The Boy with Two Belly Buttons

by Stephen J. Dubner, Christoph Niemann (Illustrator)

Solomon never thinks it's strange that he has two belly buttons—until he finds out that no one else does. Is having that extra belly button good or bad? Things look worse and worse until an unexpected encounter makes Solomon appreciate what it means to be a little bit different. This one-of-a-kind story from bestselling author Stephen J. Dubner ( Freakonomics ) and illustrator Christoph Niemann will strike a chord with anyone who feels like an exception to the rule.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction

32 pages, Library Binding

First published October 1, 2007

About the author

Stephen J. Dubner is an award-winning author, journalist, and TV and radio personality. In addition to Freakonomics and SuperFreakonomics, his books include Turbulent Souls Choosing My Religion, Confessions of a Hero-Worshiper, and the children’s book The Boy With Two Belly Buttons. His journalism has been published in The New York Times, The New Yorker, and Time, and has been anthologized in The Best American Sports Writing, The Best American Crime Writing, and elsewhere. He has taught English at Columbia University (while receiving an M.F.A. there), played in a rock band (which started at Appalachian State University, where he was an undergrad, and was later signed to Arista Records), and, as a writer, was first published at the age of 11, in Highlights for Children. He lives in New York with his wife, the documentary photographer Ellen Binder, and their children.

Reviews

[Petra X · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK pictures and crap text that say Its All Right To Be Different. Its all right to be interesting too, but not in this book.

[Chrisanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

It has some worth but I felt cheated of answers at the end.

[Joanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I grabbed this book at the library because I was intrigued by the title. When I finished the story I was confused and disappointed because it didn't explain why the boy had an extra belly button. The books' dedication leads me to believe that this story is based on a true story; who knows. Anyways, I would probably use this book as a read aloud; especially in a very diverse classroom where I feel that students are becoming clique-ish and are not interacting with one another aside from any differences. Not one of the first books I'd grab, but one that's nice to have.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty good story about learning to accept yourself warts, or in this case bellybuttons, and all. My son liked it, but there is a part about a turtle in the middle which just doesn't make sense.

[Tara Mensing · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like how this book shows that it's okay to be different but it never answered why the boy had two belly buttons. Though answering the question wasn't the point to the story, I'm sure many children would ask. Either way, it was interesting but this book is far from my favorite.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book about being different; the only disappointment is not finding out why he has two belly buttons

[Nativida · Rating 2 out of 5]

Huh?
Never answered the burning question!

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the art. The story is a little scattershot—there are a few pages in the middle with a talking turtle in a world that otherwise seems pretty normal, and Steven Spielberg an unnamed film director offers to make a movie about Solomon but gets no answer. It's not the best book that you could read to your kid, but they'll probably like it fine.

The actual reason that I checked this out is because I just finished Dubner's excellent memoir Turbulent Souls, and noticed that he seemed to have named the protagonist of this book after his late father, Sol. And if you've read the memoir, and know that Sol had a difficult relationship with his family that led to a lifelong estrangement and struggle with depression, then the younger Dubner choosing to write about the value of individuality with a protagonist named "Sol(omon)" has some very interesting subtext.

The dedication implies that Dubner actually named the character after his son, who, one presumes, was named after his father. But still, I think that that subtext is the most interesting thing about this otherwise so-so story.

Also, dark theory: Solomon has two navels because of Vanishing Twin Syndrome.

[Philip Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stephen Dubner, of Freakonomics fame tries his hand at a children’s book. I enjoyed reading this book to my son, who (sort of) has two belly buttons due to his feeding tube as a baby. It stimulated some really good conversations with him. The end is really abrupt but the message is hopeful for those who have a unique life experience. Everyone is valuable and interesting, even if most people don’t see it. Also, don’t listen to people who tell you that your experience is impossible — their world view is limited and they don’t care enough to listen.

Finally, perhaps by accident, the story highlights for me how important talking to your children is, no matter how busy you are. The boy cannot ask his parents about his two belly buttons because they are “too busy with the new baby,” so he looked to strangers for answers.

Taken literally, how is it possible that this boy has an unusual physical characteristic and his parents have never talked to him about it?

Taken metaphorically, the boy feels like he’s on his own now that there is a new baby and his parents have failed to make him feel like they are there for him.

[Sam Bloom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weird ending (is that supposed to be Spielberg?!?), but a funny book nonetheless.

[Simone]

SOO FUNNY !!!

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

very cute adult children's book

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute. Teaches where to look for more information and that you are perfect just they way you are even if you are different.

[Jacob Jewell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I stepped out of my usual genres for this, and really liked it, as did my three year old cousin. Well done, Dubner.

[Awjtf · Rating 4 out of 5]

funny book!

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok

[Mollie B · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's okay to be different

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

...enjoyed the Steven Spielberg cameo