Here is an occasion where I unashamedly judged a book by its cover. The colors, vibrancy, title, and cheeky faces of the children on the front cover of Same but Little Bit Diff’rent had me instantly smitten.
This book is not only a visual delight; it is a heartwarming story with a meaningful theme. Same but Little Bit Different is a celebration of people, cultures, lifestyles, traditions, likenesses, and differences. Kylie Dunstan invites readers to look past obvious physical differences, and instead seek the similarities they share with people of different cultures or regions.
Right up the very top of Australia, there is a special place. My friend Normie comes from there and he says that things are different from what you might see in the city. ‘Same but a little bit different.
There are things that all people need regardless of their culture or where they live. They are the elements of life that bind people together: food, water, relationships with animals, play, crafts, skills, transport, work, art, and stories.
Normie shares all of these elements in the stories he tells to his city-dwelling friend. They both eat fish but ‘catch’ them from different places; they both like to swim but they swim in different types of waterways; they both enjoy playing but they play different games; they both enjoy listening to their grandfather’s stories but the stories are different.
Kylie’s illustrations are sublime. Full-color pages are created with paper collages using a variety of angles and proportions (including aerials, close-ups, long shots, and low angles). On many pages, the typography has been set to compliment the illustrations; some words swim like fish or appear in raindrops, while others snap out of a crocodile’s mouth. Each page is bold, vibrant and sharp, and captivating.
This is an endearing story for all Australian children, which has been told with heart and creativity.
Book Details:
Author/Illustrator: Kylie Dunstan
ISBN: 978-1921136603
Format: Hardback
Publisher: Helen Chamberlain Books for Windy Hollow Books, August 2012
Suitable for ages: 3+
