IT'S OK!! Celebrated in New York Book Exhibit

"...You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the years that have passed, there has never been another child like you. Your legs, your arms, your clever fingers, the way you move. You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel..." These compelling words of Pablo Picasso, addressed to all unique children, gleefully echo within the colorful pages of the newly published storybook of seasoned educator and children's fiction author Paula E. Gelbach, titled It's OK !! Everybody's Different.

"The theme of all three stories is that everyone is different and these differences should be acknowledged and celebrated," states Gelbach. "The stories involve animals as main characters. Each story, in its own way, emphasizes that it is acceptable to be different. This book is written for kindergarten, first and second graders."

"The Purple Bottomus" tells the story of a hippopotamus who goes about the jungle each day, proudly proclaiming how beautiful her purple "bottomus" is. Other animals, like the lion, zebra, monkey, giraffe, peacock, crocodile, and pig do not have the same purple "bottomus" but are equally proud of their own. Even skunk with a white stripe at the end of his stinky "bottomus" is happy and proud of his individuality.

"Frightened Jack, The Yellow Jacket" is a tale of a friendly wasp who was afraid of Mr. Big Bully Yellow Jacket. Mr. Big Bully does not want Jack flying with the swarm of yellow jackets and so often chases him away. Only upon the advice of his mother, and his friend, Penelope Lady Bug, does he discover the reason for the Mr. Big Bully's bullying, and more importantly, the reason why Jack is loved and accepted by many others.

"Teacher Katie" is about a polar bear who lived near the North Pole named Katie Snowflake. As a first grade bear in Icy Roof Top School, Katie dreaded school because she could not do satisfactory art projects as her teacher expected. When Katie eventually becomes a first grade teacher, she makes sure that every first grade bear is accepted, and the happiness and smiles on their faces become her source of great joy.

As a means to celebrate uniqueness, It's OK !! Everybody's Different is a brief yet lesson-filled book with animal stories that teaches young readers how to appreciate the beauty in them and in others, stand up against bullying, treasure valuable friendships, and how to encourage one another to attain their highest potentials. Through her three brightly colored and endearing stories, Gelbach has creatively epitomized Picasso's words.

This book was featured at the New York Library Association Book Exhibit in Niagara Falls, N.Y. last September 25 - 28, 2013.

For more information on this book, interested parties may log on to http://www.Xlibris.com.

About the Author
Paula E. Gelbach was born in Pennsylvania and grew up in Washington D.C. She attended four years of study at Wells College, Aurora, N.Y. After receiving her B.A. at Wells, Gelbach went on to teach in an elementary school in Maryland and Connecticut. She received her Master's Degree in Elementary School Education at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Conn. This is her first book.

It's OK !! Everybody's Different * by Paula E. Gelbach
Picture Book; $17.49; 28 pages; 978-1-4836-0075-8
Picture Book Hardcover; $24.99; 28 pages; 978-1-4836-0076-5
eBook; $3.99; 978-1-4836-0077-2

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