Unique Monique

by Maria Rousakis, Μαρία Ρουσάκη, Polina Papanikolaou (Illustrator)

Monique hates her school uniform. Brown and blue? Who wants to wear brown and blue? Monique wants to be different. One day she finds a trunk filled with her mother's old clothes, and the next day , and the day after that, and the day after that Monique transforms her boring old brown and blue, (and herself), until she finally learns that no matter what you wear, individuality always shines.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, School, Self Esteem, Fiction

28 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Η Μαρία Ρουσάκη γεννήθηκε στη Νέα Υόρκη το 1974 όμως κατάγεται από την Αλαγονία, Καλαμάτας. Το πρώτο της βιβλίο, «Η Μέλπω η Μοναδική» βραβεύτηκε το 2002 από τον Κύκλο του Ελληνικού Παιδικού Βιβλίου. Το ίδιο βιβλίο έχει μεταφραστεί στις Η.Π.Α., στην Κορέα και στην Ταϊβάν. Στην Αμερική έχει σημειώσει μεγάλη επιτυχία με τον τίτλο, «Unique Monique» και τιμήθηκε το 2003 με το βραβείο “Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Book Award”. Επίσης, παρουσιάστηκε το βιβλίο στην φημισμένη σειρά της αμερικάνικης καλωδιακής τηλεόρασης, «The Reading Rainbow». Τα βιβλία της «Οι Λεμονιές» και το «Κολυμπώντας στα Βαθιά» ήταν υποψήφια για το Κρατικό Βραβείο Παιδικής Λογοτεχνίας (το 2004 και το 2006). Τα παιδικά της μυθιστορήματα «Μια φλόγα στο σκοτάδι – η συγκλονιστική ιστορία της Έλεν Κέλερ», «Ο θησαυρός του Ταϋγέτου», το «Άκου το ρυθμό» και το «Αίνιγμα στο Αιγαίο» ήταν στις βραχείες λίστες των λογοτεχνικών βραβείων «Ο Αναγνώστης» το 2013, 2014, 2015 και το 2016. Η Μαρία Ρουσάκη ήταν περιφερειακή σύμβουλος (Regional Advisor) της SCBWI Greece, του ελληνικού τμήματος της Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, από το 2010-2014, όπου συμμετείχε σε διεθνής συνέδρια εκπροσωπεύοντας την Ελλάδα. Έχει γράψει πάνω από 45 βιβλία παιδικής λογοτεχνίας και δύο μυθιστορήματα ενηλίκων. Το 2017 ήταν υποψήφια για το βραβείο «Συγγραφέας της Χρονιάς» από το περιοδικό Votre Beaute.

Reviews

[Vera · Rating 5 out of 5]

΄Ενα από τα καλύτερα παιδικά βιβλία που κυκλοφορούν με υπέροχη εικονογράφηση και μηνύματα για τους μικρούς αναγνώστες!Η συγγραφέας πετυχαίνει να περάσει με έμμεσο τρόπο το μήνυμα της διαφορετικότητας με διακριτικότητα.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was originally published in Greece, which is why everyone's name in the story is Greek except for Monique, which is a French name. According to the verso, the original name for the main character was Melpo, but when Polina Papanikolaou translated it, she changed the name to Monique, I guess so that it would rhyme with unique. I believe, though, that Monika is an accepted Greek name.

Anyway, this story reminded me for all the world of Robert Munsch's Stephanie's Ponytail, which also deals with someone trying to be different but every change she makes is copied by her classmates. This is what happens to Monique--until she finds a way all her own to look different, one that the other kids can't readily copy. I thought the story was cute with a clever ending, and I'm sure kids would love it, especially in combination with the above-mentioned Robert Munsch book.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally published in Greek as Η Μέλπω η μοναδική ("Melpo the Unique"), this charming picture-book follows the story of Monique, a young girl who longs to be different - to stand out from the crowd. Rummaging through a trunk in the attic one day, she comes across some of her mother's old things, and decides to enliven her school uniform. But each innovation - a puffy red "mushroom" hat, sparkly glasses, a decorative barrette - is first copied by her schoolmates, and then banned by the principal. Will Monique ever find a way to be truly unique...?

Although not exactly unique (ironic, I know!), the story here will have plenty of appeal for young readers. After all, most of us have wanted to know, or to be reassured that we are special and unique, at one point or another. The illustrations by Polina Papanikolaou are fun, and although I wouldn't say that they were particularly outstanding, they do build upon the humor of the tale. All in all, a solidly engaging picture-book debut for the Greek author/artist duo - more than enough to convince me, should more of their work be made available in English, to track it down.

[Rebeca Sanchez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monique is a young girl who wants to make herself different than the rest of her classmates. When it comes to her uniform, so she's tired of looking like everyone else. Monique finds an old trunk from her grandmother, and she starts to wear stuff that she finds to school. As she keeps wearing things, she would start to build a trend for the rest of the school. Her classmates follow her pathway, but then one day she decides to stop. Her stopping from wearing another "new-old" thing and reveals a surprise when presenting her homework. When it comes to writing, the author Maria Rousakis shows that the theme is that everyone is the same. Her writing is short and sweet to the point, but it needs more content when it is seen that everyone else is trying to be the same. I know that this may be a cute story for kids, but it has a message that some may mistake when it comes to following trends. The illustrations bring a lot of spunky and colorful scenes on each page, so it's impossible to take the eyes of the story itself. Some pages have double-spread pages so much attention is focused on Monique and how her classmates see her. This book can lead to a fun discussion of the character Monique to others being unique in their own ways. This would be more effective for younger kids since some find the "oddies" of life to tease about. As much as we know it, this can give kids a chance that being unique is nothing bad for any of us to tease.

[Abby Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book because my mom’s name is Monique, so I thought it would be a good pick. I picked the right one I guess because I loved it!! The book was about a young girl who was starting school and she couldn't stand her boring uniform. So, she went into her mom’s chest upstairs and picked out a crazy red hat and went to school and everyone noticed her just as she wanted. The school wasn't too happy about it though, so they made her take her hat off. She went home and then found red glasses out of the chest. She wore them to school and the school made her take them off. So, she went home looked for more stuff to wear and the school always told her take everything off that wasn't school uniform. So, finally she came to school with braces! There was no way they could tell her that she couldn't have her braces on, so she got what she wanted. She always wanted to be different and that she was because no one had braces in school. I loved the message behind the book. It's not about not listening to the school because she did listen to them when they told her take her stuff off. It was more of being persistent and unique. She just wanted to be different than everyone else; I love that because in today’s society everyone wants to be the same no one has originality. It's all about what the next person is doing.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monique tried to make herself different from all the rest of the kids in their uniforms, however, the school wouldn't let her keep anything she tried; until that is, she got the brightest and most colorful set of braces.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book to give a child that may be struggling with braces. It's also a good book to read aloud when talking about being different and marching to the beat of your own drum.

[Caitlin W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some schools think that having students wear the same clothes levels the playing field and makes students concentrate on their schoolwork instead of worrying about fashion. But what if you hate the uniform? Monique's school uniform is blue and brown and she hates it! She wants to wear something different so she can stand out and be unique. Rummaging through a trunk full of her mother's old clothes in the attic one day, she finds the perfect accessory-- a big red hat. She wears it to school the next day, and is the center of attention. Her teacher gets upset and tells her to take off the hat in class, but she can still wear it in the halls and on the bus home, so Monique holds her head up high and proudly displays the hat to her fellow students when she can. The next day, all of the students are wearing all different kinds of hats. The day after that, hats are banned by the principal. Monique doesn't mind. She found some colorful glasses in the chest, and proudly wears those. The following day, all the kids are sporting glasses. The day after that, glasses are banned, except for those children that need them. The same pattern is followed for all sorts of accessories: colorful socks, headbands, big bags, painted nails, and many more. Finally, Monique comes in one day with her hair perfectly neat, her uniform ordinary, and nothing exceptional about her. Her teacher is thrilled, and calls her up to the front of the class to show everyone what a model student she is. Monique smiles and tells the class about her homework-- showing off the brightest and most colorful braces anyone had ever seen. She had finally found a way to be unique that the principal couldn't ban. The artwork is a skillful mix of media, with watercolor and what appears to be crayon adding texture and interest. The characters are rather simply drawn, with big, circle eyes and simple line noses and mouths. Recommended for K-2.

[Noor Mahmood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an amazing book that embraces wanting to be different. Monique's school required her to wear a uniform, and she did not like that at all, Monique finds a chest of her mom's old accessories and begins to wear them to school. She wore a different accessory every day and then the next day all of the students followed her by also wearing the same accessory. Each day the teacher began to ban the accessories from her classroom. So Monique had nothing else to make her stand out until she got braces. I loved this book because the message I got from the book was that being different and being yourself is cool and it is amazing to want to embrace being different or even making an effort to stand out.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is definitely not my favorite. The pictures were nice, and it was fun to read. I like that Monique is so tenacious in her quest for uniqueness (on the outside...) but I feel like the school is being a bit ridiculous - banning hair styles and socks?? Maybe some schools do that, but it just seems so extreme, I was annoyed. Can't we all agree that kids can wear whatever hats they want - just take them off in the building?? Also, I do wish Monique began her quest for uniqueness in her looks - but found out that her uniqueness really comes from who she is within...but that didn't happen, she just got braces, instead.

[Phuong Dao · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a little girl name Monique who is always trying to be different from everybody else. She love to dress different when she comes to school because she thinks that she is unique. She is unique in a way because she has her own style. This book is good to teach children to be unique in their own way and not trying to be like anybody else but themselves.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being an individual in very important and this book is very cute. How to stand out. I saw the Greek writing on one of the pictures and I wondered if it was Cyrillic of Greek Alphabet. After reading the comment, I found out this book was original published in Greek! Anyways, this is a fun story about being your own person!

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I "read" this book via a Reading Rainbow episode I stumbled across online while planning a lesson. I didn't really have time to watch the whole thing, but whenever I was about to exit the page, I just couldn't. I wanted to know what Monique would do next. So, well done Rousakis, for holding my attention so firmly!

[Armanda Campbell]

This is a great book to read on the first day of school! It capitalizes on the fact that all students are unique and great in their own ways. Teaching this on the first day will also enhance classroom community

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book illustrating the concepts of identity, conformity and individuality. I enjoyed the colored pencil drawings, and the cartoonish illustrations.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is an inner drive for all of us to be different and noticed. Monique uses visual ways to stand out. I kept thinking of a niece I have who Monique reminds me of. I think we all can relate.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

About a girl with her own sense of style. Written with a subtle Greek flavor, as evidenced by the names of the children in her class and the writing on the car. Our girls really liked this one.

[Tam · Rating 3 out of 5]

My boys (ages 4 & 8) liked waiting to see what Unique Monique would come up with next.

[Holli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is super cute!

[Sydney McClure · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is funny book about Monique who wants to be different. There are great spots in the text to ask inferring questions from students. This is for k-2nd grade

[Brandi R.]

Love this Book. My daughter is named Monique and it fits her personality perfectly. Very cute and educational on trying to be your own person in area where everyone else wants to be the same.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book about a girl who wants to be different.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comical day-to-day life of a girl trying to stand out from the crowd. Best for grades K-2. Easily engages students to discuss what makes them different.

[Ashley Enlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creative way to show students it is okay to be different. I would use this book for any grade level.

[Christie Angleton · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointingly underwhelmed by this one.