One of These Is Not Like the Others

PreS-Gr 1–Using amusing illustrations and simple couplets, Saltzberg celebrates differences. Each line gets its own two-page spread, and each couplet begins with the line, “One of these is not like the others.” and is paired with an illustration of four critters in which one is different: three cows and an elephant; three pigs and a wolf; three bunnies and a bicycle; and so on. The following page finishes the couplet, “But we can still be friends.” The matching illustration shows the four characters interacting or having an adventure. It is fitting that there is one couplet that’s not like the others, in which a pielike creature eats the pies it’s paired with: “And the other three were delicious.” The final couplet declares “Some of us are a little different. And that’s the way we like it!” as all the critters featured in the book joyously dance amid falling confetti. The generous use of white space lets the humorous cartoon illustrations really pop.