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Little Jimmy Says, "Same Is Lame"

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"It is your uniqueness that's really the seed. Embrace it! Exploit it! And you will Succeed."

Little Jimmy is a small guy with a BIG mission... help people realize how special they really are.

Why is everyone trying so hard to fit in when there is so much uniqueness to celebrate?

Jump in and follow the miniature ringmaster through his circus-inspired world of weird, where normal is ordinary, and ordinary is boring.

In these fun-filled pages you'll discover what makes you unique and why being different is actually cool.

So hurry, hurry! Come one, come all! Step right up. Kids of all ages, shapes and sizes are welcome and special in Little Jimmy's wondrous and wacky world.

Read this book and prepare to be amazed at what you see in the mirror the next time you take a look!

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 4, 2014

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About the author

Jimmy Vee

19 books16 followers
Jimmy Vee is known around the world as the Five Foot High Marketing Guy. He is living proof that big things really do come in small packages. He is a savvy CEO, a loving husband, a funny father, a bestselling business book author, a sought-after advertising copywriter, a wannabe musician, a master magician, a stand-up comedian and a stiff-lipped ventriloquist.

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5 stars
32 (69%)
4 stars
9 (19%)
3 stars
3 (6%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
2 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Stephanie Ward.
1,234 reviews115 followers
February 2, 2015
'Little Jimmy Says, "Same Is Lame"' is a fun book to teach kids that being different isn't a bad thing - that our differences are actually cool. This was a quick read that had lots of great activity pages throughout to keep young readers engaged in the book and the topic. In today's society, where expectations on how to look, dress, act, etc. are learned at a ridiculously young age, this book takes the topic head on. It tries to teach children that being different in any way is cool - not lame. Not only is it cool to be different - other kids are cool for being different in their own ways too. The book touches on deep topics like self esteem, bullying, and societal norms in a way that kids will understand and even enjoy learning about. It's sad that our culture has come to this point - where young children have to be taught that it's alright to be different from others - whether it's skin color, weight, height, wearing glasses, etc., that these characteristics make some people unique and special - that they are nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about. The author and illustrator make this a great learning tool by integrating fun activities along with the narrative and the entire book is full of bright and colorful illustrations. I definitely recommend this book to parents of children who are beginning school or are in lower elementary grades. Also, this would be a fantastic book for teachers and counselors to use in order to talk about bullying and being different.

Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Storytime Books.
71 reviews1 follower
March 16, 2015
This book really impressed me. I have to admit, when I read the title, I was taken back a little bit by it. I had no idea what it meant by “Same is Lame.” However, I try not to judge a book by it’s cover. So after going through and reading the book, I was really impressed at what a great book and message this is to children. They address so many different scenarios that children themselves could see themselves as “different” and Jimmy turns that into a positive thing. He basically tells children and people how their uniqueness makes them stand out and they should never feel ashamed of their differences. The book also rhymes as you go along, so it makes it very catchy to rhyme and read along. Once again, I tried to find improvements in this book, only to find myself reading another really well done book that I couldn’t find anything wrong with. It has a very positive and clear message for children.

The illustrations, done by Mike Motz, were very impressive. Just because it took every detail and aspect of each scenario in the story, and portrayed it perfectly. From the simple things in the background of the illustrations, to the detail in characters, the illustrations will put you in a positive mood. You’ll see what I mean when you read the book. ;)

Final thoughts, this is the perfect book to give your child, or even yourself a confidence boost. Especially if you or someone you know is a little sensitive because of their differences. We are all different, but we are all made to stand out and shine. I would recommend this book to schools, teachers, parents, children, and even adults.
6 reviews
January 10, 2015
I received the book “Same is Lame” for free as part of an early reviewer program.

The title uses an ableist word (lame used as an insult/derogatory meaning a person who cannot walk). It’s no better than saying “Same is Retarded.” This put me off from the get go. HOWEVER many people do not use this word realizing its problematic, so, I could let this go.

I cannot let the rest of it go.

Let’s break it down.

THE ILLUSTRATIONS
The faces on the many people in this book are caricature like with emphasized faces (big teeth, big noses, etc) and smaller bodies. I did not find it visually appealing. The page layout is bright and busy. My kid testers (aged 5, 7, and 14) stated they didn’t care for the pictures and that some of it “Looked really weird.”

THE PROSE
It’s one of those rhyming books. Some rhyming books, like “The Gruffalo” roll off the tongue and are quite enjoyable to read and re-read. This one’s rhyme scheme reminded me of eighth grade poetry class when I had to compose a poem. I wanted to use the word “relocation” and could only come up with “station” as a rhyme so the resulting stanza made little sense to the point of the poem.

Examples:
“But, I can’t reach the sugar, so am I freak? Of course not, it makes me unique!”

You’re unique because you’re short, or because you can’t reach the sugar?

Or even better yet, on a page with the main character (the author) Elton John and John Lennon getting their walk of fame imprints, it reads:
“Ordinary is boring and same is lame. Having cool glasses can bring you some fame!”
Because all Elton John or John Lennon needed were some funky glasses?? You mean fame is what we need to reach for and our sight impairment will get us there????

And also,
“I’m a magician and make things disappear. After reading this book, you’ll have nothing to fear.”

Sigh.

Another criticism of the book is that it doesn’t meet its lower age range of “4 to adult.” With words and phrases like “motivational speaker,” “self conscious” and “empower,” as well as cultural references such as Elton John, it left my five year old lost, confused, and wondering when mommy would stop reading already.


THE MESSAGE

The only differences mentioned are minor body image issues such as wearing glasses, being short, or having a big nose. Weight, disability, bullying, lgbt and other pressing issues with young people today were not discussed at all.
The encouragement towards being different were platitudes that wouldn’t mean much to a young person facing adversity. “We’re all unique in our own special way,” doesn’t really help much when a person is being actively bullied.
The most dangerous message here though, is that responsibility for acceptance lies with the person with differences. “You’ll win the game when you start to believe that what makes you different will help you succeed.”
I was pelted with rocks at the bus stop for two weeks because I was a gender neutral kid. I was spat on, kicked and bruised. I held my ground I knew I had a right to stand at the bus stop. I believed in myself.
I was still hit with rocks.
I asked my son, who was also bullied at school, if that book would have helped him feel better about being teased for his differences.
“No mom, this book is a piece of crap.”
22 reviews14 followers
April 24, 2015
After reading this book which I won through Goodreads, it really made me wish it had been available when my son was in school and withstood so much bullying from his classmates.

The purpose of the book is to show that being unique makes you a special person which is something everyone needs to hear frequently.

The illustrations were very cute (I might say, unique!) and added a lot to the story.

Thank you, Jimmy Vee and Mike Motz, for a childrens' book that is not only a fun read but also important.
Profile Image for Sarah.
22 reviews11 followers
October 2, 2014
I picked up this book on a whim, because it was in the "Local Authors" section of my library. It is really cute and has a really great (and realistic) message. Basically the narrator says that being different makes you unique, and people may tease you for it but that shouldn't stop you from being happy that you are who you are.
This is a book that I would choose without hesitation if I was organizing an elementary school story-time.
Profile Image for Christy Venezio.
2 reviews1 follower
April 27, 2014
This book is an amazing example for everyone that we are all unique and that being different is an asset to who you are!! Whether your short or tall, have braces or freckles or have scars or not--we all are different, important and special. My children love this book and the message it sends and love that being different is awesome and celebrated!
Profile Image for Melissa.
1,228 reviews12 followers
August 7, 2014
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.

Cute and unique! This is a wonderful book to share with kids. The reading is easy and the illustrations are wonderful. Kids are sure to want to read this again and again. And parents will love reading it and showing kids that being different isn't a bad thing.
499 reviews6 followers
April 28, 2015
Little Jimmy might be small in stature but he has a mighty big message to share with young readers.

This book has bright and colorful illustrations and rhyming text. It encourages children to celebrate their uniqueness and the uniqueness of others.

In today's world this book is a great reinforcement to anti bullying and accepting the differences of others.



815 reviews6 followers
June 27, 2016
Good for grades prek-up.
Cute motivational book that addresses the many ways we should be proud of our uniqueness. Interesting and engaging illustrations!

received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads
Profile Image for Brenda .
629 reviews5 followers
January 15, 2015
This book is well written for a kids book. I think the topic that everyone is different is good. I think each child should know they are uniquely made and they don't have to be lie everybody else.
83 reviews
January 17, 2015
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway!

"Same is Lame" is an adorable book just made for children, though adults could benefit from reading it too. The illustrations are just beautiful! A must read for all children!
Profile Image for Gail.
1,549 reviews
April 25, 2015
This is a very cute story for young children that teaches them being different is OK. I really enjoyed reading it and I hope my granddaughter will too. Thanks again for the copy I won in the first reads free giveaway on good reads.
28 reviews
April 24, 2015
I am so glad I won this hardcover book in the first reads giveaway. Both my son and I loved it. Such a powerful message and wonderfully written.
55 reviews2 followers
March 1, 2018
Summary:
Jimmy is an adult who is only 5 ft tall, which is much shorter than any other average person. He enjoys being short, because he can do fun things like win limbo and play hide and seek. He also knows that there are many fun things for a tall person to do too, like make slam dunks. Jimmy also wears glasses, which makes him different but also relate to many other people. Jimmy knows that everyone is different and that it is good to be confident with the differences because as he says, “same is lame.” The thing that is unique about someone is just the same thing that will help that person stand out and feel different in their lives.

Possible Topics:
1. It is okay to be different than others.
2. Don't make fun of someone just because they have something unique about them.
3. Being different helps you stand out!
Profile Image for Lindsey Lawntea.
888 reviews17 followers
December 22, 2014
Disclaimer: I received a free physical copy of this book from LibraryThing Early Reviewers. I was not required to give a positive review. Special thanks to the author and publisher.

In our society, there is a lot of pressure put on people to measure up to a certain standard, and many of those standards have to do with physical appearance. If you don't measure up to that, you may be unfairly bullied or feel like you aren't good enough. Little Jimmy Says, "Same is Lame" is about the author, Jimmy Vee, who is five feet tall - as he says, an "unusually" short stature for an adult male! Little Jimmy also discusses his other differences before happily claiming that rather than making him feel inferior or bad, these differences make him unique and contribute to his success in following his dreams.

Via silly rhymes, Little Jimmy talks about many differences and how bullying and self-consciousness can make us wish we were the same as everyone else, without realizing that each difference gives us a certain benefit if we look at it from other perspectives. Throughout, the illustrations are humorous and exaggerate how different we are without being insulting or hurtful. The book begins with a carnival setting, which provides comic relief to the heavy subject matter.

This is a great book for children who are just entering the stage where they become aware of diversity and can help them learn to appreciate it. There is a blank page at the back that prompts children to write about "What's Unique About You?"

I do wish there had been other types of differences discussed, such as mental and physical disabilities or weight. Perhaps Jimmy Vee preferred to err on the side of caution, as some of these topics could be controversial, offend people, or be too big of a concept for younger children. If you are like me and would like to discuss more types of diversity with your young reader, there are many other children's books that address the same topic with an emphasis on other differences, so perhaps you could get a stack of them and turn it into a fun life lesson. I do think that "Same is Lame" definitely deserves to go in that book pile, however!
2,783 reviews43 followers
November 26, 2014
This delightful and colorful book is a celebration of the diversity in the physical appearance of people. The author is barely five feet tall and an adult, so he is a physical outlier. The title is a rhyming statement that everyone looking the same would be dull and uninteresting, the first arguments are a list of several advantages to being short. This is followed by the advantages of wearing unusual glasses and some of the other skills that the author possesses such as being a ventriloquist and a magician.
Other physical traits such as having a bald head, a large nose, a distinctive voice and having a prominent scar on your face are described as being advantageous, depending on the circumstances. The emphasis throughout is that being different is cool and there will always be ways in which those differences will be an advantage.
This book has some of the most visually attractive artwork that I have ever seen in a children’s book. The colors are very bright and attractive without being so dominant that they would overload the senses of a young child. The text is in short snippets, at most three or four sentences on a page and embedded around the images. The cover art is also very crisp with attractively colored images.
Children largely see differences between children but tend to ignore them and consider them inconsequential, but only to a point. That point is often too easily reached and should be avoided if possible. This book won’t help children ignore their differences but it will help them keep the mindset that differences are a positive thing.

This book was made available for free for review purposes and this review was posted on Amazon.
Profile Image for DelAnne Frazee.
2,027 reviews25 followers
August 31, 2014
Title: Little Jimmy Says, "Same is Lame"
Author: Jimmy Vee
Illustrator: Mke Motz
Publisher: Smith Publicity
Published: 8/4/2014
ISBN: 9780985478223
Pages: 32
Genre: Children's Fiction
Tags: Health
Overall Rating: 5.0 Excellent
Reviewed For: NetGalley
Reviewer: DelAnne


Jimmy might be little in stature, but stands ten feet tall in his pride of his uniqueness. In "Little Jimmy Says, 'Same Is Lame'" Jimmy tells how and every person is different in some way, but that is okay because what makes us different also makes us unique individuals. If we will embrace our uniqueness we will become special in our own way and begin to see others as unique as well. He tells how very tall people can do things shorter people have trouble with. He even shows us that scars are okay too. If you have something special about you then be proud of it.


Told in rhyming verse "Little Jimmy Says, 'Same Is Lame'" captures the interest of young readers and the bold, vibrant illustrations bring the story to life. Sharing the story with young readers, give you a chance to share an important fact with them that they are perfect just as they are. Pick up a copy and enjoy the time you share talking about this fantastic story.
5 reviews100 followers
February 1, 2015
“Same is Lame” focuses on an issue that we have all heard so much about in recent times- bullying and acceptance. We’ve all ben bullied. Everyone knows that bullying is a HUGE topic in schools today. It’s a big issue that every child and parent has to or will have to deal with. I know I was bullied in school. And now, I know that bullying is one of the major problems our children have to deal with in school. So how do we conquer bullying?

“Little Jimmy Says Same is Lame” by Jimmy Vee is a great picture book meant to, not combat bullying, but to help kids deal with being bullied. It teaches children to accept themselves, no matter what other kids make fun of them for. It teaches an important lesson- accept yourself.

Overall, I like “Same is Lame.” The message, the illustrations, the writing- all aspects of the book came together to create a message told in a way that grabs and keeps the reader’s attention. Much like Dr. Seuss books, “Same is Lame” uses rhymes and rhythm to keep the book flowing. There are a couple of times where an odd word or phrase throws off the rhythm of the book, but it kept me interested and reading along. I would definitely recommend it to any young reader or parent with a child struggle with bully issues.

I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Mymcbooks.
520 reviews15 followers
March 23, 2015
My Review: Little Jimmy is a five feet tall man. Little Jimmy Says, there is always an advantage of being tall. Tall people can hang pictures high up on the wall and some can dunk a basketball. But being short has its advantage too, like going under the limbo stick, wrestling and playing hide and go seek.

Whether you are made fun of wearing glasses, born small or big, having big or small nose, hair or no hair, having birthmarks or scars, doesn’t make you a freak but unique.

The message in this book is very encouraging not only for children but for adults. Discover why being different is actually cool. Being different should make you feel proud. So no matter what, just remember that you are unique and that being different has its advantages. As Little Jimmy puts it "Same is Lame". The illustrations by Mike Motz are bright, bold and colorfully which helps tell the story.



FTC Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from New Shelves Distribution in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion in any way.
Profile Image for Carolyn.
85 reviews7 followers
September 16, 2014
Marketing expert, magician, author and ventriloquist Jimmy Vee explains why being different is much more interesting than living an ordinary existence in this antibullying picture book.

Because I am different, it makes me feel proud. I’d rather stand out than blend in with the crowd.

Vee encourages young readers to celebrate their appearance and abilities while acknowledging (and even profiting from) the fact that they are not like everybody else.

Rhyming upbeat text and bright, colorful cartoonish illustrations depict children and adults wearing glasses, experiencing baldness, wearing braces, having a large nose, freckled, being a different height than your peers and having a facial scar. Young readers, especially with encouragement from adults, are invited to think about ways differences can be appreciated and ultimately be perceived as assets.
Profile Image for Sarah Sallans.
66 reviews9 followers
February 2, 2015
As a mom of 3 beautiful girls, and a step daughter ( yes, 4 girls ) I am always on the look out for books that can leave a great impression on them, teach a lesson, and push them to be who they want to be in life. To build confidence and make them feel great about themselves.

This book does just that - Little Jimmy helps children of all ages see how important it is to be yourself! The pages are full of color, the characters have great expressions and it's an all around fun read. This is a book I would love to see in my daughters school, at family friends houses and anywhere it can reach a child. Sometimes our children feel the need to not be themselves and it's great to see someone showing them that it's okay to be who they are. Every child should know it's okay to be different, without the worry that someone will judge.

This book is fantastic and well loved by this proud mom!
Profile Image for Alinka Rutkowska.
Author 65 books292 followers
December 25, 2014
"Same Is Lame" by Jimmy Vee and brilliantly illustrated by Mike Motz is great addition to every child's bookshelf. It has a profound message of learning to accept ourselves as we are and embrace our differences. It's written in a very humorous and witty manner with the rhyme being unforced in most of the text.

This book is very engaging, colorful, bright and brilliantly illustrated.

Team Vee + Motz did an excellent job and I'm looking forward to more books by this duo.

Alinka Rutkowska, award-winning children's author of Maya & Filippo Look for Whales
Profile Image for Maureen Timerman.
3,254 reviews495 followers
December 5, 2014
A book everyone should own, and for children it will help them accept their differences. With rhyme and illustrations galore we visually see differences pointed out in a comical and yet non-threatening way, everyone is different, and yet the same.
This book will be displayed on our coffee table, and the boys want it shared and they did try to talk without moving their mouths. Even the title of the book makes me smile.
There are a lot of great messages that so important to pass on to our youngsters, this should even be a mandatory read for all.
I received this book through New Shelves Distribution, and was not required to give a positive review
Profile Image for Ellen Keyes.
115 reviews14 followers
September 9, 2014
Little Jimmy is for everyone! His message not only will help readers find self-acceptance but also to understand that everyone is different and we should appreciate what makes others different rather than finding fault!
Whether you're a parent, grandparent, teacher, mentor, or concerned friend, this book should be part of your library. The discussions that come from reading Little Jimmy will surprise and delight you! It also makes a great gift for people of all ages! The illustrations are engaging and colorful! Kids will read it over and over!
Profile Image for Judy.
30 reviews
April 22, 2015
I love this book! I got it through Goodreads First Reads and it is total delight. The illustrations are beautiful and interesting, and the pages glossy. It's so important to let children know it's wonderful to embrace both their own differences and those of others (I have a lawyer and an engineer who love sports and classic rock so this is right up my alley). I laughed out loud when I got to the page about glasses. Thank you Jimmy Vee.
Profile Image for Carol.
1,770 reviews22 followers
September 17, 2014
This short and to the point picture book does a great job of showing kids that it is okay to be different. Our differences are what make us special and unique. It would be very boring if everyone was the same. The bright and colorful illustrations will capture the child's interest and the rhyming text will stick with them.
Profile Image for Gigi.
385 reviews32 followers
May 24, 2015
The message in this book is very positive. Little Jimmy takes conditions commonly known as disabilities or differences and highlights their positive possibilities. Some of the rhyming text is a bit awkward. The illustrations are big and the pages are filled with bright colors.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews