Taryn recommends "Linus"

In Linneopolis everyone is an “uptight, straitlaced bunch.” Everyone that is except Linus. Linus loves colors, shapes, and any reason to celebrate. The Line Leader wants Linus to tone it down and become proper just like everyone else. When Linus tries to stay in line, the more bent out of shape he becomes. The Line Leader takes Linus to the edge of town to build some character and get back to being the Linus that they know and love, but Linus feels that he needs more in his life so he runs away. On his journey Linus finds that the farther he goes, the more things change, and once he gets to Squiggleville he helps those residents to learn that he makes their world more special. When Linus starts to miss home he comes up with a plan to bring everyone together and the residents of Linneoplis learn that maybe “different” isn’t a bad thing after all.

I really enjoyed this story because it shows that sometimes being different and not always following the norm is a beautiful thing. I think that this book will help those children who have big personalities to understand that they are not “bad” because they are different and will help those children who maybe don’t have big personalities to know that those who are “different” can help make the world a better place. I love the illustrations that are in this book because they help to make the story come to life. This book can be a great teaching opportunity for grown-ups and caregivers to help the children in their lives to understand that everyone’s differences are what make the world an amazing place. It may even help some grown-ups understand this too. This book is geared towards young children, but I think it would be good through upper elementary school as well.