What do you think?
Rate this book
Buddy Booby's Birthmark
The first children's book of its kind created by a child with a facial port wine stain; based on real-life experiences. Buddy Booby's Birthmark features an inspirational foreword by Hannah Storm, award winning television journalist, author, and CBS News' The Early Show anchor. Join a colorful cast of Galapagos Island creatures as they learn some valuable life lessons about tolerance, self-acceptance, sensitivity, and perfection, from a most unlikely character--a red-footed booby bird with a birthmark! When a magical Galapagos sea hawk grants the booby bird a wish, everyone's sure he'll want his birthmark removed. But will he? Would YOU? Readers might be surprised! This creative story also teaches readers about the Galapagos Islands and its unique animal inhabitants! A portion of the proceeds from every sale of this book will go to The Vascular Birthmark Foundation. Click here to learn more about this inspirational children´s book. Here's What People Are Saying About Buddy Booby's "This book is incredible.a wonderful resource for children and parents.For children, it emphasizes the importance of gaining acceptance.For the parents, it is a great aid in explaining and demonstrating how to help their child to know their personality is their most important gift to others. A book like this one is long overdue. Every parent of a child with a birthmark should consider buying this book." -Dr. Milton Waner, Vascular and Birthmarks Institute of NY "Buddy Booby's Birthmark is the most wonderful children's story I have ever read that explains an initial response not only to a birthmark, but also to any birth defect. While this book raises awareness about vascular birthmarks, it also raises a consciousness about accepting each other for our uniqueness. This book should be in every school in the country and in every doctor's office, as well..it is a gift to every person born with a birthmark." -Linda Rozell-Shannon, President/Founder,Vascular Birthmarks Foundation
Paperback
First published August 1, 2007
13 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 19, 2013
My daughter was born with a congenital skin condition, which results in several things, the least of which is two birthmarks on her face. The first few years were, frankly, ridiculous, with both complete strangers and family and friends breaking out into spontaneous discussions of "what are you going to do about those birthmarks!"
Funny, they never even realized it was none of their business.
What is MY business is my daughter's mental, physical and emotional well-being. And, this book is a fantastic reminder that--shockingly!--most kids with birthmarks actually consider them a unique part of themselves and do not want them removed. What they just need, sometimes, is a good parent or teacher to provide duct tape for a few mouths, and the support of family and community.
This book is also a great reminder that, when meeting the new child who is not completely perfect, the correct response to the parents is never "I'm sorry."
Believe it or not, those parents are already in love with their child and have already moved past a crooked nose, a bad head of hair or a birthmark.
The response is, "CONGRATULATIONS!"
Funny, they never even realized it was none of their business.
What is MY business is my daughter's mental, physical and emotional well-being. And, this book is a fantastic reminder that--shockingly!--most kids with birthmarks actually consider them a unique part of themselves and do not want them removed. What they just need, sometimes, is a good parent or teacher to provide duct tape for a few mouths, and the support of family and community.
This book is also a great reminder that, when meeting the new child who is not completely perfect, the correct response to the parents is never "I'm sorry."
Believe it or not, those parents are already in love with their child and have already moved past a crooked nose, a bad head of hair or a birthmark.
The response is, "CONGRATULATIONS!"
January 3, 2023
If you like stories about: Galapagos Islands, birthmarks, self-acceptance, sensitivity, tolerance, a chance to talk about how to respond to something you don’t know about
This is a very personal review for me as my oldest was born very premature and her facial hemangioma appeared 10 days after birth. I find this book to be representative of my experience as the mother of one who has a birthmark. I was not prepared for the lack of tact from strangers and acquaintances. PSA don’t say “what’s wrong with (her/his/your) face?” The answer is: nothing. Over time I was shocked when someone actually knew it was a hemangioma and will forever treasure the memory of one particular compassionate inquiry compared to the usual responses.
What I really appreciated about this picture book is how it addresses birthmarks. It is very clear how the mother feels about her son and what sets him apart. Quoting from the book: “You’re perfect the way you are…Being different is not always nice. Not all creatures have the tact to say the things they should…If they can’t look beyond your difference, they’re missing out on the greatest part. Because all the love you have to offer, comes from within your heart.”
I was grateful for the presence of the sea hawk that helped the others realize how they had treated someone who was different. It was another example of trying to right a wrong which we’ve recently been working on with my 4 year old.
My daughter liked it still, she’s read it multiple times in her life and her perspective is she’s had compassionate inquiries (i.e. Did you get hurt? Is that a birthmark?”) rather than what Buddy experiences in the story. I as the mother am grateful that is her perspective and the hurtful ones didn’t imprint on her as they did on me. She sees her birthmark as part of who she is and when given the option for surgery years ago she declined. It was also interesting because the wish Buddy makes in the story is something my daughter would likely wish as well.
Even aside from the storyline involving birthmarks or being a little different than others is the animals you learn about. Many are only found on the Galapagos Islands and there is a whole page at the end that tells you about them. There are also informational pages about how the book came to be.
Content Considerations: One animal responds “what a sin” regarding the birthmark. Another suggests the help of a “magical bat” to “fix that”.
This is a very personal review for me as my oldest was born very premature and her facial hemangioma appeared 10 days after birth. I find this book to be representative of my experience as the mother of one who has a birthmark. I was not prepared for the lack of tact from strangers and acquaintances. PSA don’t say “what’s wrong with (her/his/your) face?” The answer is: nothing. Over time I was shocked when someone actually knew it was a hemangioma and will forever treasure the memory of one particular compassionate inquiry compared to the usual responses.
What I really appreciated about this picture book is how it addresses birthmarks. It is very clear how the mother feels about her son and what sets him apart. Quoting from the book: “You’re perfect the way you are…Being different is not always nice. Not all creatures have the tact to say the things they should…If they can’t look beyond your difference, they’re missing out on the greatest part. Because all the love you have to offer, comes from within your heart.”
I was grateful for the presence of the sea hawk that helped the others realize how they had treated someone who was different. It was another example of trying to right a wrong which we’ve recently been working on with my 4 year old.
My daughter liked it still, she’s read it multiple times in her life and her perspective is she’s had compassionate inquiries (i.e. Did you get hurt? Is that a birthmark?”) rather than what Buddy experiences in the story. I as the mother am grateful that is her perspective and the hurtful ones didn’t imprint on her as they did on me. She sees her birthmark as part of who she is and when given the option for surgery years ago she declined. It was also interesting because the wish Buddy makes in the story is something my daughter would likely wish as well.
Even aside from the storyline involving birthmarks or being a little different than others is the animals you learn about. Many are only found on the Galapagos Islands and there is a whole page at the end that tells you about them. There are also informational pages about how the book came to be.
Content Considerations: One animal responds “what a sin” regarding the birthmark. Another suggests the help of a “magical bat” to “fix that”.
November 13, 2013
my three year old picked this book for one of our stories tonight, and we both loved it...she even asked to read it again, so we did...I think this will be a new favorite (and she doesn't even have a birthmark, she just really enjoys the story and artwork! :)
July 15, 2012
an excellent book that shows some of the experience children with facial birthmarks can experience, as well as giving these children a book with a character like them. definitely recommend.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews