Only One You/Nadie Como Tu

by Linda Kranz, Teresa Mlawer (Translator)

There's only one you in this great big world. Make it a better place! Adri's mama and papa share with their eager son some of the wisdom they have gained through the years. Their words, simple and powerful, are meant to comfort and guide him as he goes about exploring the world. This exquisitely illustrated book explodes with color and honest insights. Kranz's uniquely painted rockfish, set against vibrant blue seas, make an unforgettable and truly special impression. Only One You will inspire parents and children of all ages as they swim through life.

No hay nadie como tú en este inmenso mundo. ¡Haz de él un lugar mejor! Los padres de Adri quieren compartir con su joven hijo la experiencia que han adquirido a través de los años. Sus palabras, sencillas pero impactantes, pretenden orientarlo y proporcionarle la seguridad que necesita para descubrir el mundo. Los originales pececitos de roca pintados por Kranz, y su clara percepción, servirán de guía a padres e hijos de todas las edades para navegar por la vida.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Inspirational, Fiction, Storytime, Animals, Art

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2006

About the author

Linda Kranz, winner of the IRA Children’s Choices Award, is the author of eight journals and a craft book, as well as the bestselling Only One You and You Be You. A self-taught artist who painted on canvas until the day she found a smooth river rock, Linda lives with her husband in Flagstaff, Arizona. Together they enjoy discovering new landscapes in and around the Southwest and returning to their longtime favorite places, again and again. For a complete list of her titles, visit her website at www.lindakranz.com.

Reviews

[Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5.. I will probably start adding baby books to my READ books but I will not count them. Just so I know what I like or not.
And I gotta say this book was beautifully written and artwork was bright and colorful. It just emphasizes to kids that they are special and loved and there can only be one of them. The message is just super uplifting. When you open the hardback it has beautiful sayings one can quote to your kiddoes. Enjoy!

[Jeff Botch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda Kranz’s book, “Only One You,” is a beautiful story about the lessons parents share with their kids.

Adri is a young fish that is ready to begin his own life and his parents want him to take with him the wisdom they have learned.

My favorite part is when Adri’s mother says, “We hope you will remember” and the young fish circles back to let them know that he will not forget.

The life lessons that kids will learn from reading Kranz’s book include the importance of individuality, how you can change paths after making a mistake and the respect that parents deserve.

Linda Kranz is both author and illustrator of this wonderful picture book and easily grabs the attention of the reader by painting the importance of the lessons she describes.

As a parent of two young children I am anxious to read and discuss it with my own kids and look forward to planting important seeds in their young minds.

I highly recommend “Only One You.”

[Katie Lalor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very original artwork. Beautiful messages that go along with the bright colored pictures. This book makes for a great gift!

[Amy-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story shows that every individual is unique. That they have the power to find what they love to do and to do it. There is wisdom shared down from the parents to the young. It explains that people are born with gifts that they can bring to the surface and use for good and for things they enjoy doing. This book allows students and people to figure out what their strengths are and how they can use them for creating things or doing things. This is a great book to read to students during the first few weeks of school. It could be accompanied by the book Ish.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful, sweet little book. It's not one of Sam's favorites (yet), but I just love it. I want to buy a whole bunch and give them out as one of my standard new baby or toddler birthday gifts (so don't be surprised!).

[Turrean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lovely artwork; story a collection of aspirational cliches.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an effective book in showing children how important it is to be themselves in this huge world. It shows how Adri’s parents are proud of him and want him to find his way in the world without following the crowds. At the beginning it also expresses the importance of making friends which teachers or parents can relay back to children from a young age.

[Savannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some great life lessons. I loved reading this to my son. I hope one day he can reflect back on this book and enjoy it as much as I have.

Always be on the lookout for a new friend.
Look for the beauty wherever you are, and keep the memory of it with you.
Blend in when you need to. Stand out when you have the chance.
Find your own way. You don't have to follow the crowd.
Know when to speak; know when to listen.
No matter how you look at it, there is so much to discover.
If you make a wrong turn, circle back.
If something gets in your way, move around it.
Set aside some quiet time to relax and reflect. Every day.
Appreciate are. It's all around you!
Make wishes on the stars in the nighttime sky.


My favorite part, the ending!
Mama kissed Adri on the top of his head. "There's only one you in this great big world, MAKE IT A BETTER PLACE."

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful tale of advice from parents to children, kind of an oceanic version of Oh, the Places You'll Go! I discovered this book at an airport bookstore and read both this story and the companion tale, You Be You.

The narrative is short and entertaining and appropriate for all ages. But the highlight of the tale are the gorgeous illustrations. They are so vividly colorful. I really liked this story.

interesting quote:

"Look for beauty wherever you are, and keep the memory of it with you." (p. 5)

[CanadianReader · Rating 1 out of 5]

While the art work in this book is somewhat interesting (rather egg-shaped fish that resemble Ukrainian pysanky swim against a photographic backdrop of an ocean sandbar), the cloying cliches are hardly the thing most children need. There is no story here, just bland musings: "Blend in when you need to. Stand out when you have the chance";"there's only one you in this great big world." It strikes me as exactly the sort of book that would appeal to elementary school administrators, and I don't mean that as a compliment.
Not recommended.

[Holly Winter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the perfect book to use in a PSHE lesson with any age group. When looking at “how to be you”, this book is really good at telling children that they can do things their own way and not having to follow the crowd and not having to do what others do. It tells children indirectly that it’s okay to be different and not to be a ‘sheep’ and follow what everyone else is doing. If I am doing a PSHE lesson on a topic related to this, this is the book I will use.

[Debbie Messick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book designed for children but one which I found spoke to me (age 59!) directly! I'm very grateful that we have this book in our library's childrens' section and highly recommend it! The concept, the illustrations, the entire book is a work of love.

[Emma Zvonar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very engaging way to represent individuality and differences. This book teaches acceptance and how we can all be friends despite obvious physical differences. This book also shows us how to appreciate the small, beautiful things in life.

[BookWyrm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very cute children's book. The illustrations were simple and colorful and the messages are wonderful and very good for children to learn. Very sweet and great for parents to impart important lessons to their children.

[Gloria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cutting out the frame narrative would have made this a more effective book.

[Piyali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adri's parents give him advice on how to live his life before he swims away to live his life on his own. Beautiful illustration, beautiful message.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The inspirational advice in this book is pretty basic, but the art is so unique that it enhances it. It is sweet and colorful and artistic.

[Shauna Ludlow Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This board book uses brightly painted rocks to share words of wisdom and suggests ways to notice nature, blessings, and others.

[RaeLeigh Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a sweet short little reminder of how much we need to be nice people in this big world. there is only one of us so we need to make it a better place

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book written by a mother and father as a "life's lessons love-note" to their son. For me, this book falls in the category of words of wisdom to live by and "feel-good-about-yourself-as-you-navigate- this-big-world." This book would make a great baby shower and graduation gift. The drawings of oval fish are bright and cheery and depict what the authors are imparting to their reader(s). Not a great read for me, but it could be a great read for you.

[Maki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice little book to remind kids to love themselves and the world around them. Dream big!

[Jordan Peluso · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. N/A
2. Pre K-2nd grade
3. This book follows the story of young Adri who is ready to go off and start a new life of his own. Before doing this though his Mama and Papa impart some wisdom on their kin to make sure he is well equipped. This knowledge included the lesson that you are important, special, and unique; which are qualities that they hope he carries with him as he starts his new journey.
4. I love this story for all of the life lessons hidden inside a cute story about a family of fish. It teaches early learners the importance of individuality and the gifts that we are each born with.
5. As a teacher you could do a multitude of lessons and activities with this book such as an activity on "how to be you". Children could either take a pre-taken photo of themselves or one that they have drawn and put words around it that represent ways that they are individuals, including hobbies, interests, unique facts and qualities that they love most about themselves. They could also do a similar activity but promoting kindness as well as they could go around the room and write a nice quality about their classmates.

[Hannah Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

i. This is a story about a fish named Adri who's about to go into the world. His parents know it's time for their son to go out and experience the world, so they share all of their wisdom with him before he goes out on his own. They share a variety of important sayings with him and prepare to send him off. After they are finished, Adri thanks his mama and papa, hugs them goodbye, and assures them he'll remember all of their important lessons.
ii. There are many themes of this story because it is a book that is quite literally full of themes, but the main theme is that there is only one, unique you in this great big world and you need to embrace that.
iii. I loved this book and I thought it delivered such important messages all throughout. It was even applicable to me as I needed to be reminded of some of the messages.
iv. I think this book is very important for children and anyone getting ready to take a big step in their life to read. It teaches such important life lessons and wisdom that everyone needs to be reminded of. Anyone at any age can read this and get something out of it.

[Julian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adri es un pequeño pez, a punto de integrarse al mundo exterior, y sus padres comparten con él pequeñas lecciones para funcionar con otros: desde integrarse cuando es necesario, aprender cuando hablar y cuando escuchar, corregir tus errores, apreciar el arte, etc.

Los dibujos son lindos, con colores y diseños similares a las artesanías mexicanas. Los mensajes positivos no están sólo en el contexto del libro, sino también como frases aisladas en las contratapas. Tanto niños como adultos haríamos bien en incorporar algunas de ellas en nuestra vida diaria.

Mi hija lo recibió como regalo de su guardería por haber terminado esa etapa de su vida, ahora que los deja para lanzarse al jardin de niños. Perfecta elección.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appropriate Grade Level: kindergarten-4th

Summary: This book emphasizes that each person is an individual and there is only one you! A young boy's parents share wisdom that they have gained over the years. They support and guide him as he wants to go an adventure around the world.

Review: This is a kind, heart-warming book for all readers. It highlights how wise parents are and how their advice is more often than not, the right advice. It is an inspiring book for young people as they go on to travel and live their lives.

In Class Use: read aloud, discuss individual traits, all about me

[Savannah Webster · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable advice book for kids by Linda Kranz called Only One You. The illustration is little fish painted stones with photographed ocean backgrounds. A mom and dad fish share some simple words of wisdom with their child before he embarks into the big ocean world. Here are some of my favorite insights in the book ...

❤Look for beauty wherever you are, and keep the memory of it with you.

❤Know when to speak; know when to listen.

❤No matter how you look at it, there is so much to discover.

❤There's only one you in this great big world. Make it a better place.
Even the end-pages have fun quotes 😊

[Mya Zuckrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. This book is appropriate for 1st-4th grade.
2. This book is about a fish named Adri. Her parents are trying to teach her things that she can take from the world before they let her on her own. Her parents shared some wisdom throughout the entire book.
3. I think this is a great book and should be read for motivation and life lessons. This is a book everyone can take something from. The illustration and colors are amazing.
4. An in-class use could be students working on a worksheet and writing in the box ways to make the world a better place and they can either make a fish or color a fish on the worksheet.

[Olivia Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reminded me of "oh, the places you'll go" by dr Seuss. It's a book you give to someone going away for college or going on an (very) extended trip. It's more for older kids. Younger kids wouldn't understand the"cherish life" lesson it's trying to teach. The illustrations were good although the random plain rocks with words took away from it. The story was sweet however I didn't think it flowed very well. It was an okay book.

[Alexis Tesch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only One You has a theme throughout the book, that can be seen in the title, to be authentic and to be yourself. It focuses on a fish and a conversation it has with its mother and papa about standing out when you are able to. I gave this book four starts because it has a good message that can be portrayed to younger children/students because of the language and illustrations used in the book.

Genre: Picture Book
Age: K-2nd

[Nyckalas Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for young readers. This book does a great job of explaining that there is only one me in this world, and we should do our best to embrace that and make the world a better place with what we have been given. We should be ourselves and be happy with it because we are the only one in the world. The book is great for young readers because it is very simple and the word choice and language is very understandable for each reading level.