The first time I read the book to my kids, I thought it was an emotional experience. In this story here was a child who wanted to be accepted and to have friends so badly. He knew he was different and the turmoil he was going through was evident but in a touching and compassionate way. As a parent, this is another one of those books that really makes you want to hug your children when you're done reading it. You know that eventually they'll probably go through the same struggle as sweet little George and you hope that their outcome will be as great as the character's.
You can relate to the story from the first page whether you're 35 or five. From the first page of the book, you understand that sweet and nervous George is different from the rest of his new class that he'll be joining for the first time soon. You see his desire to fit in and make friends from the very beginning.
I asked my children when we read this book all together what they thought the message of this book is. "What does this story tell you?" I asked. My five year old told me that he thought that the message of the book is that even if you're scared you still have to be yourself in order to make real friends. What an insightful observation from a five year old that just started kindergarten.
My daughter responded that she got the message of acceptance from the book. To accept those who are different and to help them feel at ease in their surroundings so they can be "themselves". There aren't any two people who are just alike, and there isn't anyone who doesn't have faults.
I saw both messages in the colorful and wonderfully illustrated book George Hogglesberry Grade School Alien. I found it to be a delight to read to my children and they found it a delightful story to listen to.
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