I received a copy of Half-Popped for review purposes. All opinions are my own, as always. Affiliate links may be included.

Our four-year-old has a lot of questions about diversity these days, and I mean that in every possible way. She wonders why different folks have different color skin, different hair length, different laughs, and different shoe sizes. She is particularly interested, though, in the fact that different people seem to have different personal interests and preferences for activities and ways to pass the time. Basically, she is just really starting to grasp that people are DIFFERENT in a whole lot of ways, and that while it may seem overwhelming or even a little sad (especially when your BFF doesn’t enjoy playing something you do, for example), our differences are actually what make us special and what make the world interesting and even exciting.

Half Popped has been a regular read for us since Christmas. It is about Kenny the Kernal. He was only half-popped when the microwave stopped, and he feels like he isn’t what he is supposed to be because he doesn’t look the same as the other popped kernals. I think every human can relate to that feeling in some way. The feeling that you should be more or different.

Despite his own lack of confidence, Kenny seems to be a great cheerleader for some of his fellow snacks who are also feeling out of place. The book is full of funny illustrations and great examples of how we are so much more than meets the eye.

And in the end, Kenny even sees that for himself.

Half-Popped is a great jumping off point for conversations about difference, gifts and talents and what it means to be true to yourself. It is currently available on Amazon for $8.99.