It was the first day of Kindergarten, and as Maya looked around the classroom, she saw so many different children. Some children had blue eyes. Some had brown eyes. Some had fair skin and freckles or tan skin or olive skin. Some looked like Maya, with dark brown skin. There were children with blonde hair and red hair and brown hair and black hair. There were curls and braids and ponytails and short haircuts. There were small kids and tall kids and in-between kids. Maya thought to herself, We are all so different!

One little girl with green eyes and red hair came up to Maya. "Hi!" said the girl. "My name is Sophie. What's your name?"

"My name is Maya!" Maya replied. "Are you excited for Kindergarten?"

Sophie nodded her head. "Yes! But I'm also a little nervous. I don't know anyone, and I'm worried about making friends."

"Don't worry. I'll be your friend!" Maya replied, with a smile.

The two girls continued talking, and Maya realized that even though they looked very different on the outside, they also had a lot in common. Like Maya, Sophie loved playing soccer. They both loved pizza. Both girls' favorite season was summer. And they both had birthdays in September.

However, as the conversation went on, Maya realized they were different, too. Sophie grew up on a farm in the country, and Maya grew up in an apartment in the city. Sophie didn't like cats, but Maya loved them. Sophie's parents were divorced, and Maya's parents were together. Sophie had three brothers, and Maya was an only child.

Maya thought to herself, How interesting... We can be different and similar at the same time!