The OK Book

The OK Book

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3.86 of 5 stars 3.86  ·  rating details  ·  298 ratings  ·  83 reviews
In this clever and literal play on words, OK is turned on its side, upside down, and right side up to show that being OK can really be quite great. Whether OK personifies an OK skipper, an OK climber, an OK lightning bug catcher, or an OK whatever there is to experience, ok is an OK place to be. And being OK just may lead to the discovery of what makes one great.

With spare...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published April 24th 2007 by HarperCollins
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(showing 1-30 of 426)
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Sarah
In these high-pressure times, I LOVE the message of this book: it's OK to just be okay at things, especially for a child who's learning and experimenting. The child-like illustrations (stick person) are a perfect fit, and there are just the right number of examples. Each picture shows the child trying something ("I'm an ok pancake flipper") and shows the evidence that s/he's missed the mark a bit (pancake on the head not on the plate). Kids will relate but I'd REALLY like to put this in the hand...more
Jeanette
My kids like Amy Krouse Rosenthal books so I figured this one would be a hit. Oh my goodness! I don't think my 3 year old has ever laughed so much while I read a book. And she's a happy, giggly little girl.
Rosenthal is really good at original ideas for picture books. Hers are definitely not your usual kids books just re-written and re-illustrated. This one is all about a little stick figure that is "ok" at lots of things. (The stick figure is shaped like the letters OK.) Cute and fun but I hone...more
Linda
I happened across this picture book the same afternoon I’d finished reading “The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother” for a book group. So my thoughts may be a bit biased because of this. “The OK Book” is the antithesis of “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother.” In true American fashion, this book celebrates mediocrity. With simple (clever) line drawings, this picture book child shows (s)he’s ok at skipping, climbing, diving, hiding, sharing, pancake flipping, etc… and concludes “One day, I’ll grow up to...more
Roberta Snyder
A good book about growing up and trying things out. I enjoyed this book because,it is so important to give young children a voice about their self-esteem. This book is well written and easy for young children to understand and enjoy. The text I found most powerful is the hope for the future, that you can be anything you want to be when you grow up. This is a very needed and powerful message that young children need to hear over and over. Just beautiful. The message that it's okay to try differen...more
Sandi
While the stick graphics and brief sentences appear to be geared toward children, I think the message that "it's OK to be OK" at things you try applies to ALL ages. As adults, we are sometimes afraid to try new things because we will make mistakes and not be perfect. As Rosenthal teaches, we should strive to have a good time trying new things we are interested in.

Little ones will definitely enjoy and understand the minimal but clear graphics. This will be a great book to read with my grandchild...more
Bethany
I read this book in my kindergarten practicum class. It is a good read, especially for young readers. It's illustrations are simple and direct. It teaches students how it is alright to be just "ok" at something. Everybody is not the fastest or the smartest, and that is okay. The point it makes at the end of the book, is that even though you may be "ok" at something now, you will find something and get better at it as you get older. I think that is an important lesson for all students to learn.
Kathryn
I give this one five stars for the idea and three stars for the execution. The concept is really fun as the character is shaped like "OK" and it tells how it is "ok" at many things, like swinging in a tree, doing handstands, etc. so we see the OK doing these things--hard to describe, but great concept! However, I found myself getting a little bored once the novelty wore off as there really wasn't much "special" about the illustrations or the text. The ending has a nice message, though.
Peacegal
Surprise? The OK Book was, in fact, just OK.

Proffering the very 21st-century-child message that you don’t have to be a superstar at everything you do (you can be “just OK”), the book was nevertheless forgettable, and the cheapo illustrations (the word “Ok” drawn as a stick figure) felt like a cop-out.

(Veg*n parents note: The text includes a line about being an “Ok fisher.” However, a fish is not shown on the character’s line, but rather a boot.)
Heidi
Not the most fabulous book as far as hilarity. But I couldn't stop smiling that the stick figure spelled OK--and did so on every page. :-) I also like that there is a great message in this book--especially as I'm a person who is "ok" at most things. That made me very happy. I would like to see if children pick up on the message easily.

Not the best storytime choice, but a nice lap-read and read-alone.

So exicted to meet author AND illustrator in a few days!
Becca
The OK book is a little "dude" OK that is a person like character. OK does a lot of things in many ways and is represented on each page in a different way. OK is successful and strives to do even more! OK is inspirational and funny. OK likes to be active and entertained. OK is great for young children to read, second grade and below. Preschoolers would love to have OK read to them, and spot OK on each page as a fun game!
Dolly
Aug 23, 2010 Dolly rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: parents reading with their children
We really, really liked this book. It has a simple concept, but a powerful message. It's okay to try a lot of different things, even if, especially if you aren't that good at them. Because you never know when you'll find your niche, your passion, something you are really good at. Our girls enjoyed the story and they really liked looking at the "ok" pictures in their various poses.
Kristen
This book is one of a kind! i never knew you could turn an 'OK' into a stick person! Nonetheless, OK likes to do many things, but he's only 'ok' at these things. He's on his way to find what he's excellent at. This inspirational book is very inspiring for readers to get out these and find what their hobbies are and what they are excellent at!
Shaundell
Cute, simple little book with a powerful message. The message being that at times it's ok to be ok at something. We don't always have to be great or fantastic or wonderful at everything we do and that it's ok to do lots of things to find out what you really want and like.

Amy and Tom are my favorite author/illustrator combos!
Cheryl in CC NV
Try everything. Be fearless; don't be a perfectionist; it's ok to be ok. Something will stick and you'll want to do it more and get better at it, and then you'll have found your passion & your gift.

See, translated, the summary in my words doesn't sound so great. Rosenthal's presentation is much more effective.
Annette
This was super cute book. The "OK" guy (turn the letters OK on their side and they look like a stick man) is OK at a lot of stuff. One day he says he will be excellent at something and until that day he is having fun finding out what he will be excellent at. Loved the message. Cute idea -- OK guy. Left me smiling.
Kerri
I really enjoy Amy Krouse Rosenthal. I love her fascination with word play and how she incorporates that into her books. Fun book especially when you pay close attention to the illustrations. My kids loved the "I'm an OK sharer" page. Silly yet profound picture book.
Jenny
No one is perfect and it's "ok" to be just "ok." This book takes the letters "OK," turns it into a stick figure and proceeds to have OK try different things as it searches for what it will one day be "excellent."
A wonderful concept book and message for ALL ages!
Maureen
Oct 16, 2011 Maureen rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Teachers
Shelves: great-pairings
Are you looking for a book to help a student find their talents? This book, along with two others, would be just the ticket to offer a simple and helpful message. The other books are "Albertines Got Talent" by Shena Power and "Jack's Talent" b AMary Ann Cocca-Leffler.
Rebecca Dean
This is a great book which uses play on words. The picture of the person is actually the letter O and K turned every way. This is a very cute book that shows children that no matter what you are right now you will eventually be great at something if you work at it.
NancyJo Lambert
We thought the OK book was just OK. It was a neat concept, but the neatness quickly wore off as the entire book is alot of the same. My son liked that the OK was both the word and the person. Still though, I had hoped for more from this author that I really like.
Michelle Nero
A book that has been read hundreds of times in my classroom. Love the idea of the OK guy. And I love the message shared as well! It's OK to be OK at some things. . . keep trying because you'll figure out what you are excellent at doing!
Melissa Tamayo
Powerful message here. Letting children know that it's "ok" to try new things & not freak out if they aren't that good at it. A lot of times we don't even try new things for fear of being bad at it. I liked this book very much.
Sarah
Another book full of win, I was pleased to find this on the cart the other day. It is fabulous to know that other people can understand that it is ok to be ok at lots of things, we don't have to be awesome at everything.
Leslie
A great little book! A stick figure OK travels through the pages of the book being "okay" at lots of different things. At the end he dreams of things he may be excellent at one day. A great message for kids and adults.
Ashley
Genre: Picture Book
Copyright: 2007

This book is a very simple book, with a simple concept. It is a great book for teaching self-esteem. It shows that it is ok to be "ok" at things and that you don't have to be the best. It also shows kids that they will figure out one day what they want to do, for now they can just have fun! I think it would be best for primary grades.
Tricia
This title is reassuring as we watch the "ok" be okay at different things in life...and it's okay. Fun use of two letters...kids enjoyed seeing what all they did and the fact that they look like a person.
Horace Mann Family Reading Challenge
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL BOOK!!!! I'm going out to buy a copy for every child on my holiday list. Children and adults will appreciate the illustrations as we travel through the OK events of life. P.K.
Bree
Ok is really a stick figure who is okay at doing everything. And guess what he is okay with that. He figures one day he will grow up and be really good at something but right now he is having fun.
Libby
Cute, simple, thought provoking. Just about loved it. For adults and children, but mostly for those who don't think they have any special talents - we do, and this book proves it!
Liss
This book is, I think, a picture book for adults or at least older children. Young children may like the book but I doubt the message shared will be very clear.
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The Ok Book (Library Binding)
The OK Book (ebook)
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Amy Krouse Rosenthal is. She divides her time.
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