264. Same, But Little Bit Diff'rent by Kylie Dunstan

Same, But Little Bit Diff'rent by Kylie Dunstan
Published August 2012 Windy Hollow Books

'Right up the very top of Australia there is a special place. My friend Normie comes from there, and he says, 'Things are different to what you might see in the city. Same, but little bit diffrent ' Told in the stunning collage artwork for which Kylie Dunstan is acclaimed, the story is related by a child living in a southern city and her friend Normie, who lives in the top end. As they compare notes about their lives, activities and interests, they discover how very much they have in common, despite their contrasting environments. 

For a long time now in schools there has been a focus on how 'we're all the same'. In many ways that is of course true, but with our schools bursting with multicultural uniqueness , there are also a lot of differences.

The truth is, it should be OK to be different, in fact when it comes to culture we should embrace it and celebrate it. This book has that perfect balance, looking at different aspects of everyday life such as  play, pets, fun and family and shows how things in two very different parts of Australia, are 'same, but little bit diff'rent.'



Kylie Dunstan uses the most beautiful collage to produce her illustrations.  They are simple, but bold and clear.  One of my favourites is the opening pages where the two friends are the only pieces of colour in an otherwise dull grey world.  I also like the humour in the illustrations, like the picture to the left which illustrated the different type of pets the friends may have.


The art work may look simple, and in some ways it is, but it is perfect in its simplicity.  I like artwork in a picture book that shows you don't have to be able to draw to be good at art.  I am not saying there is no skill in collage (one look will tell you there is), but it's not drawing or painting, and collage is something that every child can try and achieve something beautiful and effective.

Who will like this book: Boys and Girls age 5+
Read it if you like: Children Just Like Me: A Celebration of Children Around the World by Dorling Kindersley