SWEET SUZY. EVERYONE IS SPECIAL

Suzy can’t paint or sing, but her friends help her recognize her special talents.

Suzy, a white duckling with a red scarf and orange bill and webbed feet, is discouraged. She doesn’t seem to have any abilities that set her apart. But she isn’t ready to despair. Instead, she visits her friends to see what makes them special. Monkey is painting. Congenial Capybara is lying in the grass with his friends (“I like being around people”). Rat is sitting on a log, laughing at his own jokes. Signposts scattered throughout offer real-life animal facts—"capybaras are superkind to everybody,” and "some rats start laughing when their tummy is tickled.” Suzy easily recognizes her friends’ talents, but upon returning home, she still can’t identify her own strengths. Luckily, her friends join her and explain the skills they’ve noticed her displaying during her visits—she’s a great listener, and she’s very determined, for instance. Suzy learns that she is indeed special, and she is no longer sad. The story itself is a bit on the didactic side, but the fun facts make it less so. The last line—“What’s your special talent?”—is a great discussion prompt for little ones. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Will quietly build self-esteem and appreciation for a multitude of talents.