Identity Crises and the pressure to conform can sometimes seem overwhelming. The author creates an indescribably unique picture book about “a proud normal girl” wanting to be herself, wearing a uniform of “brown pinafores, plain black headbands and brown shoes with the shoelaces triple-knotted.” She takes a brave journey all the way to Norway, then comes to appreciate herself as being different.
Her parents alone- her mother, a tiara designer and father, fighting his own identity crises, are nothing short of, as one of the reviews stated- “a parable about growing up in contemporary Williamsburg with parents who wean you on Colette and the Ramones.”
We live in a society where every step of the way is pre-calculated, defining what we/it should be. No one has the answer to anything, let alone originality, spontaneity of character – Let it be! It reminded me in many ways of the avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama’s story. It is wonderful to be different!
Recently I read the story to a young student of mine. When I asked her opinion about the book, Tamako exclaimed:” Normal is boring! Can we be different?” OF COURSE!
Allowing our children to be present with their own personalities, to be who they are, is a key to a happy child.
