1998.

Genre: Fiction 

Lexile: AD820L
More info: https://www.amightygirl.com/odd-velvet?ref=blog-prd

Summary: The kids in Velvet's class don't know what to make of her. She wears brightly colored dresses to school, she likes to collect rocks and she even brings a milkweed pod to class for show and tell. At first, her classmates are not nice to her. They ignore her for being different and unique. Until one day when Velvet wins a big art competition at school for drawing a beautiful picture only using 8 crayons. Soon, her classmates begin to that Velvet's differences make her unique and special. She has a special way of viewing the world and that makes her interesting. 

Target audience:  Ages 3-7

Evaluation: This is an awesome book with a beautiful theme and detailed illustrations. This book will encourage students to embrace uniqueness and differences. This book has strong themes of anti-bullying and embracing difference. This would be a great book to read in the classroom and begin a conversation about bullying and why we should not judge people that are like Velvet. I also think the illustrations are eye catching an students will love them!

Reader response activity: I would have each student think of something that might make them special or unique. Velvet liked to collect rocks. Do they have any special hobbies or different talents that make them special? They will write a few sentences down and then we will share out with the class.