Same, Same But Different Hardcover – Picture Book, September 13, 2011

Beautiful story about two children from different countries across the world who become pen pals - encourages young children to imagine what it would be like to live in another country across the world, to speak another language, to live in another culture and family structure, to live and learn in a different part of the world, and to develop increased understanding and empathy for people who live in other parts of the world. A beautiful, beautiful book with exceptionally beautiful artwork. Very appealing and engaging for young children. I read this book in four Kindergarten classrooms this week, and the students were very engaged with this story and the illustrations.

This is such a wonderful book. My daughter turned Eliot into a girl, and that made me happy that the author chose a gender neutral name so my daughter could relate to the material (being that this is seemingly about two boys -but not strictly, it's easy to foresee non binary roles if you'd like) - this writer is so good, and creative - the imagination in the characters, the artwork and the story is just lovely. I could actually see sequels to this - with the same patterning but different family types (beyond seemingly nuclear US families) and into other countries/regions where children can learn about other cultures. it's inspiring. SO WORTH THE PURCHASE! <3

This book is a rare find that introduces India as a living place, not a myth.I wanted a book to read my three year old when my wife went on a business trip to India. I wanted a book that was about India as a real country, not a place of myths and dated stories. I did not just want a big book of facts. Wow, did "Same, Same but Different" deliver! My son loves it when we read about Elliot and Kailash. We can talk about how both boys ride a bus to school and how those buses are different.When my wife came home, she could sit with him and talk about how the part of India she visited - more urban than the book's setting - compared with what the pictures show.The illustrations are beautiful, and it is a pleasure to read and discuss with my son. If someone in the family is traveling to India, or if you just want a book about a different culture that relies on the real world and not stereotypes or myths, this book is a great choice.

This is such an amazing book! I used it with my first grade class and they loved it. The pictures are fun and the story is life changing. I recommend this for every elementary teacher and parent with younger children.

I enjoyed reading and sharing this book. Not only is the language simple and straightforward, but the illustrations compliment the writing perfectly. The illustrations are bright and colorful and highlight the similarities and differences between the two boys. I've really come to love collage as an art form and this book demonstrates the characteristics that make collage so unique. I had a fun discussion with a group of kindergartners about the different materials used in collage I had a fun discussion with a group of kindergartners about the different materials used in collage and how that effected the feel of the book. It was great.It was interesting to listen to the comments of the children as they looked at the pictures illustrating some of the differences between the places that Elliot and Kailash live. The elephant on the same street as cars, pedestrians and carts especially caught their attention. This book provides a nice way to introduce to children the idea that people in other places are both the same and different as they are.

This book is perfect for classrooms! I read it at the beginning of the year to build community, to discuss similarities and differences, and to learn about other cultures. It’s one of my new favorites.

I bought this copy for my little free library, But I have decided to keep it for my own collection of Childrens Books. The illustrations are superior and the images quite engaging. The text and messages are heartwarming and promote diversity and ethnic Harmony. It’s a book that we need right now. Thank you to the author for such insightful words during difficult times!

This is an absolutely outstanding book! I used this book as an anchor in a “Family” themed kindergarten social studies unit. Inspired by this book, and many other stories about various family relationships, students wrote to grandparents, received and shared replies (of their own accord, chanting “Same, Same but Different!” when they heard similarities between their grandparents’ letters) and invited their own parents in to share something their family loved to do.We then created our own ‘class book’ inspired by Same, Same but Different, which highlighted our appreciation of our similarities and differences. I think it could easily be the anchor book for numerous lessons on appreciating diversity! Thank you Ms. Kostecki-Shaw! I can’t wait to read your next books!

Amazing message and story format

I bought this book seeing wonderful reviews here on Amazon. I am an Indian living outside my country and my child wanted to know why she looks different than the others and other similar questions. This book is full of stereotypes like, Indians live in joint families (22-23 family members!), there are bullock carts, elephants and camels on the road, we have peacocks dancing everywhere, we revere the cow, and we love yoga! I guess there are ways to talk about cultural differences and this book fails miserably in having any sensitive approach. Also, I have lived almost 30 years of my life in India and have never heard anyone say, "same same but different". Please avoid this book

This book is an important material to talk with kids about how plural the human being can be.

Great!

Deux enfants vivant aux antipodes correspondent et en parlant de leur vie et de leur famille, se rendent comptent que bien que vivant différemment ils sont pareils. Un livre parfait pour inculquer de belles valeurs aux enfants, en anglais.