We're Really All Just the Same

An Ian Book of the Year award finalist.

"We Are Really Just the Same"  is a timely life lesson inspired by a four-year-old boy, that all children and adults should hear. One sunny day in New York City, the author, Rod Cornish, was walking with his son, Roen, when Roen made an observation and inspiring conclusion that gave rise to this book. Roen, who is biracial, having a Lithuanian mom and African American dad, looked up at his dad and said, "Daddy. Your skin is darker, and mine is lighter." Before Rod could give him "The Talk" regarding race and differences that probably would have confused him, his next beautiful comment left his father speechless and proud in its childlike simplicity and profoundness. Roen said, "It's OK. We are really just the same", and this book was born. By celebrating and acknowledging how we are each unique, wonderful, beautiful, and different in our own special way, Rod leads us to realize that: "We are really just all the same." Written in beautiful prose and with vibrant, children-relatable illustrations, discover another important lesson for us all: "So you just be you, and I'll just be me. Let's help one another along life's journey."