Arthur thinks he doesn't like his long nose, but comes to realize it's part of what makes him who he is. (Ironically, the author, Marc Brown, didn't take this lesson to heart, and the Arthur we know today on television no longer has a long nose!)

Leo doesn't do all the things he "should" be doing, but his mom has confidence that he'll do them when he's ready, and he does.

This one is a classic — rather than jumping around and butting heads like all the other bulls, Ferdinand likes to sit quietly and smell the flowers. Luckily, his mother understands, and Ferdinand gets his day in the sun after all.

The protagonist is teased about her long and unusual name, until the problem is resolved in a most satisfying way. And Kevin Henkes captures schoolyard teasing, and caring parents, perfectly.