We’re All a Little Bit Askew — And That’s What Makes Us Wonderful!

If you’ve ever felt just a little bit different — maybe your hair sticks out funny, or you’re shorter, taller, louder, or quieter than everyone else — you’re in very good company! In fact, everyone has something slightly askew. And that’s not just a line from my children’s book — it’s a truth that makes life far more colorful, compassionate, and fun.

A World of Differences
Imagine if we all looked the same, talked the same, and thought the same. Life would be like a row of identical ice cream cones — neat, but terribly boring! The beauty of humanity (and childhood!) lies in our differences. Some are big, some small, some visible, and others hidden deep inside.
In Everyone Has Something Slightly Askew, we meet a cast of delightfully unusual characters — a woman with hair growing from her feet, a man with monkey bars coming out of his ears, a potter with too many arms, and even a pair of Siamese twins who learn to work together thanks to their extra eyes.
It’s all whimsical, of course, but beneath the rhyme and humor lies a gentle truth: being different isn’t bad — it’s just different. And often, what seems odd or challenging can turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

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What’s Your “Askew”?
Every child, every adult, has something that makes them feel “askew.” Maybe it’s a physical trait, a medical condition, a learning challenge, or even a quirky personality trait that others don’t always understand.
For many children, those differences can feel like heavy burdens — something to hide or fix. But what if, instead, they were seen as part of what makes each child special? What if the thing that feels like a flaw is actually a spark of originality?
In my story, I use humor to show that what might appear “freaky” or odd can have surprising benefits. The woman with hairy feet can dance and dust at the same time! The man with monkey bars for ears can hang upside down without a care. The potter with extra arms makes dinner and dishes in record time!
It’s all a reminder that our oddities can become our superpowers if we learn to look at them differently.

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Real Kids, Real Challenges
Of course, not every “difference” is funny or imaginary. Some children face real-life challenges — like diabetes.
In Everyone Has Something Slightly Askew, I gently touch on this reality. Kids who rely on insulin pumps or monitors might sometimes feel left out or self-conscious. But these children show incredible courage and discipline every single day. The infusion set, pump, and careful monitoring of blood sugar are all part of their unique rhythm of life — one that allows them to stay healthy, strong, and happy.
It’s a lesson in adaptability and gratitude. Just as the whimsical characters in my book find joy in their oddities, children with medical needs can find pride in their resilience. Their strength inspires everyone around them.

Teaching Kids to Celebrate Uniqueness
So how do we help children embrace their “askew” parts — and respect the differences they see in others?
Here are a few simple ideas:

1. Talk Openly: Encourage conversations about differences — whether physical, emotional, or cultural. When kids see that differences are normal, they learn compassion and confidence.
2. Share Stories: Books like Everyone Has Something Slightly Askew help children laugh, question, and accept in gentle, entertaining ways.
   
3. Model Acceptance: Kids notice how adults treat others. When we show kindness to everyone — regardless of their “askew-ness” — children follow our lead.
4. Celebrate Strengths: Help children identify the hidden good in their quirks. Maybe that “too much energy” means a great athlete, or that “quiet nature” means a brilliant listener.
5. Use Humor: Laughter is one of the best teachers. When kids can laugh kindly about the human condition, they relax into being themselves.
   
   

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The Deliciousness of Differences
At the end of the book, I compare human variety to flavors of ice cream — and I mean it! Imagine a world where every cone was vanilla. How dull! It’s the swirl of chocolate fudge, the sprinkles, the caramel ribbons, and the surprising little crunches that make it exciting.
Our world works the same way. Every person adds their own flavor — their creativity, kindness, courage, and individuality — to the mix. Together, we create a joyful, delicious variety called humanity.
So, whether you have freckles that pop like stardust across your nose, or hair that can’t quite behave, or a talent for something no one else understands — treasure it. These are not mistakes. They are masterpieces in disguise.

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A Message for Parents, Teachers, and Grandparents
As adults, we can help children internalize this idea. When a child points out someone’s difference, that’s a teaching moment. When a child feels embarrassed about their own, that’s a loving moment.
Stories like Everyone Has Something Slightly Askew open doors for these heart-to-heart talks. They remind us all that “askew” is not a flaw; it’s just part of being marvelously, miraculously human.
And sometimes, the very thing we wish away in ourselves turns out to be the gift that makes the biggest difference in the lives of others.

What’s New with You?
If everybody has something slightly askew — and we do — then we can all relax and smile a bit more. Maybe we’ll dance like the lady with hairy feet or laugh at the funny shapes life gives us.
We can remember, as the story says:
“Enjoy your oddities, your differences, your specialness,
Just as you enjoy your sameness.”
And that’s the secret to being happy — learning to love ourselves, just as we are, and letting others do the same.

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f you’d like to share this message of joy, kindness, and self-acceptance with the children in your life, you’ll find Everyone Has Something Slightly Askew — and many other happy, heartfelt picture books — at Sally Huss’s website