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Gently used with light wear on the cover and corners. May have some writing or highlighting. Dust jacket or extras might be missing. May be ex-library copy. Ships direct from Amazon! Gently used with light wear on the cover and corners. May have some writing or highlighting. Dust jacket or extras might be missing. May be ex-library copy. Ships direct from Amazon! See less
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One Hardcover – October 1, 2008

4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 1,171 ratings

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Blue is a quiet color. Red’s a hothead who likes to pick on Blue. Yellow, Orange, Green, and Purple don’t like what they see, but what can they do? When no one speaks up, things get out of hand — until One comes along and shows all the colors how to stand up, stand together, and count. As budding young readers learn about numbers, counting, and primary and secondary colors, they also learn about accepting each other's differences and how it sometimes just takes one voice to make everyone count.
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

EMBRACING DIFFERENCES

From Booklist

*Starred Review* There are many stories about bullies, but few have looked at the subject in such an attractive, original way. Using round splashes of watercolors as their personas, Otoshi introduces a group of colors. Quiet Blue likes looking at the sky. The other colors have their own characteristics: Orange is outgoing; Green is bright; Purple is regal. Red, though, is a hothead and likes to tease: “Red is hot. Blue is not.” Blue feels bad, and though the other colors comfort him, they’re afraid of Red. In a dramatic and effective spread, Red, feeling mean, grows into a bigger, ever-angrier ball. Enter One. The sturdy numeral wins over the other colors with laughter, making Red even madder, but when he tries his bullying ways on One, One stands up to him. The other colors follow, turning Red into a small ball. He is rolling away when Blue gracefully offers him a chance to be counted. The use of colors and numbers gives the story a much-needed universality, and there is a visceral power in the “strength-in-numbers” gambit (although it should be noted that it can work for ill as well as good). Otoshi cleverly offers a way to talk to very young children about the subject of bullying, even as she helps put their imaginations to work on solutions. Preschool-Grade 1. --Ilene Cooper

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ KO Kids Books; 4th Printing edition (October 1, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0972394648
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0972394642
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 2 - 6 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 510L
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10 x 0.5 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 1,171 ratings

About the author

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Kathryn Otoshi
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Kathryn Otoshi is a multi-award winning author/illustrator and national/international speaker best known for her character-building book series, “Zero”, “One”, and “Two”. She goes to schools across the country to encourage kids to develop strong character assets, and helps teachers find customized, creative methods to engage and connect with their students through art, reading and the power of literature. Her latest book, “Beautiful Hands”, co-authored with Bret Baumgarten, is a call-to-action book reminding kids to use their hands to do something positive and inspirational for each other and our communities. Her upcoming book, “Draw the Line”, about boundaries and conflict-resolution, will be coming out in 2017.

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
1,171 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story engaging and delightful. They appreciate the positive message about bullying and the appropriate stance kids can take. The book is suitable for all ages, including toddlers. It features simple yet beautiful illustrations in watercolor paint splotches. The writing style is simple yet bold, making it easy for parents to read and re-read. The color content reinforces primary learning while taking an emotional approach. Overall, customers find the book a great resource for discussion and education.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

206 customers mention "Message"203 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the book's message about bullying. They find it a good book for kids about standing up against aggression and supporting others. The story centers on bullying and feelings, with lessons on speaking up against aggression, supporting each other, and reaching out. Readers mention that the book gives them confidence from its words and discussions.

"...of saying no and and standing together in a really accessible and non-preachy way...." Read more

"...It’s a moving story about friendship and standing up for yourself and others. It resonates with kids and they want to hear it over and over...." Read more

"A beautiful book. Love the message and we read it often, my boy knows all of the words." Read more

"...recommend this book as a gift for young children (2-5) as it teaches important lessons." Read more

205 customers mention "Story quality"205 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story and artwork. They find it delightful, compelling, and a great book for students of all ages. The art is simple and appealing, and the writing is simple yet engaging. Readers praise the author's skill in creating simple stories.

"...Maybe the most lovely moment of the book is when blue invites red to count too....red becomes 7 and joins in...." Read more

"...It resonates with kids and they want to hear it over and over. Best book I’ve found in years!" Read more

"A beautiful book. Love the message and we read it often, my boy knows all of the words." Read more

"Kathyrn Otoshi is a very accomplished writer of simple stories...." Read more

81 customers mention "Age range"81 positive0 negative

Customers find the book suitable for all ages. It has an engaging storyline that even toddlers can understand. The message resonates with elementary students of all ages.

"...The lessons in this book are timeless and no one is too old to benefit from this story. I teach my students that Art is Powerful!..." Read more

"...This should be required reading for children and adults alike!" Read more

"...Obviously it appeals to primary grades, but if I create a proper set-up, I bet I can use it even all the way through secondary grades...." Read more

"...This book has something for every age. I teared up the first time I read it. Simple, sweet, powerful." Read more

59 customers mention "Visual quality"59 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's visual quality. They find the illustrations simple yet beautiful, with watercolor paint splotches. The story is thoughtful and not overpowering. The pictures are wonderful, creative, educational, insightful, and fun. The kids love the colors and story.

"...just received this for her 6th birthday, and it is maybe the most unique new idea I have seen in children's books in a really long time...." Read more

"...The illustrations are so simple and so real. you can actually see the blobs of paint animated and doing "human" quality things...." Read more

"...The author is absolutely genius in her use of color and creative language to bring home such an awesome lesson about standing up for yourself and..." Read more

"...They loved it too and had a great message about bullying! The illustration is great! My grandson colored the pictures onto his own drawings...." Read more

57 customers mention "Writing style"57 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's simple writing style and bold illustrations. They find it easy for parents to read to their children and re-read. The book is well-written with few words and plenty of white space.

"...' personalities just standing there - but so much more beautiful and simple than an "afterschool special type" book illustrated with actual kids can..." Read more

"...Simple enough for a 2 year old to enjoy and simple enough for a parent to read and re-read every night and not be nauseated...." Read more

"...One" is a simple book with few words and lots of white space on the pages...." Read more

"...The minimalist pages and bright color will surly hold her interest and the underlying lesson. Is perfect. Love it." Read more

42 customers mention "Color content"42 positive0 negative

Customers like the book's color content. It teaches colors, numbers, and how bullying works. The illustrations are simple watercolours, but the message resonates long after the last page. They say it's great for children learning colors and numbers and the power of sticking together.

"...since they are just blobs of paint, but somehow Otoshi gives the colors such personality you can see kids' personalities just standing there - but..." Read more

"...The author is absolutely genius in her use of color and creative language to bring home such an awesome lesson about standing up for yourself and..." Read more

"...The story is cute, the colors and numbers are a great way to keep a young child entertained, and the storyline is something school aged children can..." Read more

"...It's a book about colors! I'd love to share this story with my daughter/son/any child where they see themselves as the hero...." Read more

21 customers mention "Discussion value"21 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and useful for starting thoughtful discussions. They say it's a great way to start conversations about empathy and standing up for yourself. The dialogue allows for dramatic readings and is a moving story about friendship and standing up for yourself and others. Readers appreciate the illustrations, font, and context that make the book relatable and important.

".../person can change the world, the book invites discussion with parents and classmates and teachers, and that is what excites me most of all...." Read more

"...It’s a moving story about friendship and standing up for yourself and others. It resonates with kids and they want to hear it over and over...." Read more

"...only takes one." Pretty cute story that can lead to a great group discussion...." Read more

"...grade classroom, armed with questions, and we had an amazing conversation about the times that the kids may have been Red, or Blue, or any of the..." Read more

21 customers mention "Number content"21 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's number content. They find it creative and engaging, introducing numbers 1-7 and colors. The book cleverly combines math, art, and self-esteem in an enjoyable way.

"...only does it teach, colors and their assumes emotions, it touches on counting to seven and MOST IMPORTANTLY it shows that it only takes one person..." Read more

"...The book makes use of just colours and simple numbers to tell the story. Everyone can identify with the "characters"...." Read more

"...He is interested in the numbers, and I love introducing to him colors, and of course the lesson to stand up for yourself...." Read more

"...My two-year-old also loves the counting component. As they get older, there will be more and more that they can take from it...." Read more

Great book. My 4 year old may not understand ...
5 out of 5 stars
Great book. My 4 year old may not understand ...
Great book. My 4 year old may not understand all the meaning of it yet but she sure love to look thru and tell all the colors. Sometimes she look thru pictures and tell me the story by herself.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2008
    I am so moved by this book, I barely know where to start writing about it. My daughter just received this for her 6th birthday, and it is maybe the most unique new idea I have seen in children's books in a really long time. If this doesn't become a bestseller, it's a crime.

    Using the metaphor of colors, Otoshi gently creates a group of kids with different personalities. Blue is quiet and contemplative, yellow is sunny, green is bright, purple is regal, orange is outgoing, but red is HOT -- a bully, who picks on blue. The others colors are sympathetic and like blue and commiserate, but don't tell red to stop, and red becomes bigger and stronger until everyone is bullied and afraid and there seems to be nothing they can do. (This part of the story actually subtly but hauntingly echoes that story about the Holocaust when they come after one group and then another and when they come after the storyteller there is no one left to help).

    But then the story shifts when "1" arrives. He stands up to red and gives the other colors the courage to do the same. As they find their courage they shift from shapeless colors into numbers -- answering to "1" declaration to say no when picked on with "Me Two" and "Me Three." The metaphor rolls on nicely when blue declares he wants to "COUNT" as well. And when red, in desperation, bullies blue again, blue becomes 6. When red attacks, the numbers stand together, and red becomes small.

    Maybe the most lovely moment of the book is when blue invites red to count too....red becomes 7 and joins in. The final message of the book is that "sometimes is just takes One."

    In today's world, this is such an important message. One person has and can change the world, and it's a small act that can do so. We never know how our actions can make a difference. Even in it's this books's most simple interpretation, with bullying is such a critical issue on the playground today, this book sends the message of saying no and and standing together in a really accessible and non-preachy way. It's hard to understand how since they are just blobs of paint, but somehow Otoshi gives the colors such personality you can see kids' personalities just standing there - but so much more beautiful and simple than an "afterschool special type" book illustrated with actual kids can do it.

    On the wider message, that one action/person can change the world, the book invites discussion with parents and classmates and teachers, and that is what excites me most of all. This book should be in every classroom and on every child's bookshelf. I plan to get it immediately to donate to my daughter's classroom in honor of her birthday, and I suspect it will be a primary feature in "Stand Up To Bullies Day" which I think is coming soon.

    Please by this book for a child as a gift. It is my absolute favorite thing my daughter received for her birthday.
    109 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2024
    I’ve read this book to my kindergartners and also older and younger students. It’s a moving story about friendship and standing up for yourself and others. It resonates with kids and they want to hear it over and over. Best book I’ve found in years!
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2024
    A beautiful book. Love the message and we read it often, my boy knows all of the words.
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2024
    I highly recommend this book as a gift for young children (2-5) as it teaches important lessons.
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2024
    My kids loved this book for awhile. It's especially great while they are learning to count and are going to school and experiencing a variety of new interactions with other kids. We would talk after about other kids that weren't being nice. We try not to say bully because younger kids, sometimes just haven't been given the resources to understand acceptable behavior. The book shows how people were being mistreated but also shows the opportunity for change.
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2024
    Great lesson on bullying
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2014
    Kathyrn Otoshi is a very accomplished writer of simple stories. Simple enough for a 2 year old to enjoy and simple enough for a parent to read and re-read every night and not be nauseated.
    The illustrations are so simple and so real. you can actually see the blobs of paint animated and doing "human" quality things. I will leave it at that so as to not expose the entire story. We've got a serious bunch of laughs out of this one, and lessons on compassion and love on several nights. I also noticed that it makes little kids think about what they do (actions) and how they do it, and believe it when I say that this book has resulted in some humane qualities coming out strongly in our son.

    I also reviewed "Zero" her other book that came after "One", here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2231631XURCBL
    and all I can say is that she has done justice to her prior art.

    This book comes with a dust jacket that is very delicate and prone to scratches. Since a 2 year old doesn't care for the details there, I strongly recommend parents take off the dust jacket as soon as the box arrives and store in away neatly. That way the book will continue to look good for a long time.
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2015
    Okay, so I could write a book about this book! That's just how wonderful it is. I am a Art teacher with my own program in a public school and I teach art from an approach that brings out the creativity in every child; not just those who can paint and draw. I love sharing life lessons through art and that's just one of the things I love about this book. The author is absolutely genius in her use of color and creative language to bring home such an awesome lesson about standing up for yourself and others. I read this book to all of my classes which start a pre-school and end with 6th grade. The lessons in this book are timeless and no one is too old to benefit from this story. I teach my students that Art is Powerful! I count this story as a tool in my box of instruments to drive this fact home. One of my 5th grade students actually had the opportunity to meet you at her old school and she was so excited to share this with me when I finished the story. Thank you Kathryn Otoshi for One because in my class Everyone Counts!!!!
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Lore O
    5.0 out of 5 stars Todos podemos ser como One: Valiosos
    Reviewed in Mexico on June 14, 2024
    A mi peque de 4a le interesó bastante la historia ya que son números y colores, está muy bien explicado y los motiva a ser más valientes y valiosos como 1.
    Muy lindo los colores, el embalaje, bien cuidado. Recomendable para peques de Kinder o + que necesitan aprender a poner límites
  • Placeholder
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must have book
    Reviewed in India on January 15, 2025
    Its one of the books in my collection that i love. Very good for kids and adults. Nicely told story. Highly recommend book.
  • Flavia Almeida
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sensacional!
    Reviewed in Brazil on August 23, 2020
    Um excelente texto! História leve e ludica sobre um tema importante em uma edição super caprichada. Boa para os menores por trazer cores e números e também para maiorzinhos aprofundando a interpretação. Super valeu a pena!
  • hayes
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful story with a beautiful message
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 16, 2021
    This is a stunning book, the story has a really lovely message about sticking up up yourself and for others and how 'one' can make a difference. I read it with my 3 and 1 year old regularly and it's one they ask for again and again.
  • RO-81
    5.0 out of 5 stars Molto bello
    Reviewed in Italy on November 5, 2019
    Storia meravigliosa contro il bullismo