Every K-3 Student Will Receive 'Different Is Awesome' Book Thanks To Friends Grant

‘Different Is Awesome’ is a book by Ryan Haack about a little boy who brings his older brother, who was born with one hand, into his class for show-and-tell. Thanks to a grant written by Rachel Leavitt, a first-grade teacher from the Coffin School, and funded by The Friends of the Marblehead Public Schools, every elementary student will be receiving a copy of this book.

Rachel was inspired to write this grant because of an experience she had when her son, who was born with a physical disability, read this book and shared it with his kindergarten class and in hope that it will inspire others to celebrate difference. She recently shared her story with the elementary teachers in the district in a letter which she also shared with us. It reminds all of us on the Friends Board why we volunteer to help fund such impactful and meaningful grants and how special our teachers are for doing so much for the social, emotional and educational well being of our students.

“Dear Colleagues, 

I am pleased to inform you that through a generous grant from the Friends of the Marblehead Public Schools every K-3 school in the district will get a copy of Different is Awesome by Ryan Haack. In the book, a boy brings his older brother born with one hand for show-and tell. The students in class ask the brother about all the things he can do, and realize he can do everything they can, just a bit differently. This book helps teach children that we are all different and unique. 

As a first grade teacher in the district, I always start my year with an All About Me unit. Not until my own child was born with a physical disability, did I realize that we do not have a wide library of books on physical disabilities. Last year, another colleague gave me this book to read. When I presented it to my son at bedtime, I shed many tears, and we discussed how being different is awesome. Later in the week, my son brought the book to school  on his own and asked his teacher to read the book to his kindergarten class. 

In the beginning of his kindergarten year, many children asked my son about his disability and why he was born that way. He struggled to explain the situation to others overtime.  This book opened his eyes to realizing that while he may look different he is AWESOME.  

When the teacher read the story, he sat very close by, and asked the teacher if the students could ask him questions in a show-and-tell like setting similar to the book. After the lesson was complete, each child wrote about what makes them special. My son, for the FIRST TIME IN HIS LIFE, wrote about his arm. He included all his scars! It took our breath away when he brought it home from school. It is now framed on our mantle! This book changed our family’s lives and I hope it will inspire others. 

- Rachel Leavitt, First Grade Teacher Coffin School” 

Note about what makes him special, now framed above the Leavitt’s manel.