Arcadia Public Library

In The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown, a leading expert on shame, authenticity, and belonging, shares ten guideposts on the power of Wholehearted living--a way of engaging with the world from a place of worthiness.

Illustrations and brief text describe all kinds of differences that are "okay," such as "It's Okay to be a different color," "It's Okay to need some help," "It's Okay to be adopted," and "It's Okay to have a Different nose."

"Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after Girl Scouts she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth. What follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. And on top of all that, there's still more to deal with: a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly."--

This moving ode to the immigrant experience, as well as a manifesto of self-love for Chinese American children, is a jubilant celebration of accepting who you are.

Rachel Hollis is sounding a wake-up call. She knows that many women have been taught to define themselves in light of other people--whether as wife, mother, daughter, or employee--instead of learning how to own who they are and what they want. With a challenge to women everywhere to stop talking themselves out of their dreams, Hollis identifies the excuses to let go of, the behaviors to adopt, and the skills to acquire on the path to growth, confidence,...

The dinosaur thinks he's much too tall. It's not easy being different! Danny decides to cheer his friend up, and together they discover that being too tall might not be so bad after all.

"A giraffe's self-esteem is tested when he competes with a balloon for a young boy's attention."--

Picture book encouraging kids to be proud of what makes them unique, where they come from, and how they express themselves and see the world.

"You're different from everyone else--and it's awesome! This book celebrates all the things that make you special. From the way you look to the activities you enjoy--there's no wrong way to be yourself. Do you like sports, art, spelling, or math? Do you like more than one? Do you hang out with lots of friends or maybe a few? Whoever you are, it's great being you!"--

Sassafras, the little skunk, develops self-esteem when he learns the value of his "special gift" while playing with his friends in the woods.