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Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
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Same, Same But Different Hardcover – Picture Book, September 13, 2011

by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw (Author, Illustrator)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 819 ratings
Teachers' pick
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Elliot lives in America, and Kailash lives in India. They are pen pals. By exchanging letters and pictures, they learn that they both love to climb trees, have pets, and go to school. Their worlds might look different, but they are actually similar. Same, same. But different!

Through an inviting point-of-view and colorful, vivid illustrations, this story shows how two boys living oceans apart can be the best of friends.

Previous page
  1. Reading age
    3 - 8 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    40 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    1 - 2
  5. Lexile measure
    AD460L
  6. Dimensions
    10.32 x 0.4 x 10.16 inches
  7. Publisher
    Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
  8. Publication date
    September 13, 2011
  9. ISBN-10
    0805089462
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0805089462
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“There is considerable usage potential here, from art projects to classroom community projects to diversity awareness projects…there's also plenty of pleasure to be found just in sharing the thoughtful story and perusing the artwork.” ―BCCB

“Young readers will close the book longing to have a friend from another place; for schools with global partnerships, this will be a go-to book for introducing these projects to classrooms.” ―Horn Book Magazine

“The imaginative multimedia illustrations, drawn in an animated, childlike style, add vibrant color and rich details to the story. Kostecki-Shaw presents a meaningful message of inclusivity in this engaging title.” ―SLJ

“Working in exuberantly detailed spreads with a playful sense of proportion and perspective, she [Kostecki-Shaw] immerses readers in her heroes' worlds, showing them as confident navigators of even the busiest landscapes. On every page, readers will sense they're in the company of a generous, open-minded talent.” ―PW

“Purposeful, but saved from didacticism by the sheer exuberance of the illustrations; the accessible text introduces the idea of traditional two-way communication and demonstrates just how small our world can be.” ―Kirkus

About the Author

Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw is the author and illustrator of Like You, Like Me (Jan 16, 2024, a modern companion to Same, Same but Different), Luna & Me: The True Story of a Girl Who Lived in a Tree to Save a Forest; My Travelin' Eye; and Same, Same but Different, for which she won the Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Award and the South Asia Book Award. A graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute and The Illustration Academy, Jenny lives with her family on their homestead in the mountains of Northern New Mexico. She homeschools her two children, raises Nigerian Dwarf goats, and writes and paints in a little a studio her family made with their own hands - and lots of mud.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition (September 13, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 40 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0805089462
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0805089462
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 - 8 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD460L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 1 - 2
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.32 x 0.4 x 10.16 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 819 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw

Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw

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Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw is the author and illustrator of Like You, Like Me (Jan 16, 2024, a modern companion to Same, Same but Different); Luna & Me: The True Story of a Girl Who Lived in a Tree to Save a Forest; My Travelin' Eye; and Same, Same but Different, for which she won the Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Award and the South Asia Book Award. A graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute and The Illustration Academy, Jenny lives with her family on their homestead in the mountains of Northern New Mexico. She homeschools her two children, raises Nigerian Dwarf goats, and writes and paints in a little a studio her family made with their own hands - and lots of mud. She invites you to visit her at www.jennysuekosteckishaw.com or on instagram @jennysuekosteckishaw

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
819 global ratings
Inspiring children’s book. Promote racial and ethnic harmony.
5 Stars
Inspiring children’s book. Promote racial and ethnic harmony.
I bought this copy for my little free library, But I have decided to keep it for my own collection of Childrens Books. The illustrations are superior and the images quite engaging. The text and messages are heartwarming and promote diversity and ethnic Harmony. It’s a book that we need right now. Thank you to the author for such insightful words during difficult times!
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Top reviews from the United States

Gwen J. Styke
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful story to support increased understanding of other cultures
Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2022
Verified Purchase
Beautiful story about two children from different countries across the world who become pen pals - encourages young children to imagine what it would be like to live in another country across the world, to speak another language, to live in another culture and family structure, to live and learn in a different part of the world, and to develop increased understanding and empathy for people who live in other parts of the world. A beautiful, beautiful book with exceptionally beautiful artwork. Very appealing and engaging for young children. I read this book in four Kindergarten classrooms this week, and the students were very engaged with this story and the illustrations.
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Matthew Brenner
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book about the people who live in India, not its myths and legends - Strongly Recommended
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2016
Verified Purchase
This book is a rare find that introduces India as a living place, not a myth.

I wanted a book to read my three year old when my wife went on a business trip to India. I wanted a book that was about India as a real country, not a place of myths and dated stories. I did not just want a big book of facts. Wow, did "Same, Same but Different" deliver! My son loves it when we read about Elliot and Kailash. We can talk about how both boys ride a bus to school and how those buses are different.When my wife came home, she could sit with him and talk about how the part of India she visited - more urban than the book's setting - compared with what the pictures show.

The illustrations are beautiful, and it is a pleasure to read and discuss with my son. If someone in the family is traveling to India, or if you just want a book about a different culture that relies on the real world and not stereotypes or myths, this book is a great choice.
16 people found this helpful
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A.F.
5.0 out of 5 stars I want Sequels!
Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2020
Verified Purchase
This is such a wonderful book. My daughter turned Eliot into a girl, and that made me happy that the author chose a gender neutral name so my daughter could relate to the material (being that this is seemingly about two boys -but not strictly, it's easy to foresee non binary roles if you'd like) - this writer is so good, and creative - the imagination in the characters, the artwork and the story is just lovely. I could actually see sequels to this - with the same patterning but different family types (beyond seemingly nuclear US families) and into other countries/regions where children can learn about other cultures. it's inspiring. SO WORTH THE PURCHASE! <3
5 people found this helpful
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Mackenzie
5.0 out of 5 stars Every teacher needs this book!
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2022
Verified Purchase
This is such an amazing book! I used it with my first grade class and they loved it. The pictures are fun and the story is life changing. I recommend this for every elementary teacher and parent with younger children.
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Heidi Grange
5.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction to cultural differences and similarities.
Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2012
Verified Purchase
I enjoyed reading and sharing this book. Not only is the language simple and straightforward, but the illustrations compliment the writing perfectly. The illustrations are bright and colorful and highlight the similarities and differences between the two boys. I've really come to love collage as an art form and this book demonstrates the characteristics that make collage so unique. I had a fun discussion with a group of kindergartners about the different materials used in collage I had a fun discussion with a group of kindergartners about the different materials used in collage and how that effected the feel of the book. It was great.

It was interesting to listen to the comments of the children as they looked at the pictures illustrating some of the differences between the places that Elliot and Kailash live. The elephant on the same street as cars, pedestrians and carts especially caught their attention. This book provides a nice way to introduce to children the idea that people in other places are both the same and different as they are.
6 people found this helpful
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Book Mom
5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect book!
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2022
Verified Purchase
This book is perfect for classrooms! I read it at the beginning of the year to build community, to discuss similarities and differences, and to learn about other cultures. It’s one of my new favorites.
2 people found this helpful
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Dee Elbee
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring children’s book. Promote racial and ethnic harmony.
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2020
Verified Purchase
I bought this copy for my little free library, But I have decided to keep it for my own collection of Childrens Books. The illustrations are superior and the images quite engaging. The text and messages are heartwarming and promote diversity and ethnic Harmony. It’s a book that we need right now. Thank you to the author for such insightful words during difficult times!
Customer image
Dee Elbee
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring children’s book. Promote racial and ethnic harmony.
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2020
I bought this copy for my little free library, But I have decided to keep it for my own collection of Childrens Books. The illustrations are superior and the images quite engaging. The text and messages are heartwarming and promote diversity and ethnic Harmony. It’s a book that we need right now. Thank you to the author for such insightful words during difficult times!
Images in this review
Customer image
Customer image
12 people found this helpful
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ann m
4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful story
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2022
Verified Purchase
Loved it!
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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MT
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing message and story format
Reviewed in Spain on December 21, 2023
Verified Purchase
Amazing message and story format
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Archana Nagarajan
1.0 out of 5 stars This is such a bad book
Reviewed in Germany on September 27, 2019
Verified Purchase
I bought this book seeing wonderful reviews here on Amazon. I am an Indian living outside my country and my child wanted to know why she looks different than the others and other similar questions. This book is full of stereotypes like, Indians live in joint families (22-23 family members!), there are bullock carts, elephants and camels on the road, we have peacocks dancing everywhere, we revere the cow, and we love yoga! I guess there are ways to talk about cultural differences and this book fails miserably in having any sensitive approach. Also, I have lived almost 30 years of my life in India and have never heard anyone say, "same same but different". Please avoid this book
One person found this helpful
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Leandro
5.0 out of 5 stars We all are different and the same at the same time
Reviewed in Australia on March 13, 2023
Verified Purchase
This book is an important material to talk with kids about how plural the human being can be.
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Leandro
5.0 out of 5 stars We all are different and the same at the same time
Reviewed in Australia on March 13, 2023
This book is an important material to talk with kids about how plural the human being can be.
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ana
5.0 out of 5 stars Great sevice
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 30, 2017
Verified Purchase
Great!
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spitisa
5.0 out of 5 stars un livre sur la tolérance
Reviewed in France on June 22, 2018
Verified Purchase
Deux enfants vivant aux antipodes correspondent et en parlant de leur vie et de leur famille, se rendent comptent que bien que vivant différemment ils sont pareils. Un livre parfait pour inculquer de belles valeurs aux enfants, en anglais.
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