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One
Blue is a quiet color. Red’s a hothead who likes to pick on Blue. Yellow, Orange, Green, and Purple don’t like what they see, but what can they do? When no one speaks up, things get out of hand—until One comes along and shows all the colors how to stand up, stand together, and count. As budding young readers learn about numbers, counting, and primary and secondary colors, they also learn about accepting each other's differences and how it sometimes just takes one voice to make everyone count.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2008
23 people are currently reading
2445 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Otoshi
18 books84 followersKathryn Otoshi is an acclaimed author, illustrator and speaker best known for her character-building books, Zero, One, and Two. She travels across the country inspiring students through reading, art and the power of literature. Her books, Beautiful Hands and Draw the Line, make important statements about connecting and building community.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 640 reviews
October 3, 2020
This book has reasonated with me from the first time I heard a friend of mine read it to a group of children. From that moment on, I knew that I had to have my own copy and share this story with others.
I truly applaud the language and illustrations Kathryn Otoshi uses to tell a tale about taking a stand against bullying. One is a wonderful journey as the story moves from colors to numbers to how we should treat each other. It is an extremely powerful moment when your young reader realizes that One is more than a book about colors and numbers.
"Sometimes it just takes One."
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I truly applaud the language and illustrations Kathryn Otoshi uses to tell a tale about taking a stand against bullying. One is a wonderful journey as the story moves from colors to numbers to how we should treat each other. It is an extremely powerful moment when your young reader realizes that One is more than a book about colors and numbers.
"Sometimes it just takes One."
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
April 27, 2021
Interesting blend of learning colors and standing up to bullies. It is especially fun to read aloud for primary grade students.
I gotta admit, I loved the author’s book, Zero,
more.
I gotta admit, I loved the author’s book, Zero,
more.
April 29, 2015
"Red is a great color," he'd say.
"Red is hot. Blue is not."
Then Blue would feel bad about being blue.
Blue is a chill guy. He feels bad when Red picks on him. The other colors like Blue - but even when they see Red bullying him they never step in. This somehow makes Red grow very big and he starts picking on all the colors.
Then, one day, a stranger comes to town...
...
I felt like this book dealt with bullying in a VERY realistic way - for preschoolers and maybe young Kindergarteners. Anyone older than 5 is going to have very different and probably more serious bullying problems that can't be solved so easily. And usually there's no one to stand up for you like One stands up for Blue in this book.
Good message.
Good illustrations.
"Red is hot. Blue is not."
Then Blue would feel bad about being blue.
Blue is a chill guy. He feels bad when Red picks on him. The other colors like Blue - but even when they see Red bullying him they never step in. This somehow makes Red grow very big and he starts picking on all the colors.
Then, one day, a stranger comes to town...
...
I felt like this book dealt with bullying in a VERY realistic way - for preschoolers and maybe young Kindergarteners. Anyone older than 5 is going to have very different and probably more serious bullying problems that can't be solved so easily. And usually there's no one to stand up for you like One stands up for Blue in this book.
Good message.
Good illustrations.
January 19, 2011
I recently read Zero and realized that this book by the same author had been published first.
Off the art shelf it just went. A bit disappointing because I thought there would be some color mixing education: blue + yellow = green, etc. and there wasn’t any of that. The way this tale goes, the colors are stereotypical: red = hot, angry and blue = cool, yellow = sunny, etc. but I didn’t have a significant problem with that. In fact, it was kind of fun. The only colors covered a red, blue, yellow, green orange, purple. They end up making up numbers 2 through 7. The number 1 is 1.
But, this is another wonderful counting book, although the numbers go from only 1 to 7. Each color becomes a number.
But, there is a story, of red who bullies blue and the other colors too, and how it takes a number, One, to get the bullying to stop and to help all the colors get along together and to count. The overt messages of “everyone counts” and “sometimes it just takes one” to stop bullying actually make this book a lot of fun. I found myself smiling at almost every page.
So, this can be used as a very beginning counting book, as a discussion starter about bullying or about getting along and collaborating with one another, and definitely about standing up for oneself and others, and though it works as an art book only for children still learning their colors, the colors are fun.
The art is made up of colored numbers and circles and similar shapes, but it’s fun and colorful and attractive. My favorite page was a 2 page spread on blue’s activities, as they were very peaceful to view and contemplate.
This earlier book is even more basic (re counting) than Zero but the books can be read in either order.
Off the art shelf it just went. A bit disappointing because I thought there would be some color mixing education: blue + yellow = green, etc. and there wasn’t any of that. The way this tale goes, the colors are stereotypical: red = hot, angry and blue = cool, yellow = sunny, etc. but I didn’t have a significant problem with that. In fact, it was kind of fun. The only colors covered a red, blue, yellow, green orange, purple. They end up making up numbers 2 through 7. The number 1 is 1.
But, this is another wonderful counting book, although the numbers go from only 1 to 7. Each color becomes a number.
But, there is a story, of red who bullies blue and the other colors too, and how it takes a number, One, to get the bullying to stop and to help all the colors get along together and to count. The overt messages of “everyone counts” and “sometimes it just takes one” to stop bullying actually make this book a lot of fun. I found myself smiling at almost every page.
So, this can be used as a very beginning counting book, as a discussion starter about bullying or about getting along and collaborating with one another, and definitely about standing up for oneself and others, and though it works as an art book only for children still learning their colors, the colors are fun.
The art is made up of colored numbers and circles and similar shapes, but it’s fun and colorful and attractive. My favorite page was a 2 page spread on blue’s activities, as they were very peaceful to view and contemplate.
This earlier book is even more basic (re counting) than Zero but the books can be read in either order.
June 27, 2012
LOVE the anti-bullying message in this one. Could be integrated into my "dot" storytime theme.
April 6, 2015
Colors (a mean one, red, tormenting the others), numbers, bullying and standing up for yourself and others. I felt it was too much for such a little book. Didn't like it.
August 10, 2010
A very nicely done book in colors and numbers that highlights bullying in an easy to read format for preschool to grade 2. The story begins with an ink blot in “Blue” that is being put down by another in “Red.” At the same time, other colors are watching but are too afraid to stand up to “Red.” It isn’t until number “1” comes along and tells “Blue” to be strong that all the colors begin to change to numbers and are “counted.” Otoshi does a very good job of identifying those characteristics that make “Red” the bully, and brings to light the importance of standing up for your self and for others that are being bullied. I loved that despite “Red’s” actions “Blue” still reached out to try to be friends. I learned that “sometimes it just takes one.”
August 12, 2009
I liked this book, but I'm not sure it would appeal to children. It's got a good message and is has a good theme about uniqueness in individuals as well as about standing up to bullies. I read this one on my own, so I'm not sure if our girls would like it.
April 11, 2011
The part I liked best was the colours changing into numbers.
One is a nice number. The colours are nice to one and it's a very good book too. The numbers change as long as they say me two and me three. In the book it happens, purple became four and orange became five.
One is a nice number. The colours are nice to one and it's a very good book too. The numbers change as long as they say me two and me three. In the book it happens, purple became four and orange became five.
September 30, 2013
Love that this teaches counting while addressing bullying in a positive way.
February 9, 2010
Otoshi, Kathryn. One. Illus. by author. Unpaged. KO Kids Books. 2008. $16.95. ISBN 978-09723946-4-2.
PreS-Gr. 2- In this cleverly done book, Otoshi effectively utilizes colors and numbers to portray bullying and its effects. The color ‘Blue’ is constantly put down by ‘Red’, and while the colors ‘Yellow’, ‘Green’, ‘Purple’, and ‘Orange’ do not agree with ‘Red’, they are afraid to stand up to him. Along comes the bold, funny, number ‘1’ who tells the colors it is okay to stand up and say NO when they are bullied. As all the colors turn into strong numbers and stand up to ‘Red’, they let ‘Red’ know that he can count too, by not being a bully but by being a friend. Just like Otoshi’s simple conclusion to her tale, we realize “Sometimes it just takes one”. Otoshi tells this important lesson beautifully through basic watercolor illustrations and simple yet powerful text. The illustrations are a clear-cut highlight to the straightforward vocabulary, and complement the words properly, without being overpowering. While recommended for younger children, this is a book that everyone could learn from. Otoshi really strives to show, in very basic terms, how much better the world can be without bullying in it. It is absolutely apparent how much the author believes in what she is writing, and it is a moral that resonates with the reader long after the last page. One would be a fantastic book to have students act out in the classroom, as well as to use in workshops and assemblies about bullying. This book will likely lead to more meaningful conversations about bullying and is an important book for schools and libraries to have in their collection.
PreS-Gr. 2- In this cleverly done book, Otoshi effectively utilizes colors and numbers to portray bullying and its effects. The color ‘Blue’ is constantly put down by ‘Red’, and while the colors ‘Yellow’, ‘Green’, ‘Purple’, and ‘Orange’ do not agree with ‘Red’, they are afraid to stand up to him. Along comes the bold, funny, number ‘1’ who tells the colors it is okay to stand up and say NO when they are bullied. As all the colors turn into strong numbers and stand up to ‘Red’, they let ‘Red’ know that he can count too, by not being a bully but by being a friend. Just like Otoshi’s simple conclusion to her tale, we realize “Sometimes it just takes one”. Otoshi tells this important lesson beautifully through basic watercolor illustrations and simple yet powerful text. The illustrations are a clear-cut highlight to the straightforward vocabulary, and complement the words properly, without being overpowering. While recommended for younger children, this is a book that everyone could learn from. Otoshi really strives to show, in very basic terms, how much better the world can be without bullying in it. It is absolutely apparent how much the author believes in what she is writing, and it is a moral that resonates with the reader long after the last page. One would be a fantastic book to have students act out in the classroom, as well as to use in workshops and assemblies about bullying. This book will likely lead to more meaningful conversations about bullying and is an important book for schools and libraries to have in their collection.
February 13, 2009
Deceptively simple, One actually covers colors, numbers, bullying, and self-esteem. Otoshi's text is well-crafted for reading aloud and kids will love the way Red's favorite bullying phrase rolls off the tongue, "Red is hot. Blue is not." Without a face in sight, Otoshi still manages to make her watercolor blob characters expressive and endearing. As with most bullying stories, the ending is problematic - is it realistic that Red stops bullying the others and becomes part of their group? I don't think Red rolling away on his own would have made a better ending, but Otoshi's ending does seem a little simplistic. As a simple story rather than a lesson, the ending works fine for me and Otoshi's final line that "Sometimes it just takes One," does indicate that the proposed solution doesn't always work. The large amounts of white space, simple text, and visual support from the illustrations would make this a good choice for beginning readers as well. I thought this was really excellent and I look forward to trying it out in storytime.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2019
4 Todos contamos STARS
Pop Sugar reading Challenge 2016 A National Book Award Winner
Pareciera que estoy haciendo trampa, por utilizar libros infantiles como parte de mis retos literarios. Y quizá si es trampa, pero igual no me importa (especialmente teniendo en cuenta las docenas de veces que releeré estos libros para mi hija).
Este libro es hermoso, trata un terma fuerte como lo es el bulling pero con términos lo suficientes simples como para que los entiendan niños pequeños.
Los protagonistas son colores representando sentimientos y actitudes, y después evolucionan en números gracias al valor y valentía.
No me gusto el final, pero entiendo que es el mensaje necesario para los niños.
Pop Sugar reading Challenge 2016 A National Book Award Winner
Pareciera que estoy haciendo trampa, por utilizar libros infantiles como parte de mis retos literarios. Y quizá si es trampa, pero igual no me importa (especialmente teniendo en cuenta las docenas de veces que releeré estos libros para mi hija).
Este libro es hermoso, trata un terma fuerte como lo es el bulling pero con términos lo suficientes simples como para que los entiendan niños pequeños.
Los protagonistas son colores representando sentimientos y actitudes, y después evolucionan en números gracias al valor y valentía.
No me gusto el final, pero entiendo que es el mensaje necesario para los niños.
March 4, 2013
This is an AMAZING book! It's simple illustrations help children focus and understand the story perfectly. It teaches colors; it teaches numbers; and it teaches about standing up to bullies. We checked it out from the library by happenstance and I had to go out to Barnes and Nobles and buy it a few days later. My 4 year old couldn't wait to tell her dad all about the story after reading it, my 2 year old immediately wanted to "read it herself" and flipped through the pages retelling some of the highlights. If I had the money to do it, I would buy a copy for every family I know with young children.
January 23, 2012
This is an amazing book. Somehow the simple illustrations become complex as the story progresses. I had the honor to meet Kathryn Otoshi twice (both at American Library Association conferences) and she was an amazing, humble and talented artist. This is a MUST have for libraries and personal collections. Morality and beauty under the same cover-bliss!
January 29, 2013
This is a picture book that personifies spots of color to tell a story about a bully, and the one who stood up to him, then helped him learn to let people be who they are. Sounds too good to be true, but it is told in such a simple, clever way, and it really rings true. I think it should be required reading in schools!
August 17, 2013
This is on the 2014 Monarch list.
What an excellent little story. Its power comes from being understated and simple; it's universal by those same qualities. It's about bullying and courage (as well as numbers and counting)--I think it would be a great read for kids of all ages. Books like this give me HOPE.
What an excellent little story. Its power comes from being understated and simple; it's universal by those same qualities. It's about bullying and courage (as well as numbers and counting)--I think it would be a great read for kids of all ages. Books like this give me HOPE.
January 10, 2015
My son loves this book to bits. The deliberate "standing up to bullies" lesson was a bit obvious for me, but I guess it was cute to tell in stories. Plus, they all end up quick friends in the end. Just like life.
April 18, 2009
Hmmm... well I didn't exactly want to have this book's babies. I have all these hormones coursing through me and I wasn't as touched as I think I was supposed to have been.
January 27, 2011
Fabulous book about the difference ONE can make.
April 16, 2012
Short and sweet book with a powerful lesson. I was amazed by how much message was conveyed in such simple verse and illustrations. Truly blown away by this book. Recommend for anyone.
Read
July 2, 2014Second only to The Gruffalo. Y'all. This book is amazing. The story and illustrations are super simple but the message is huge! Great for lessons with numbers, colors and bully prevention.
January 8, 2021
I remember reading this a lot when I was young
November 20, 2017
Check out more picture book reviews @ Perspective of a Writer...
Blue is a quiet color. Red’s a hothead who likes to pick on Blue. Yellow, Orange, Green, and Purple don’t like what they see, but what can they do? When no one speaks up, things get out of hand — until One comes along and shows all the colors how to stand up, stand together, and count.
I LOVED this book! My nephew picked it out from the library when we were there together... I was a little daunted by the stark cover and the color blobs but we got it for a tough day... The light in our dining room went out and so we decided this was a book we could paint with watercolors that didn't need much drawing... and it worked well! It was sooo fun to setup all the protective papers in the kitchen and remake the story simply with 4 spreads from the book!
So why did I love it? It is a story about bullying told in a way that just makes sense ON EVERY LEVEL... It brings in this idea that we WILL have to change to make a difference but then we can be counted! It doesn't give concrete ideas about HOW to handle bullying but teaches that bullying is wrong (duh) but EVEN WORSE is standing by and ALLOWING bullying to go on... Teaching that is fundamental to stopping bullying in schools and among the young. Then the lesson continues with the idea that by accepting others despite what they have done in the past helps them to change too! Beautiful!
I know other readers see this book as a preschool level and I disagree... It is simple enough for a beginning reader to understand but it is also complex enough for their older siblings. The words used are meant for an older reader as no preschooler could read it so is PERFECT for older siblings to read to younger ones.
I loved that primary and secondary colors were used to portray different personalities. Kids that are bullied do tend to be peaceful kids who can be depressed. Sunny kids will be nice to these kids but don't do anything about the bullying. The purple could be smart kids, orange the athletes and green the social ones. I think this helps kids to relate to the story better. It also gives them fundamental basics about color without talking theory!
The art was simple, almost too simple I thought reading the book despite my belief that it makes the book more widespread age wise... THEN we did the watercolors (my nephew, I and grandma) and NO the ART is amazingly COMPLEX and emotive compared to how more simple watercolor looks.
BOTTOM LINE: EVERY child ought to read this book multiple times, to stop bullying but also empower children.
______________________
You can find this review and many others on my book blog @ Perspective of a Writer. See my picture book reviews in a special feature called Boo's Picture Gallery...
Blue is a quiet color. Red’s a hothead who likes to pick on Blue. Yellow, Orange, Green, and Purple don’t like what they see, but what can they do? When no one speaks up, things get out of hand — until One comes along and shows all the colors how to stand up, stand together, and count.
I LOVED this book! My nephew picked it out from the library when we were there together... I was a little daunted by the stark cover and the color blobs but we got it for a tough day... The light in our dining room went out and so we decided this was a book we could paint with watercolors that didn't need much drawing... and it worked well! It was sooo fun to setup all the protective papers in the kitchen and remake the story simply with 4 spreads from the book!
So why did I love it? It is a story about bullying told in a way that just makes sense ON EVERY LEVEL... It brings in this idea that we WILL have to change to make a difference but then we can be counted! It doesn't give concrete ideas about HOW to handle bullying but teaches that bullying is wrong (duh) but EVEN WORSE is standing by and ALLOWING bullying to go on... Teaching that is fundamental to stopping bullying in schools and among the young. Then the lesson continues with the idea that by accepting others despite what they have done in the past helps them to change too! Beautiful!
I know other readers see this book as a preschool level and I disagree... It is simple enough for a beginning reader to understand but it is also complex enough for their older siblings. The words used are meant for an older reader as no preschooler could read it so is PERFECT for older siblings to read to younger ones.
I loved that primary and secondary colors were used to portray different personalities. Kids that are bullied do tend to be peaceful kids who can be depressed. Sunny kids will be nice to these kids but don't do anything about the bullying. The purple could be smart kids, orange the athletes and green the social ones. I think this helps kids to relate to the story better. It also gives them fundamental basics about color without talking theory!
The art was simple, almost too simple I thought reading the book despite my belief that it makes the book more widespread age wise... THEN we did the watercolors (my nephew, I and grandma) and NO the ART is amazingly COMPLEX and emotive compared to how more simple watercolor looks.
BOTTOM LINE: EVERY child ought to read this book multiple times, to stop bullying but also empower children.
______________________
You can find this review and many others on my book blog @ Perspective of a Writer. See my picture book reviews in a special feature called Boo's Picture Gallery...
July 24, 2023
Beautiful, simple childrens book about life and standing up for yourself.
January 22, 2014
"Blue was a quiet color." Thus "One" begins. All of the other colors and Blue get along very well... except for Red. Red is a hothead and likes to bully Blue. Blue is afraid of Red. The other colors try to comfort him, but none of them stand up to Red. Red just becomes more and more fearful to Blue as well as the others. Then One comes along and helps the colors to stand strong, to stand together, and to make a difference. I will leave "how" this happens unsaid for the story is just too good to give it all away.
"One" is a special book for many reasons - it helps children with bullying. Yes, there are many books about bullying these days, but this one is truly unique and would work well for younger children to deal with this growing problem. The book is also a teaching tool for learning to count and learning the primary and secondary colors.
Ms. Otoshi is also the illustrator. The drawings/watercolors are very simple, yet are perfect expressions of what is going on in the story.
Kathryn Otoshi is the founder of KO Kids Books, a children's book author and illustrator of at least five books now. By day, she works at Robert Zemeckis's award winning film company, ImageMovers Digital (Christmas Carol, Monster House). Prior to this, Otoshi worked at George Lucas's Industrial Light & Magic (Star Wars) as the Graphic Design and Multimedia Art Director, where she led a team of designers to create hundreds of promotional pieces. She has been a scholarship recipient of the Publishers Marketing Association and a guest speaker/panelist at many book venues, including the San Francisco Writers Conference, the Harbourfront Book Festival, and the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators (2010). She lives in the San Francisco Bay area.
You can find her @ http://www.kokidsbooks.com
and here for an interview: http://www.timeforkids.com/news/qa-ka...
Reading Level: 4 - 8 Years
You will love this book!!
...as did many others by the many awards this book has won:
Awards:
E. B. White Read Aloud Honor Book
Teacher's Choice Award
Young Voices Foundation Award
Moonbeam Children's Book Medalist
Mom's Choice Award
Nautilus Gold Winner
IPPY Book Award (Independent Publishers)
Hicklebee's Book of the Year
NCIBA Best Illustrated Award (NorCal Booksellers)
Reader Views Best Children's Book
Flicker Tale Award
"One" is a special book for many reasons - it helps children with bullying. Yes, there are many books about bullying these days, but this one is truly unique and would work well for younger children to deal with this growing problem. The book is also a teaching tool for learning to count and learning the primary and secondary colors.
Ms. Otoshi is also the illustrator. The drawings/watercolors are very simple, yet are perfect expressions of what is going on in the story.
Kathryn Otoshi is the founder of KO Kids Books, a children's book author and illustrator of at least five books now. By day, she works at Robert Zemeckis's award winning film company, ImageMovers Digital (Christmas Carol, Monster House). Prior to this, Otoshi worked at George Lucas's Industrial Light & Magic (Star Wars) as the Graphic Design and Multimedia Art Director, where she led a team of designers to create hundreds of promotional pieces. She has been a scholarship recipient of the Publishers Marketing Association and a guest speaker/panelist at many book venues, including the San Francisco Writers Conference, the Harbourfront Book Festival, and the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators (2010). She lives in the San Francisco Bay area.
You can find her @ http://www.kokidsbooks.com
and here for an interview: http://www.timeforkids.com/news/qa-ka...
Reading Level: 4 - 8 Years
You will love this book!!
...as did many others by the many awards this book has won:
Awards:
E. B. White Read Aloud Honor Book
Teacher's Choice Award
Young Voices Foundation Award
Moonbeam Children's Book Medalist
Mom's Choice Award
Nautilus Gold Winner
IPPY Book Award (Independent Publishers)
Hicklebee's Book of the Year
NCIBA Best Illustrated Award (NorCal Booksellers)
Reader Views Best Children's Book
Flicker Tale Award
January 22, 2015
This is a book I wanted to review for a while, but other books always got in the way.
One by Katherine Otoshi
This is an amazing picture book about bullying and it is one I read to my kids over and over. Her other book "Zero" is about loving yourself as you are and is also amazing. I received both books from a group promoting children's literacy and it is one of my most favorite stories of all times. With a simple message and beautiful illustrations this is a book that can be read and enjoyed by anyone over and over. Amazon did not put an age limit on this story for good reason. My Mom loves this story and she is...well older than preschool for sure. ;-)
Age Range: 4 and up
Grade Level: Preschool and up
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: KO Kids Books (October 1, 2008)
The story is simply told. Blue likes being Blue, except when Red is around, then he feels very very small. Orange, Green, Yellow, all like Blue, but when Red picked on Blue they don't say anything because they are afraid of being picked on as well. Then walked up the number One. He stands up straight to Red and says, all it takes is One to stand up, because Everyone Counts! Then Orange, Purple, Green, all the colors stand up "Me Two, Three.." even Blue finally stands up to Red and says I Count! Red blows up, deflates, then Blue says "Can't Red be Hot, and Blue be cool too?" Red becomes a number too and so the theme Everyone counts ends with Blue and Red, and ALL the colored numbers Counting.
This is both poignant and brilliant in its simplicity. Beautiful watercolors and simple prose tells the message: standing up to bullies takes courage, but if everyone stands together, no one stands alone. What is remarkable about this story, is that it offers a way to talk about all the factors in bullying, (why people remain silent, what a target feels, and what the bully feels) and does it in a way that is not preachy, it even offers a child appropriate way to solve the problem. I don't care if you are 5 or 95, this should be in your library.
Her other book Zero is an amazing book about being true to yourself and should also be read by everyone. It continues the theme of Everyone Counts and is a terrific story of how a "zero" can matter.
One by Katherine Otoshi
This is an amazing picture book about bullying and it is one I read to my kids over and over. Her other book "Zero" is about loving yourself as you are and is also amazing. I received both books from a group promoting children's literacy and it is one of my most favorite stories of all times. With a simple message and beautiful illustrations this is a book that can be read and enjoyed by anyone over and over. Amazon did not put an age limit on this story for good reason. My Mom loves this story and she is...well older than preschool for sure. ;-)
Age Range: 4 and up
Grade Level: Preschool and up
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: KO Kids Books (October 1, 2008)
The story is simply told. Blue likes being Blue, except when Red is around, then he feels very very small. Orange, Green, Yellow, all like Blue, but when Red picked on Blue they don't say anything because they are afraid of being picked on as well. Then walked up the number One. He stands up straight to Red and says, all it takes is One to stand up, because Everyone Counts! Then Orange, Purple, Green, all the colors stand up "Me Two, Three.." even Blue finally stands up to Red and says I Count! Red blows up, deflates, then Blue says "Can't Red be Hot, and Blue be cool too?" Red becomes a number too and so the theme Everyone counts ends with Blue and Red, and ALL the colored numbers Counting.
This is both poignant and brilliant in its simplicity. Beautiful watercolors and simple prose tells the message: standing up to bullies takes courage, but if everyone stands together, no one stands alone. What is remarkable about this story, is that it offers a way to talk about all the factors in bullying, (why people remain silent, what a target feels, and what the bully feels) and does it in a way that is not preachy, it even offers a child appropriate way to solve the problem. I don't care if you are 5 or 95, this should be in your library.
Her other book Zero is an amazing book about being true to yourself and should also be read by everyone. It continues the theme of Everyone Counts and is a terrific story of how a "zero" can matter.
March 26, 2011
I rarely review picture books. It's not that I don't love them. It's just that I'm a YA writer and there are so many YA books and only so many time to read and review them. So it has to be a particularly special picture book for me to review it. And let me tell you, this one is it. The illustrations, though simple, are quite lovely and colorful. It would draw any child's eye. But it's the story that sold me. Because although ONE is in many ways educational, teaching kids counting and colors, it also deals with the issue of bullying.
I know, right? How does an author pull those elements together? Not without serious thought, I'm sure. The basic premise is that the color red is bullying all the other colors, but blue especially. And no one will defend Blue or do anything about it. Until one day One arrives and stands up to Red. No matter what Red says, One will not back down. This is enough to encourage the colors, one by one, to stand up to Red and be counted. And in the end, Blue finally finds his voice, too, and lets himself also be counted--Blue finally sees his own worth and understands that he, too, has value. And all it took was One to stand up to the bully.
It's a pretty powerful message, I think. Mob mentality works both ways--to create bullies, but also to bring them down. In keeping silent, all the colors aided and abetted the bullying of poor Blue. But once One spoke up, and then all the rest and the rest, the mob of "worthy" colors knocked Red down to size.
Of course, it's cool that this book will also help kiddos learn to count and recognize colors, but the message behind it makes this book stand out. Bullies exist at any age; you never know what your child is facing on the playground or at preschool--your child may not even realize that he's being bullied. ONE can open up that conversation with the tiny tot. And given that bullying is a huge issue, it seems there's no age too young to discuss it. My hat's off to Ms. Otoshi. I'm impressed with this one (this ONE).
I know, right? How does an author pull those elements together? Not without serious thought, I'm sure. The basic premise is that the color red is bullying all the other colors, but blue especially. And no one will defend Blue or do anything about it. Until one day One arrives and stands up to Red. No matter what Red says, One will not back down. This is enough to encourage the colors, one by one, to stand up to Red and be counted. And in the end, Blue finally finds his voice, too, and lets himself also be counted--Blue finally sees his own worth and understands that he, too, has value. And all it took was One to stand up to the bully.
It's a pretty powerful message, I think. Mob mentality works both ways--to create bullies, but also to bring them down. In keeping silent, all the colors aided and abetted the bullying of poor Blue. But once One spoke up, and then all the rest and the rest, the mob of "worthy" colors knocked Red down to size.
Of course, it's cool that this book will also help kiddos learn to count and recognize colors, but the message behind it makes this book stand out. Bullies exist at any age; you never know what your child is facing on the playground or at preschool--your child may not even realize that he's being bullied. ONE can open up that conversation with the tiny tot. And given that bullying is a huge issue, it seems there's no age too young to discuss it. My hat's off to Ms. Otoshi. I'm impressed with this one (this ONE).
March 25, 2015
Red, is a bully that likes to boss others around and make fun of everyone. It took the number 1 to come along and finally stand up to Red, and show him that he's not being nice. I absolutely loved the meaning behind this book. With bullying being a huge problem in todays society, I would definitely read this book aloud to my future students. I think the age appropriate level would be for first graders all the way up. No one is ever too old to hear a story about bullying. I also liked that this book not only incorporated math, dealing with numbers, but it also incorporated art too, with the colors of the different numbers. This book is very good for children to learn how to count their numbers. I like how they simplified this story so that event the young readers could understand and see that Red wasn't being nice to all the other colors. I also like that this book teaches some things about the primary and secondary colors along the way also. They get exposed to some colors that they might not have seen before and you can explain to them how this color was created for an art activity. You can get the paint out and try to experiment and make the colors in this book. I think that the students would enjoy this book, and I would probably read this book in the beginning of the year to put a stop to the bullying before it ever even happens. I could show the students that I have a zero tolerance for bullying and this would be a good book to share with them. Also, how to overcome someone that is being a bully towards you, how to handle the situation.
August 4, 2013
8/2/13 ** I read this on the first day of school as the students and I began our discussion about the anti-bullying contract. The students began spontaneously chiming in with some of the rhythmic language. I hope that this becomes a benchmark text - one we return to again and again when we see people doing things that are mean.
To continue the saga that began last year when I spilled water...I met Otoshi again at ALA this summer (Chicago). I told her about nearly ruining and then salvaging One last year. She had a book that was officially "damaged," because a bug was smashed under the lamination of the front cover. She sold the book to me at a discount and then drew a picture of a circle around the bug with a speech bubble asking the reader to "Be the One." Thanks Ms. Otoshi.
8/8/12 ** I had the fortune to see Otoshi at ALA in New Orleans last summer & bought both One and Zero last year. Both use numbers and colors to convey the timeless message of standing up for oneself and others.
I had the misfortune yesterday of leaving a 32 oz. cup of water unattended on my desk at work. A stack of books tipped over and spilled the water. Unfortunately, my signed edition of One is now water-warped on the lower 2 1/2 inches. Oh well - it's still a beautifully simple story with a powerful punch. Will be using it Friday to launch my literature study of books related to bullying.
To continue the saga that began last year when I spilled water...I met Otoshi again at ALA this summer (Chicago). I told her about nearly ruining and then salvaging One last year. She had a book that was officially "damaged," because a bug was smashed under the lamination of the front cover. She sold the book to me at a discount and then drew a picture of a circle around the bug with a speech bubble asking the reader to "Be the One." Thanks Ms. Otoshi.
8/8/12 ** I had the fortune to see Otoshi at ALA in New Orleans last summer & bought both One and Zero last year. Both use numbers and colors to convey the timeless message of standing up for oneself and others.
I had the misfortune yesterday of leaving a 32 oz. cup of water unattended on my desk at work. A stack of books tipped over and spilled the water. Unfortunately, my signed edition of One is now water-warped on the lower 2 1/2 inches. Oh well - it's still a beautifully simple story with a powerful punch. Will be using it Friday to launch my literature study of books related to bullying.
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