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We're Different, We're the Same
Who better than Elmo and his Sesame Street friends to teach us that though we may all look different on the outside—deep down, we are all very much alike?
Elmo and his Sesame Street friends help teach toddlers and the adults in their lives that everyone is the same on the inside, and it's our differences that make this wonderful world, which is home to us all, an interesting—and special—place. This enduring, colorful, and charmingly illustrated book offers an easy, enjoyable way to learn about differences—and what truly matters. We’re Different, We’re the Same is an engaging read for toddlers and adults alike that reinforces how we all have the same needs, desires, and feelings.
Elmo and his Sesame Street friends help teach toddlers and the adults in their lives that everyone is the same on the inside, and it's our differences that make this wonderful world, which is home to us all, an interesting—and special—place. This enduring, colorful, and charmingly illustrated book offers an easy, enjoyable way to learn about differences—and what truly matters. We’re Different, We’re the Same is an engaging read for toddlers and adults alike that reinforces how we all have the same needs, desires, and feelings.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published October 13, 1992
69 people are currently reading
774 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
December 10, 2019
This book helped my son in ways that I had not been able to for which I will be forever grateful.
Last year, my six-year-old son came home from kindergarten, looked up at me with tears in his big brown eyes and said, "Mama, I hate my curls."
"Why?" I had asked, puzzled. He had always been quite fond of his curls, refused to cut them, always twisting a curl around his finger absentmindedly.
"Nobody looks like me," he said. "Nobody at school looks like me. Not even my family looks like me."
My heart broke. He was right. My son, with his beautiful thick, curly, dark brown hair, amber-colored eyes, and his tan skin looked nothing like the rest of the people he knows as his family. With our dirty blonde hair, blue eyes, and porcelain skin, we look different.
We sat down and talked about how everyone looks different and about how that is what make the world such a neat place. If we all looked the same, I said, we'd all be pretty boring.
Later that night, I researched picture books online that would help young children that were feeling the way my son was and that weekend, we visited the library to check them out. We had a stack of picture books to read, all of which depicted either multiracial families, children with different color skin than one or both of their parents, and picture books about differences in people altogether.
As we went through the stack of books, reading one each night before bed, my son would listen to each story but, though I could often see the wheels turning, wouldn't say much.
We're Different, We're the Same, however, was different. It was like a train of understanding hit him. By the end of the book, he was excitedly saying with me, "WE'RE THE SAME!"
Once finished, my son excitedly kept talking to me about all of the differences he sees—how we are different and yet similar to everyone, including animals. His dog, he pointed out, had a set of ears, a pair of eyes, and a mouth, just like he did. "Our ears are so different," he giggled, "but they both do the same thing!"
My heart was overflowing with love at this point, watching how excited my son was. We read books together every single night at bedtime, checking out stacks of books from the library—I'm talking 25 books at a time—but precious few get the kind of response this book got from my son. An even rarer few get into the list of my favorite picture books but We're Different, We're the Same is at the very top of my list.
Last year, my six-year-old son came home from kindergarten, looked up at me with tears in his big brown eyes and said, "Mama, I hate my curls."
"Why?" I had asked, puzzled. He had always been quite fond of his curls, refused to cut them, always twisting a curl around his finger absentmindedly.
"Nobody looks like me," he said. "Nobody at school looks like me. Not even my family looks like me."
My heart broke. He was right. My son, with his beautiful thick, curly, dark brown hair, amber-colored eyes, and his tan skin looked nothing like the rest of the people he knows as his family. With our dirty blonde hair, blue eyes, and porcelain skin, we look different.
We sat down and talked about how everyone looks different and about how that is what make the world such a neat place. If we all looked the same, I said, we'd all be pretty boring.
Later that night, I researched picture books online that would help young children that were feeling the way my son was and that weekend, we visited the library to check them out. We had a stack of picture books to read, all of which depicted either multiracial families, children with different color skin than one or both of their parents, and picture books about differences in people altogether.
As we went through the stack of books, reading one each night before bed, my son would listen to each story but, though I could often see the wheels turning, wouldn't say much.
We're Different, We're the Same, however, was different. It was like a train of understanding hit him. By the end of the book, he was excitedly saying with me, "WE'RE THE SAME!"
Once finished, my son excitedly kept talking to me about all of the differences he sees—how we are different and yet similar to everyone, including animals. His dog, he pointed out, had a set of ears, a pair of eyes, and a mouth, just like he did. "Our ears are so different," he giggled, "but they both do the same thing!"
My heart was overflowing with love at this point, watching how excited my son was. We read books together every single night at bedtime, checking out stacks of books from the library—I'm talking 25 books at a time—but precious few get the kind of response this book got from my son. An even rarer few get into the list of my favorite picture books but We're Different, We're the Same is at the very top of my list.
June 13, 2020
This! Diversity and inclusivity in simple language and concepts.
January 10, 2024
My super cool godparents sent this to me for my first Christmas. I love the texture of the book and the message is really wholesome cuz ya know… we are all different and the same, and ya gotta just keep that in mind.
March 3, 2024
Isaac's visual interest 👀 (3 is top): untested
How good it is as a book for me to read aloud while breastfeeding 🍼 (3 is top): 🍼🍼🍼
How good it is as a book for me to read aloud while breastfeeding 🍼 (3 is top): 🍼🍼🍼
August 23, 2017
We read a LOT of children's books these days, so I want to make sure to highlight the exceptional ones -- like this! The message is important and well-executed, and our kid loves finding all the Sesame Street characters in the vibrant pictures. It kept her occupied for A PLANE RIDE, the holy grail of children's entertainment.
January 14, 2024
This is an oldie but a goodie. The message the book conveys is important for ALL and I mean all (looking at you adults) to get across. We are all different but really we are all the same. I think the illustrations can be modernized a bit, that would be my only critique. Otherwise would recommend for all ages.
July 1, 2020
The wonderful Sesame Street characters teach us that while we may be different on the outside, we have the same values deep down, and that home is special for all of us. Love the illustrations!
Reviewed by Deb Hersh, Circulation, Vernon Area Public Library
Reviewed by Deb Hersh, Circulation, Vernon Area Public Library
July 3, 2020
This is probably one of my favorite children's books. Inclusion is important and I think this covers a lot of differences while also showing we are the same. Can't wait to read it to my class and to my future kids.
August 14, 2020
Ages: 2-6
We’re Different, We’re the Same is a book that features Sesame Street characters and people to show how we are all different but have many overall likenesses. This is an important lesson when teaching diversity.
Find more children's books that support diversity and tolerance in my post https://www.teacher-librarian-forlife...
We’re Different, We’re the Same is a book that features Sesame Street characters and people to show how we are all different but have many overall likenesses. This is an important lesson when teaching diversity.
Find more children's books that support diversity and tolerance in my post https://www.teacher-librarian-forlife...
October 7, 2020
Excellent book to start teaching little ones about diversity and the beauty of living in a diverse world. Helps to celebrate individuals but also what connects us as people.
May 14, 2021
Fantastic book & art. Emphasizes that while we all look different it’s wonderful. While we all have our own unique features, everyone’s bodies function similarly.
March 5, 2024
Bought with the intent to gift to teacher friend who’s expecting… but I just may have to keep this one after reading it🥹
August 3, 2021
Great hook about differences and diversity.
Currently reading
September 15, 2021This book shows how different humans are but at the same time we are but we are the same.
Mary Osei
Mary Osei
March 8, 2019
As someone who grew up watching Sesame Street, I really appreciated this book. For starters, it included all of the Sesame street characters throughout the book, as well as a diverse group of humans. There is no main character. The book is poetic and informational. The book takes on a comparing and contrasting approach. Each trait is contradicted with what the trait does and how it has all the same functions. The conflict is how things appear differently, yet they are all the same. The rhymes and colorful, detailed images grab readers' attention. Every single group of people are represented in this book. All races, religions, ages, social classes, etc. The illustrations showcase this in detail. This book truly has been able to showcase an array of diversity through its illustrations. The linguistics of this book are written as if a child was saying them. It is easy to follow along, especially as an early reader. No negative stereotypes are shown, and no one group is more present than another. It truly is remarkable. With Sesame Street being so popular around the world, I find it amusing they included its popular characters among humans. You can make assumptions based on the illustrations of the characters, but there are a variety of assumptions that can be made about each, not including Sesame Street characters.
October 22, 2013
This multicultural Sesame Street book depicts how we are the same and how we are different. The author, Bobbi Kates, utilizes text in order to pinpoint the things that we all have in common (our noses are used to smell) as well as those things that make us different (our noses are different shapes, sizes, and colors). Our skin is not the same color but yet we are the same on the inside. We all have blood, muscles, and bones underneath out skin. The illustrator uses life like pictures. This is beneficial in that students will be able to relate to the pictures they see to people they have actually seen. Reading this book to students would be a fun way to discuss the differences and similarities of all people. It also teaches acceptance of those who are different. This book can also be used to teach rhyme. Bright colors are almost always a plus when attempting to maintain the attention of younger children.
October 2, 2020
We’re Different, We’re the Same is a book that explains to children how every human has different characteristics on the outside, but they all function the same way.
Many children growing up do not have the opportunity to meet children who are from a different race. That can many times lead to questions that can make other students feel out of place. This picture book allows children to understand the concept because the author and illustrator made sure to include most differences shown by their outside characteristics.
The way the book was written was an excellent way to emphasize how it does not matter how our outside characteristics look like because at the end of the day they all work for the same purpose. One thing that was not emphasized, and can be a delicate topic is talking about disabled people who cannot walk or see. Reading this book to a classroom that contains every type of student can put a student who is in a wheelchair down, because he or she will feel they are not the same. Apart from race being talked about in this book, a teacher can use this book for part of a rhyming lesson. I noticed in almost every page the author tried to include two rhyming words at the end of the sentence. A teacher can have students read books and find rhyming. Not only will this help them understand the concept of words that rhyme but also it can increase their reading comprehension. Having this book as a read aloud is something students might not notice when reading the words, however if the student reads it to themselves or in a group they will notice as they are reading it. Overall, this book was a great way to emphasize on a race topic if a teacher or any parent does not know of a proper way to talk about this topic.
Many children growing up do not have the opportunity to meet children who are from a different race. That can many times lead to questions that can make other students feel out of place. This picture book allows children to understand the concept because the author and illustrator made sure to include most differences shown by their outside characteristics.
The way the book was written was an excellent way to emphasize how it does not matter how our outside characteristics look like because at the end of the day they all work for the same purpose. One thing that was not emphasized, and can be a delicate topic is talking about disabled people who cannot walk or see. Reading this book to a classroom that contains every type of student can put a student who is in a wheelchair down, because he or she will feel they are not the same. Apart from race being talked about in this book, a teacher can use this book for part of a rhyming lesson. I noticed in almost every page the author tried to include two rhyming words at the end of the sentence. A teacher can have students read books and find rhyming. Not only will this help them understand the concept of words that rhyme but also it can increase their reading comprehension. Having this book as a read aloud is something students might not notice when reading the words, however if the student reads it to themselves or in a group they will notice as they are reading it. Overall, this book was a great way to emphasize on a race topic if a teacher or any parent does not know of a proper way to talk about this topic.
April 1, 2019
Review first published on my blog,
Nine Pages
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This book highlights different body parts in illustrations meant to look like a collection of instant photos. This page talks about the differences between the features in each of these photos: old noses, baby noses, round noses, big noses, small noses. The next page reveals a busy tableau of diverse characters, human and Muppet, and talks about how each of these features that appear different perform the same functions (“our noses are the same. They breathe and sniff and sneeze and whiff”). Beyond that, the book confronts ableism. Some may need to wear helmets to protect their heads. Some need to take more time to form words with their mouths. Some won’t talk much. Some won’t talk at all. Some need glasses. Some are blind. One character is in a wheelchair but playing basketball with friends. It advocates asking for a break from a teacher if it’s needed.
The 90s fashion styles in these illustrations! I had to Google their names, but I recognize the old comedy sketch duo Laurel and Hardy in the illustrations. I don’t know why the pair appear in the pages of a book from the early 90s.
This book highlights different body parts in illustrations meant to look like a collection of instant photos. This page talks about the differences between the features in each of these photos: old noses, baby noses, round noses, big noses, small noses. The next page reveals a busy tableau of diverse characters, human and Muppet, and talks about how each of these features that appear different perform the same functions (“our noses are the same. They breathe and sniff and sneeze and whiff”). Beyond that, the book confronts ableism. Some may need to wear helmets to protect their heads. Some need to take more time to form words with their mouths. Some won’t talk much. Some won’t talk at all. Some need glasses. Some are blind. One character is in a wheelchair but playing basketball with friends. It advocates asking for a break from a teacher if it’s needed.
The 90s fashion styles in these illustrations! I had to Google their names, but I recognize the old comedy sketch duo Laurel and Hardy in the illustrations. I don’t know why the pair appear in the pages of a book from the early 90s.
Read
October 12, 2020Summary: This picture book help teach children and adults about how everyone is the same on the inside but the outside is something that makes our world beautiful. It helps teach kids about the differences between people in a easy and fun way and that despite being different but that being different isn’t bad. Yes we are different but all the same.
Personal Thoughts: I really likes reading this book. I think sometimes books about race and such can be so focused on one thing sometimes but this book looks at many differences of many different people. But also that in the end we are all the same. We are all humans living here on earth who have dreams, desires, feelings and lives.
How I Will Use: You can use this book to help again teach children about differences between people but also that they aren’t as different than we think. That also these things do not make one person better than others but just makes our world great and wonderful.
Personal Thoughts: I really likes reading this book. I think sometimes books about race and such can be so focused on one thing sometimes but this book looks at many differences of many different people. But also that in the end we are all the same. We are all humans living here on earth who have dreams, desires, feelings and lives.
How I Will Use: You can use this book to help again teach children about differences between people but also that they aren’t as different than we think. That also these things do not make one person better than others but just makes our world great and wonderful.
April 9, 2021
We’re Different, We’re the Same (Sesame Street), written by Bobbi Jane Kates and illustrated by Joe Mathieu, is a beautifully illustrated children’s book that carries a wonderful message for anyone lucky enough to read it. I purchased and read this book to my two early elementary grandsons. The story is a wonderful discussion starter to broach the topics of diversity and inclusion.
While the storyline addresses everyone’s similarities, it does so in a way that celebrates the differences we each possess. For instance, everyone has a nose that works the same way, but they are all different shapes, sizes, and colors. This well thought out book is designed to keep people together, not divide them and is meant for a young audience that just may be the people who actually achieve this lofty goal.
I did enjoy sharing this story with my grandsons, having the deep conversation it invoked, and I do recommend it!
While the storyline addresses everyone’s similarities, it does so in a way that celebrates the differences we each possess. For instance, everyone has a nose that works the same way, but they are all different shapes, sizes, and colors. This well thought out book is designed to keep people together, not divide them and is meant for a young audience that just may be the people who actually achieve this lofty goal.
I did enjoy sharing this story with my grandsons, having the deep conversation it invoked, and I do recommend it!
May 10, 2021
02/10/2021
We're Different, We're the same is a picture book with the characters from the popular children’s tv show, Sesame Street. It is meant for children aged 10 and under or children from Pre-K though the third grade. Throughout the book characters are compared with their different features but reminds the readers that their features such as their hands, noses, eyes, and skin color are different, but they all serve the same purpose so they’re the same. This book is rated the way it is because the entirety of the book and its massage were enjoyable. The illustrations had that authentic vintage sesame street style of drawing that were used in older Elmo and other characters story books. I would use this book in lessons in my classroom because it's message will be great to teach my students of recognizing differences in their peers but know that although they are different we are all the same.
We're Different, We're the same is a picture book with the characters from the popular children’s tv show, Sesame Street. It is meant for children aged 10 and under or children from Pre-K though the third grade. Throughout the book characters are compared with their different features but reminds the readers that their features such as their hands, noses, eyes, and skin color are different, but they all serve the same purpose so they’re the same. This book is rated the way it is because the entirety of the book and its massage were enjoyable. The illustrations had that authentic vintage sesame street style of drawing that were used in older Elmo and other characters story books. I would use this book in lessons in my classroom because it's message will be great to teach my students of recognizing differences in their peers but know that although they are different we are all the same.
December 5, 2019
This book examines the idea of "we're all different, we're all the same" via visible body parts (eyes, noses, skin color, etc) and their function. The illustrations include Muppets and I can't quite decide how I feel about having humans depicted alongside imaginary creatures. My kid also isn't into Sesame Street so that makes this aspect of the book less appealing for our particular family.
I'm not wild about the illustrations. So many "diversity" books depict the "Asian" skin tones as really yellow and eyes as really slanty. But it's not just the Asian depictions; for instance, on the mouths page there are three separate depictions of faces with identical pinkish skin tones; in a book about diversity, why repeat that same skin tone three times on one page?
TL;DR: it's an ok book but I wouldn't use it as my only or even favorite book to reinforce this message with my kid.
I'm not wild about the illustrations. So many "diversity" books depict the "Asian" skin tones as really yellow and eyes as really slanty. But it's not just the Asian depictions; for instance, on the mouths page there are three separate depictions of faces with identical pinkish skin tones; in a book about diversity, why repeat that same skin tone three times on one page?
TL;DR: it's an ok book but I wouldn't use it as my only or even favorite book to reinforce this message with my kid.
April 29, 2021
Title (italicize): Were Different, Were the same
Author: Bobbi Jane Kates
Illustrator (if separate from author): Joe Mathieu
Genre: children's literature
Theme(s): friendship, kindness, caring, wonder
Opening line/sentence (type directly from text): “were different, our noses are different”
Brief Book Summary (2-3 sentences in your own words): this is a great children's book for younger learners because it shows characters they're similar to seeing on tv, characters that will keep their attention drawn throughout the book and learn as they listen.
Tell Me Framework (4 sentences in your own words):
Like(s): the characters in the story relate to my childhood, short enough pages for children to understand and point out on the page as well.
Dislike(s): none
Patterns(s): something different about one another, something that is similar to one another
Puzzle(s): peoples faces
Author: Bobbi Jane Kates
Illustrator (if separate from author): Joe Mathieu
Genre: children's literature
Theme(s): friendship, kindness, caring, wonder
Opening line/sentence (type directly from text): “were different, our noses are different”
Brief Book Summary (2-3 sentences in your own words): this is a great children's book for younger learners because it shows characters they're similar to seeing on tv, characters that will keep their attention drawn throughout the book and learn as they listen.
Tell Me Framework (4 sentences in your own words):
Like(s): the characters in the story relate to my childhood, short enough pages for children to understand and point out on the page as well.
Dislike(s): none
Patterns(s): something different about one another, something that is similar to one another
Puzzle(s): peoples faces
June 30, 2023
What a fun book! In a world where both diversity and community are valued, this book is a perfect balance of celebrating both! I used to read this book growing up, and coming back to it now just reminds me more than ever how great this book is. It also helps that it is filled with the characters from Sesame Street, which not only can be supplemented with the television show and the activities and papers that are available on both the Sesame Street in Communities site as well as the Yellow Feather Fund site. It is an excellent read for children (and parents) who love Sesame Street (especially since the parents may have read this book while they were growing up too!)
The illustrations are equally as wonderful as the manuscript; just a wonderful book overall that I am excited to read to my own children one day.
The illustrations are equally as wonderful as the manuscript; just a wonderful book overall that I am excited to read to my own children one day.
February 13, 2024
"We're Different, We're all the Same" is a poignant exploration of diversity and unity, seamlessly blending vibrant illustrations with a powerful message. Authored by a team of cultural experts, this children's book gracefully navigates the complexities of individuality and inclusivity. Through relatable characters and engaging storytelling, it effortlessly conveys the beauty of embracing our differences while celebrating our shared humanity. This heartwarming tale serves as a valuable tool for parents and educators alike, fostering empathy and understanding in young minds. With its timeless lessons and universal appeal, "We're Different, We're all the Same" is a must-read for anyone seeking to instill acceptance and kindness in the next generation.
July 13, 2018
This book is fiction, in that there are monsters in the book. It is also jam packed with valuable lessons about differences and the fact that even our differences really are not that different at all. What I like about this book is that it has human characters and monster characters that children are familiar with from Sesame Street. It makes it easy for young children to identify with the characters and helps them understand that the differences don't mean anything in the big scheme of things. I would use this book with student preschool through 3rd or 4th grade. Due to Sesame Street, I'm not sure that older children would connect with it in the same way.
April 12, 2019
We're Different, We're the Same is by Bobbi Kates, the story talks about how everyone in the world are the same. Sesame Street goes on to teach the reader that we may all look different on the outside but it’s important to remember that deep down, we are all alike. We all have the same needs, desires, and feelings.
This book is a great way to show children how to not judge anyone, and it is a good read. There are lots of important meaningful moments throughout the book. I have always liked books that can help children understand that it is important to treat everyone the same. This is why I rated this book the way I did. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to read it.
This book is a great way to show children how to not judge anyone, and it is a good read. There are lots of important meaningful moments throughout the book. I have always liked books that can help children understand that it is important to treat everyone the same. This is why I rated this book the way I did. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to read it.
April 25, 2019
This is such a cute picture book and is perfect to start promoting the importance of diversity with young children. The book goes through sharing pictures of how everyone has different features, but many times they are used for the same purpose. For example, one page shows pictures of how everyone has different hair and then the next page shares that everyone's hair is also the same because it grows in different places and keeps our heads warm. To me, this would be a perfect book to read with young ones who start questioning the physical differences with people. The pictures really help to support the message and this would be a perfect, quick, bed time read!
January 19, 2023
This board book honors the many unique aspects we all have and honors our core commonalities, as well.
The book depicts depicts the wide variety of variations among people, each page focusing on a certain characteristic (noses, mouths, etc. or emotions). Each one is followed by a page showing core similarities of those aspects. Every page includes Sesame street characters, too.
The overall heart of the story is that our uniqueness "makes the world fun. Many kinds of people, not just one!" and, at the same time, celebrates our commonalities.
These simple explanations are easy for small children to understand and are vitally important for everyone.
The book depicts depicts the wide variety of variations among people, each page focusing on a certain characteristic (noses, mouths, etc. or emotions). Each one is followed by a page showing core similarities of those aspects. Every page includes Sesame street characters, too.
The overall heart of the story is that our uniqueness "makes the world fun. Many kinds of people, not just one!" and, at the same time, celebrates our commonalities.
These simple explanations are easy for small children to understand and are vitally important for everyone.
March 4, 2024
this book talks about all of our different features. Our noses are different, but we all use them to smell. Our hair is different, but it grows on all of us in several places. our mouths are different but we still all use them to smile and speak. Our skin is different, but it protects all of us and has bones wrapped inside it. Our eyes may be different, but eyes help everyone to see, blink, wink etc. Our bodies are different, but they can still stretch, play, ride bikes and more. Our feelings may be different, but we all have them. Being the same and different is what makes our world so fun. "Aren't you glad you look like you?"
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