Book

One of a Kind, Like Me / Único como yo

by Laurin Mayeno

📖 Overview

One of a Kind, Like Me / Único como yo follows Danny, a young boy preparing for his school's costume parade. When Danny reveals his unconventional choice for a costume, his mother helps him bring his vision to life. Written in both English and Spanish, this picture book traces Danny's journey through costume selection and creation. The story takes place over a single day as Danny and his mother visit a thrift store and work together on his outfit. The bilingual narrative celebrates individuality, creativity, and the power of supportive family relationships. Through Danny's experience, the book addresses themes of self-expression and the freedom to be oneself without conforming to gender expectations.

👀 Reviews

Readers appreciate this bilingual picture book for addressing gender expression in an accessible way for young children. Parents note it helps start conversations about self-expression and acceptance. Liked: - Colorful, expressive illustrations - Natural incorporation of Spanish text - Based on author's real experiences with her son - Shows supportive family relationships - Normalizes boys wearing dresses without making it the central conflict Disliked: - Some readers found the Spanish translation awkward in places - A few mentioned the story feels more message-driven than plot-driven Ratings: Goodreads: 4.23/5 (115 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (51 ratings) "Perfect for teaching acceptance and celebrating differences," wrote one teacher on Goodreads. An Amazon reviewer noted, "My 4-year-old requested this book multiple nights in a row - the story resonates with kids who like to dress up and be creative."

📚 Similar books

Jacob's New Dress by Sarah Hoffman A boy expresses himself by wearing dresses to school despite facing reactions from classmates.

Red: A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall A blue crayon with a red label discovers the freedom to be true to its real identity.

It Feels Good to Be Yourself by Theresa Thorn Children learn about gender identity through stories of diverse characters who express themselves in different ways.

Julian Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love A boy sees three women dressed as mermaids and creates his own costume with the support of his grandmother.

Introducing Teddy: A Gentle Story About Gender and Friendship by Jessica Walton A teddy bear shares with a friend the truth about being a girl teddy instead of a boy teddy.

🤔 Interesting facts

🌟 Author Laurin Mayeno wrote this bilingual children's book inspired by her own son Danny, who loved to dress up and pretend, challenging traditional gender norms. 🎭 The story follows Danny, who wants to dress as a princess for his school's parade, showing that children should feel free to express themselves authentically. 📚 The book is written in both English and Spanish on each page, making it accessible to dual-language families and promoting bilingual literacy. 🎨 Illustrator Robert Liu-Trujillo used vibrant watercolors to create inclusive imagery that represents diverse families and body types. 🏆 The book has been recognized by the American Library Association's Rainbow Book List, which highlights quality LGBTQIA+ literature for children and teens.