Toucan Be Different

Have you ever felt like Toucan? Are you different from other kids? Maybe you think your hair is too curly, or your smile is crooked. Maybe you think you are too short or too tall. Or maybe you wish you were someone else. Follow Toucan throughout the story as he discovers how diverse and amazing the world can be and learns to love himself for the way God made him.

From the Author:
When I was growing up, I was a chubby kid, and my last name was STOUT. Do you know what stout means? Stout means "somewhat fat." And of course, kids teased me about that. One guy even called me marshmallow! Being teased about our differences can leave us feeling self-conscious and sad. But how we look on the outside is really only part of who we are.

From the Illustrator:
I was always the weird kid when I was young. I still am! I had different interests than other kids in my classes. When other students were playing sports or following the latest craze, I was drawing by myself or learning about strange animals. The wonderful thing about all of this was that I found myself looking for the outcasts and the kids without friends. I loved being a friend to those who looked lonely or were struggling to make friends. I found other kids with different interests or abilities were actually the most extraordinary of them all!

Just like Toucan does in this book, we have learned that it is our differences that make us unique and special. If we all looked alike, talked alike, or acted alike, this world would be a very boring place. God made each of us special for a reason. We are made in His image. Every one of us has weaknesses and strengths. Our hope is that this book helps us to stop comparing ourselves with others and instead encourages us to celebrate how wonderfully and uniquely each of us were made.