In today's world, many people judge others by their differences. People who are insecure about their own abilities are too quick to hold others up to scrutiny.

Susan Epps Ward knows that this doesn't have to be the case. Children don't care about race or gender. They just want to have someone to play with. In this new children's book, Ward, with the help of the newly discoveredillustrator Carrie Hewell, spins a sweet story about accepting others' differences and finding out what makes you special. By helping children focus on self-esteem and self-acceptance, she teaches them important social skills that they will use all their lives. People who are comfortable in their own bodies are more likely to see the good in others, not just the differences.

I'm OK follows a group of children as they form a special band of friends. Tommy is short, but Shannon is tall. Joey is big, and Noah is scrawny. They don't let these differences stop them from having fun!

Use this book as a starting point for a discussion with your children about friendship, acceptance, and self-esteem. You can start encouraging them to think about what makes each of their friends special and unique.