Something Else by Kathryn Cave and Chris Riddell

This was the winner of the first UNESCO Prize for Children’s Literature and it’s easy to see why. The endearing (and enduring) main character who is called Something Else tries to fit in but he simply doesn’t. No matter how hard he tries, he is just too different from everyone else to belong. Then one day a Creature turns up at his door and Something Else finds he is no longer alone. The importance of tolerance, and accepting others for what they are in spite of differences, is dealt with very well. The novel illustrations have a Dr Seuss quality about them which gives this book a classic look to complement an age-old topic.