Super Isaac: What makes him different makes him great!

“Normal is not something to aspire to, it’s something to get away from.”

— Jodie Foster

I have spent the last few weeks with my family, including precious time with my eight-year-old nephew, Super Isaac.

Isaac is forgiving and loving. 

Cheeky and funny. 

Affectionate and expressive, I have written about Isaac before on this blog.

He has a beautiful imagination and talks about 'his world' - Happy World, whose inhabitants are anthropomorphic animals. (It's a bit like Richard Scarry's Busy Town. In his world, Isaac imagines he's a border collie who drives a big, racing-green van!)

Somewhere in his head, Isaac also has a calendar. It totally blows my mind: if you tell him your birthday (for example,12th February), he will be able to tell you which day of the week it falls on. 

In any year.

(I'm telling you - when he's older, he'll never have to pay for his drinks!)

Being with Isaac got me thinking about one of the more recent books I've illustrated: Only You Can Be You - What Makes You Different Makes You Great! by Sally and Nathan Clarkson (Tommy Nelson 2019):

 

The irresistible rhymes paired with Tim Warnes's whimsical illustrations encourage your children with reassurance in their own uniqueness. Whether they are quiet or artistic, funny or boisterous, your children will love this heartwarming read that assures them they're wonderful exactly as they are.

- Publisher’s blurb

 

From Only You Can Be You! by Nathan and Sally Clarkson, ill. by Tim Warnes (Tommy Nelson) | © Tim Warnes 2019

 

I didn’t mention (though you may have guessed): Isaac also happens to be autistic.

It would be too easy to view Isaac's autistic traits (for example, occasional stimming and obsessive conversations) as abnormal. Or, to see those differences in a negative light. Instead, the family have embraced them, and we celebrate Isaac for who he is: a totally unique creation! To be honest, he's a breath of fresh air and great company, and I am blessed to have him in my life.

 

Yep - Super Isaac is one of a kind.

 












































 

In a world where the message is that you need to look and act like everyone else, Sally Clarkson and her son Nathan … have written another book to help kids (of all ages) realize they are perfect with all their differences and quirks!!

- Good reads

 

From Only You Can Be You! by Nathan and Sally Clarkson, ill. by Tim Warnes (Tommy Nelson) | Text © 2019 by Nathan and Sally Clarkson |Illustration © Tim Warnes 2019

 

There are times when we all feel like the odd-one-out. Some are constantly reminded that they are different.

I never felt like I really fitted in when I was a kid.

Quiet and creative.

Sensitive.

Anything vaguely sporty bored me stupid, so that ruled out any football connection with the boys. Instead, like a young Gerald Durrell, my passions lay with birds and nature. (Plus drawing, reading and writing, of course!)

Insecure in my own identity, I hid those interests as best I could. (I have learned to embrace the bird nerd in me: so you'll find a vast array of birds in these illustrations. I even snuck a birdwatcher in there, in honour of my younger self.)

 

From Only You Can Be You! by Nathan and Sally Clarkson, ill. by Tim Warnes (Tommy Nelson) | © Tim Warnes 2019

 Maybe you know a kid who feels like they don't fit in - or that feels misunderstood? In which case I would recommend you share Only You Can be You! 

The book has been really well received - with a consistent five-star customer rating on Amazon (and a solid 4.5 on GoodReads) - partly because it sends a reassuring message to neurodiverse kids (like Super Isaac) and those on the spectrum: 

Everyone's different, and that's okay!

But don't be fooled into thinking its value is reserved only for kids who fit into that bracket. (What is 'normal' anyway?) The book's core message extends well beyond one group of individuals.

It embraces racially diverse characters (something the public have been crying out for).

It celebrates the fact that, whatever you look like, however you behave - we are all unique creations. A message that, as one reviewer wrote, 'is so needed in this divided world.' 

On Good Reads, another wrote, 'This book is sure to lay a good foundation, the kind that we want our lives and kids' lives to be built upon.'

 

Everyone's different, and that's okay.

The Maker of everything made us that way.

 

Finally, here’s author Nathan Clarkson explaining what motivated him to create the book:

 

This book was written to my younger self. This book was written to the kid who doesn't fit in. This book was written to the kid who feels like they're always too much. This book was written to the out-of-the-box kids to help them know from a young age, the uniqueness God has created you and others with is GOOD!

 

From Only You Can Be You! by Nathan and Sally Clarkson, ill. by Tim Warnes (Tommy Nelson) | © Tim Warnes 2019

 GOOD TO READ

Other picture books that celebrate the individual

So Much by Trish Cooke, ill. by Helen Oxenbury (Walker Books 1994)

Tad by Benji Davies (HarperCollins 2019)

Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love (Candlewick Press 2018)

Lavender by Posy Simmonds (Red Fox 2003)

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems (Hyperion, 2009)

  Available in hardback and board book versions  

Only You Can Be You! by Nathan and Sally Clarkson, ill. by Tim Warnes (Tommy Nelson) | © Tim Warnes 2019

AMAZON REVIEW S:

‘Colorfully and creatively illustrated’

‘As the mom of three two of which are special needs makes me love this message even more.’

‘be inspired by the diversity of children and animals throughout the book’

‘The message … is so needed in this divided world.’

Buy US




Buy UK

 Sources Being unique quotes (elevate.com)ONLY YOU CAN BE YOU - WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT MAKES YOU GREAT! BY NATHAN AND SALLY CLARKSON, ILL. BY TIM WARNES (TOMMY NELSON 2019)NATHAN CLARKSON ON INSTAGRAM