Proud To Be Me by Polly Daktilly is an important and visually appealing children’s book designed to help readers of all ages understand the nature and value of physical differences and to help children with physical differences develop self-confidence, self-acceptance, and self-love. The text is straightforward, easy to read and understand, and introduces new words and concepts with solid text and visual support through artful and lighthearted illustrations by Rick Korab. Korab’s images, with their palette of bright colors and cheerful characters, radiate positivity and seem to be lit from within—a perfect complement to the book’s message. Proud to Be Me features a wide range of characters with physical differences, ensuring its lessons will have significance and meaning for many readers.

The overarching simile in Proud to Be Me by Polly Daktilly compares people to plants in a flower garden, with every type of plant necessary for the garden to be beautiful. This positivity is reflected on every page. Proud to Be Me is a little book with a potentially significant impact—one that could, and probably will, change young people’s lives for the better. While vital to children with physical differences, its message is equally important for children without physical differences to hear and understand. An important and meaningful book, Proud to Be Me by Polly Daktilly presents an inspiring truth our children desperately need to hear. A copy of this marvelous book should be in every classroom and library worldwide.