Odd One Out

by Danielle Chaperon, Iris Boudreau (Illustrations)

What happens when your best-friend bonds with the new-girl-in-school? Can two become three or will you be the odd-one-out?

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Childrens, Emotion

40 pages, Hardcover

Published October 10, 2017

Reviews

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Annabelle and I were inseparable. We were best friends and we did everything together. That is until the horrible, terrible day when the new girl arrived. Now she is Annabelle's best friend, and I'm the odd one out."

Clara used to be totally happy. She has a family that loves her, a baby brother that is too small to bug her, a house big enough for the four of them to co-exist in harmony, and an amazing insect collection all her own. She is blessed with a best friend, Annabelle, who is everything you could ask for in a BFF and more. They are like soul sisters.

Then one day a new girl arrives at the school. The teacher asks them to befriend her and Annabelle does... wholeheartedly. It's a gesture that changes Clara's world completely... but not for the better... for the worse. Oh my!!!

Annabelle and the new girl play together at recess, walk side-by-side on the sidewalk and squish together on Annabelle's bike leaving poor Clara feeling shunned and abandoned. She feels she is shrinking away and is frightened she may even become invisible as more and more she is left out in the cold by the two. She secretly tries to concoct some diabolical plans to rid herself of this pesky intrusive new girl but finally concludes those ideas will not solve the problem that is consuming her. She misses her best friend so much and wants her back in her life.

Will Clara find a solution and finally be able to resume her lost relationship with Annabelle? Is there room for maybe two best friends in her life? Is that even a possible scenario to entertain?

I love the illustrations. The emotion that Clara is feeling is perfectly depicted. Clara learns a very valuable life lesson and works through her dilemma finally realizing that if you put jealousy and insecurity aside you can come out a winner, in this case with two best friends. I loved the message and recommend this book.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

PreS- K-Little mouse Clara has a best friend whom she adores. They are “soul sisters”…“inseparable”. Then a new girl arrives, drawing Annabelle away. Like some children, Clara doesn’t even try to get along with the new girl. She wallows in her jealously, feeling sorry for herself. Eventually, her better nature does win out, and she gains a new friend. Clara recalls all this in her own words. Her perspective is initially self-centered, and, she is the type of child to blow matters out of proportion with thoughts like "the absolute worst has come to pass..." Children should be able to identify with the feelings of the character if they are experiencing a similar situation. Iris' style is heavily influenced by her work drawing bandes dessinées. The cartoonish characters with their simple faces, loose lineart, and matte colours suit the tone of the story. Next to this, the look of the text is less aesthetically pleasing; the font is rather plain, and it could have been better spaced, and sometimes placed, however, it is readable. VERDICT Odd One Out conveys the feelings of the child left behind fairly well, so it should prove useful in situations similar to the one that the character faces.

*reviewed for School Library Journal

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

It never feels good to be left out when others are playing or participating in various activities. Clara and her best friend Annabelle have always done everything together. But when a new girl joins the classroom, Annabelle is friendly to her, and Clara starts feeling left out as she realizes that it can be hard for three girls to fit on the sidewalk together or even ride bikes. Worried that she will eventually become invisible as her friendship unravels and she is replaced by the new girl, Clara hatches but abandons several plans to get rid of her rival. Determined to show Annabelle how much she loves her, Clara injures herself while climbing a tree to rescue her kite, Clara injures herself. When both girls visit her and bring gifts, she realizes that there is room for two friends in her life--Annabelle and Juliette. Judging from Juliette's choice for a gift, she and Clara just might have a lot in common. The illustrations are interesting and may merit a second look while the message here is quite important. Sometimes it's important not to let jealousy or insecurity keep us from welcoming others into our lives.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book I would recommend for parents to read to their second-grade girls who go through this every year when their best friend includes a third member in the group. This is so common in second-
grade and elementary school and dealing with the drama and how to handle the distance and alienation.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two inseparable best friends until a new girl arrives.

[Mel Schuit · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sometimes you just need to break your leg to find out who your friends really are! That was the only bright spot in the old story of how to be friends when there are 3.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a new girl comes to school can Anabelle maintain her best friend? Full of realistic feelings and struggles. one on one or preschool

[Rachel Deboer · Rating 2 out of 5]

The lesson of the book is important, but I just didn't love anything else about the book.

[Rhonda K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good picture books about making friends are essential! This one fits the bill for anyone wanting a book to read to little people, to explore in a casual way, making friends and being a friend.

[Briana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Third wheel girl is jealous when the new girl takes her BFFs attentions. Classic story, but doesn't give any real strategies other than breaking your leg. Wished for more ideas, and some residual resentment, to make this story more relatable for kids.