No Two Alike

by Keith Baker

From bestselling author-illustrator Keith Baker, explore the wondrous world of winter in this charming story now available as a Classic Board Book!

No two snowflakes are alike,
almost, almost . . .
but not quite.

Follow a pair of birds on a snowflake-filled journey though a gorgeous winter landscape to explore how everything everywhere is wonderfully unique—from branches and leaves to forests and trees to friends and loved ones.

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Animals, Birds, Childrens, Nature, Fiction

36 pages, Board book

First published November 1, 2011

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Please see: Keith Baker


Keith Baker lives in Seattle. He has written and illustrated many acclaimed picture books for young children, including the New York Times bestselling LMNO Peas; 1-2-3 Peas; Little Green Peas; Hap-pea All Year; LMNO Pea-quel; My Octopus Arms; and No Two Alike.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young children will learn you can be yourself - but still part of a group - beautiful art.

[KC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute birds find there are many things in the world that are not alike.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Depending on the audience this could be a five star read. Is your preschooler ready for short text, lively pictures with extra details, and a message we all need to be reminded of sometimes? Then he'll love it. Is she older, not interested in 'baby' books, fidgety? Maybe she won't. I loved it, myself... and so did my inner preschooler.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations, pleasant rhyming text and an important message.

[Robyn Reece · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baker, K. (2011). No two alike. New York, NY. Beach Lane Books.

1. Opening: Hello Girls and Boys, It’s so nice of you to fly into the library today! I have a FUN book that I think you’ll enjoy. Do you remember our reading and discussions on snowflakes? What special trait do you remember discussing? (Wait for student responses). That’s right! Great memories! There are no two snowflakes exactly alike, every snowflake is different. Just like us, we aren’t complete the same either. I’d like you to notice all the things that are “not alike” in this book. I’ll bet by the time we get done, you’ll be able to find examples of “no two alike” and….I’ll be you can even read this book by yourself!

2. Opening Moves: Activate background knowledge, raise interest in a topic or theme, prompt listeners to notice details.

3. Since I teach K-6 library, I've included this selection for my younger students. It is easy to read so many of them will want to check it out, which is a great confident booster for them, "Wow! I can read what Ms. Johnston presented today!" It is also has a nice "pop" of color and fun pictures. The theme of “being unique/special” is beautifully related to the snowflake theme that was introduced in January. By the end of the book we'll discuss other "pairs" that are not quite alike. I'm certain the kids will have fun in creating a giant comparison chart. We’ll follow up with identifying the real bird in the story (cardinal) and searching for a few fun facts online. Later we will investigate birds and the "unique" sounds each kind makes. The library is going to be chirping for sure!

4. (January/February, 2012). Horn Book.
http://www.flr.follett.com/search?SID...

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love, love, love the pictures. The text is nice and simple and quiet, too, but the pictures are what made this book for me. Now must save it for the next time I see my niece ... and then maybe PreK in January. This is the public library copy. I need to get one for our school!

The color combo is just fun. Lots of lovely snowflakes and two small, bright red birdies. I think it's the contrast between the red and the white snow, blue sky, and green trees.


Plus the message. There are no two snowflakes that are alike. Or animals. Or kids. Everyone is special.


Which sounds cheesy to say but the book did it just right.

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looks like a story about winter, snow and a couple cute red birds. Don't be fooled. Turns out his is a simple, yet beautiful story about how we are each different and unique.

[Khari · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little poem about how no two things are exactly the same, they all have a little drop of difference to make them unique, be the snowflakes, leaves, trees, birds, or you.

It's a good message and a true one.

The poem had a good rhythm, the book had an actual build and conclusion, which was refreshing after the last couple, but I just didn't get that into it. So a solid meh for me.

Story: Narrative poem
Art: Quite pretty actually, the snowflakes are all different too.
Price: $16.99

[Drusilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful illustrations and good lesson but too simplistic.

[Brandon Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[Elisabeth Ensor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfectly sweet children’s winter book! Focusing on the similarities and differences within each of us and nature, I loved the illustrations

[Loretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for twins 💜💜

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starting with the fact that no two snowflakes are alike, though they almost are, this book merrily explores the snowy woods. Things are found in pairs, and pointed out to be different from one another. No two nests are the same, no two tracks in the snow. Branches and leaves are all different from one another. Throughout nature it’s the same. Even the two very similar little red birds who accompany the reader on the trip through the snow are shown in the end to be different from one another, “Almost, almost… but not quite.”

Read the rest of my review on my blog, Waking Brain Cells.

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 2 out of 5]

I realized just recently why I never used this book in storytime.

It's just not that great.

You want it to be. After all, the premise of how things are alike yet different. How we are all unique. These are good themes in life and to be taught via picture books. However.....it doesn't wow me.

That is also odd given that the author/illustrator does "LMNO Peas." That book is a hoot and half. If only the same could be said for this.

[*The Angry Reader*]

Two little (nearly identical) red bird soar through a winter wonderland comparing and contrasting. The illustrations are large and lovely. The birds are bright colored and acrobatic. There is not a lot of writing, but there is rhyming! The colors, illustrations and rhyming style make this a wonderful way to present information to children.

[Rosalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful book! When I read it for the first time the illustrations and simple rhyming words gave me such a sense of wonder and peace. I will be buying this book for my grandchildren and recommending this book to parents, teachers and anyone else who listen to me!

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was a cute book that inspired several craft projects with our children. I liked the bright and colorful illustrations and the simple text on each page.

Both our children (aged 3 & 5) enjoyed this book. We would check it out from the library again.

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the illustrations in this book, I think that's what really kept my attention. A cute book overall and I'm sure young children are sure to enjoy it too.

[Kelsey Ruggirello · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teaches a great lesson, no one is the same, even snowflakes are unique and different. Even though they are very similar

[Cosette]

My listener was confused by the pages separating the message... maybe that's on me - I read it wrong...

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the pictures and this book is a beautiful poem.

[Asho · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first time I read this book to my 3-year-old I didn't find it particularly striking or special, but then the more we read it the more I really liked it. The illustrations are beautiful, and so detailed. Each time we read it we discover more animals subtly hidden in the winter landscapes. Reading it tonight at bedtime my daughter sighed happily and quietly, "I just love all these animals."
The only downside is that she doesn't conceptually understand the last page, which just shows two bird feathers to illustrate that there is in fact a difference between the two red birds. Every time we get to the end she tries to tell me that the birds must have died. Yikes! (She has something of a morbid bent lately, though, and I doubt this would be an issue for most kids :-)).

[Debbie Dwyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book called No Two Alike is a fun book to read and buddy read. Find out why things are alike and not alike. The first reason to read this book is because it is cute and it shows that things are not alike. For example, they see that snowflakes are not alike. This author is a fun writer about two cardinals that wonder if some snowflakes are alike. Another reason to read this book is interesting. Branches are not alike for different reasons. For example, the branches aren't alike and the snowflakes aren't alike. The lesson everyone has personality. I wonder if No Two Alike has two things. I think the book is the best book ever written. It is a book you’ll never donate. Cache

[Katy Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very simple, there is no two things exactly alike. Things can be similar but never the same. I like this book because I can manipulate it into many different meanings. I can use it in the sense that people do not look alike, or they do not think/learn alike. I could use the book pertaining to homelife, financials, places, etc. The possibilities are endless. I would use this book to get thru an issue that arises within my class or school, but like I was saying it could be a wide variety of issues.

[Mavis’s Dad · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quaint tale of human nature, portrayed by red birds who on first look are alike, but they are not.

Moral: We are unique as humans but also very, very alike.

Length: A book with few words which was much appreciated at bedtime.

Favorite Line: “No two snowflakes are alike, almost, almost, but not quite.”

Overall impression: This was a pretty mediocre rendition of the whole “you are unique” lesson. It was also a pretty mediocre rendition of “we’re all kind of the same so be respectful” lesson as well.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author's lovely artwork is the highlight of this book which explores how things can be similar, but not exactly the same. The text rhymes nicely:

No two snowflakes are alike,
almost, almost . . .
but not quite.

This would make a fun read-aloud for the youngest of listeners.

[Dayanara Garza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like how this book is about recognizing the uniqueness of everything in the world, including leaves and animals. The illustrations are beautiful and the repetition emphazises that no two things are exactly the same. This can be used in the classroom to teach children about topics such as identities, uniqueness, and diversity. It can open up discussions about how everyone is special in their own ways, with their unique features.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soft inviting illustrations and neat to showcase snowflakes, one of my favorite unique things. The two birds look really similar and the difference on the last page surprised me. Then I had to go back and really look at the birds which was fun. A good book to show how details set us apart in a good way.

[Joan Arbogast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book about being one-of-a-kind, similar but not the same. Baker's sparse, rhyming text is perfect for preschoolers; his double-spread illustrations are great for sharing with story time groups.

[Suebee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures, but the snippet text made you rush through and not really understand anything. While reading this allowed my toddler, I wanted to just ignore the text and point out what was going on on the pages.