This book teaches us to honor and celebrate our differing abilities. Let us welcome ZZ to every classroom, library and home bookshelf. At some time in our lives, we are all ZZ.
-Coreen Sabat
Excellent! The thing I liked most about it is that zigzag is a real character with whom readers can empathize. The book is sensitive and the character is both individual and universal. An excellent book for young readers with illustrations that children will connect with immediately.
-Steven Palmieri, Teacher/Administrator
"Such an adorably illustrated and heartfelt story! This is exactly the kind of book that kids will love to read over and over; then as they grow up it will stick with them, and they'll always cherish it and smile when they remember it."
-MZ Runyan
"This Children's Book teaches little kids compassion and acceptance of diversity in a very kid friendly way, understandable to small children, with simple yet catchy visual art with it. In a world where there is a lot of division, it is important to teach children to embrace diversity and to know that we all are together in this life, now. Thank you Deborah for the positive impact you have been making in our world.
-Daniela Kunz
The book, “Okay to Be Me: ZZ’s Great Discovery” is a book that talks about how people are different in many ways. This book teaches children at an early age to be kind and respectful to others, and not to bully. This book will show children that there are people who are different, but at the end of the day, a person is a person, and we all have something to offer one another.
-Luther, a student at Monroe Community College with Autism
ZZ has a message for all of us: be yourself and become the best self you can be. Help others to do the same and you've changed the world.
-Andy McCabe, Psy.D.,citybearpress.com, Autism with Dr. Andy Radio Show HealthyLife.net.
As a grandmother of a three-year old I am always on the lookout for books that produce challenges for a young mind.
Okay To Be Me: ZZ’s Great Discovery is just such a book. It talks about the tribulations of being different from the norm. So appropriate at this time when bullying, prejudices against race, religions and physical afflictions seem part of life.
ZZ’s desperate efforts to be the same eventually reach his adversaries’ hearts. They help to “straighten” him out and, in the laborious process, their shapes change to being abnormal. Now they all are different.
The simple, but precise wording to convey important events make the story perfect for the little ones and for adults a contemplation.
I received the book as a gift, bought a few more for the toddlers in my life. It’s a sweet little story conveying an important message. Illustrations are exquisite in color and form.
-Marlene McKee