Review of People Are Like Lollipops by Annie Fox

Title: People Are Like Lollipops
Author: Annie Fox, llustrator: Brian Narelle,
Publisher: Electric Eggplant
Date published: January 2013
Age Range: 3-7

Summary: When children first start school, they begin to notice that all people don’t all look, or dress, or talk alike. With simple words and delightful illustrations that shine a People Are Like Lollipops helps kids understand that in spite of all these superficial differences, when it comes right down to it, all people are just people. And that’s something to smile about!

Annie Fox’s picture book, People Are Like Lollipops, may not be a brand new book, but it is still a relevant one. First published in 1971, this 2013 edition of the book uses all new illustrations to show how people may come in different sizes, colors, and “wrappers,” but they’re all “just people.”

The message of this short book is clear, and uses a metaphor that even the youngest of children will understand: lollipops. The illustrations remind me of the books I read in the 80’s in their color and simplicity. Although not the flashiest book, it successfully tells its message in a way that children should appreciate. This book is available in Paperback and for Kindle.

About the Author:

Annie Fox, M.Ed., has been teaching and creating innovative content for kids for 30+ years. People Are Like Lollipops (Holiday House), her first book, was published before she was old enough to sign the contract. Since then Annie has designed classic kids’ computer games and written award winning books including the popular Middle School Confidential™ series  (Free Spirit Publishing), her Raymond and Sheila picture book series  (Electric Eggplant), and Teaching Kids To Be Good People: Progressive Parenting for the 21st Century (Electric Eggplant). Annie’s excited to bring  this reimagined edition of People Are Like Lollipops to a new generation. Contact Annie at AnnieFox.com.

About the Illustrator:

Brian Narelle started out writing and animating for Sesame Street. Since  then he has written and appeared in dozens of award winning films and  television series for children, including the TLC’s Bingo & Molly. Creator  of such notable characters as the San Diego Chicken and Sooper Puppy,  cartooning has always been his love. An instructor at the Charles M.  Schulz Museum, he was one of five American cartoonists chosen to go to Cuba on a cultural exchange where he fell in love with people of every color, size, and shape. Sound familiar? His latest creation is a tri-colored  bird (Thinkafeeladoo.com) designed to help children better understand themselves. Brian can be reached at BrianNarelle.com.