If you really think about it, much of our self-image has a lot to do with what we are told by others as they judge and/or evaluate our behavior, appearance, abilities or lack thereof, and so on.

All of this business, this patterning of thinking, begins in childhood. Parents and others tell us we are good or bad depending on the circumstance.

Others offer their opinions. We are, in a lot of ways, conditioned to believe that what others say about us is in fact, who we are.

We should allow each person to “make themselves up” so they can be who they are, not what we want them to be.

Today's reviewed books reflect this idea in three ways. After all, being able to understand others and accept differences begins with self-acceptance, and the best root of self-acceptance is a self-image we've made, not one created by others.

Books to BorrowThe following book is available at many public libraries.“Ruby in Her Own Time” by Jonathan Emmett, illustrated by Rebecca Harry, Scholastic, 28 pages; read aloud: age 3 and older; read yourself: age 7 and older.Ruby is the littlest of five ducklings. She was the last to hatch, the last to eat, the last to swim, the last to do everything the other ducklings did.Her father worried that Ruby would never catch up, but Mother Duck knew better, and gently told Father Duck that Ruby would do all these things and more, “in her own time.”Beautifully written and illustrated, this selection will make readers feel good all over while providing an important thought about the beauty of allowing each person to grow at their own pace.

Librarian's ChoiceLibrary: Mars Public Library, 107 Grand Ave., MarsLibrary Director: Mary Jo SimonsChoices this week: “Do Not Open This Book!” by Michaela Muntean; “The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians” by Carla Morris; “Time Soldiers” series by Kathleen Duey

Books to BuyThe following books are available at favorite bookstores.“The Terrible Thing that Happened to Barnaby Brocket” by John Boyne, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers, Alfred A. Knopf, 2013, 279 pages, $17 hardcover; read aloud: age 8 and older; read yourself: age 10 and older.Barnaby Brocket is just like any other 8-year-old except for one peculiar thing: he floats. From the moment he was born, Barnaby wasn't able to stay on the ground.His parents have never liked anything or anyone that is different, and so having a son who floats is a horrific embarrassment to them.Finally fed up with it all, Mr. and Mrs. Brocket come to a decision — they will literally cut Barnaby loose from his family and let him float away.Barnaby's journey takes him to many distant lands where he meets all sorts of people who share their life stories and in so doing, influence Barnaby in many ways, especially to accept himself for who he is and that being different is perfectly normal.This fable-like story is charged with imagination, a cast of very colorful characters, and conveys important messages about accepting differences — both in others and in yourself.Perfectly complemented by the delightful illustrations of Oliver Jeffers, “The Terrible Thing that Happened to Barnaby Brocket” is at once profound, heartfelt, funny and quite magical.“true colors” by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock, Alfred A. Knopf, 2012, 242 pages, $16 hardcover; read aloud: age 9 and older; read yourself: age 11 and older.Ten years ago, kind-hearted Hannah found a 2-day-old infant wrapped in a threadbare quilt on the doorstep of her farm in Vermont.Hannah named her Blue and took her into her home, her life, and her heart. Even though Hannah was old enough to be Blue's grandmother, the two became a family filled with love, hard work, and good values.Blue always wanted to know more about the mother who abandoned her, and began to feel that need more strongly than before, discovering small clues that she believed would lead to being reunited with her mother.But between strained relations with her best friend Natalie, Hannah's accident that landed her in the hospital, and a host of other events, Blue discovered a lot about herself, about others in her small community, and what family and friends and love really are.Beautifully written, true colors is an insightful, warm novel of self-discovery, acceptance, and of what is most important in life.