“ONE BUT MANY

Suzy Kassem, Rise Up and Salute the Sun: The Writings of Suzy Kassem

Bea and Edie both love cuddly rabbits. Bea has Rabbity pictured with the book and has had him since her first birthday. He goes everywhere with her. That is the first thing that we noticed was the same for Bea and the little girl in the story. There are lots of similarities between Bea and Edie and the little girl. Two eyes, two ears, a mouth and a nose. Two hands, two feet, two knees and one bottom! (Edie’s favourite page!)

Just Like You is a beautiful book that reminds us that while it is important to accept and celebrate differences it is also important to remember that really, in many ways we are very much the same.

We are all people, we all walk and run and play, we all love and care and speak and sing. I am just like you in so many ways that matter. Bea is just like the little girl in this story in so many simple easy to spot ways and in more complex ways too. They both like to feel cosy and loved, warm and safe. They both like rabbits and cuddles.

Wherever we are in the world, wherever our journey takes us, we are just the same. We can and should be kind and accepting and treat others as we would like to be treated ourselves. Everyone has a story, ups and downs, hard times, sad days. We all feel and we all want to be belong. We can make people feel welcome, included, accepted and loved. We can be kind and friendly to all and we can remember that though in many ways people are different in many ways all people are just like you.

“We are more alike than different. We Are One.”
Efrat Cybulkiewicz

A beautiful book with an important message made simple for littlest readers. My children all love this book and so do I.

Jo Loring-Fisher has a wonderful way of combining words and pictures to make you stop and think and act. Her words and pictures reach our hearts and minds. This is a story of empathy, warmth and hope and should be read by all small children and their grown ups.

And perhaps many members of our government!